1st September 2026 // Rural News

NAIT levies rise today — thirty-nine percent increase on ear tags despite farmer opposition Road freight industry warns fuel tax delay will erode road network investment Homekill and hunted meat sharing rules to be reviewed for the first time in two decades   WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.   Apple: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ   NAIT levies rise today — thirty-nine percent increase on ear tags despite farmer opposition Farmers are facing higher livestock tracing levies from today, with NAIT ear tag prices rising thirty-nine percent to one-dollar-thirty-five for deer and cattle, and slaughter fees up twenty-eight percent to one-dollar-ninety-one per cattle beast. OSPRI's board confirmed the increases despite sixty-three percent of submitters opposing them during June-July consultation, citing concerns about affordability, governance and confidence in delivery. The increases will fund a long-overdue replacement of the NAIT software, which has been criticised for being difficult to use — particularly on mobile devices. OSPRI deputy chief executive Simon Andrew says the system needs to be modernised to work effectively on phones, tablets and desktops, and will link with third-party systems including LIC's MINDA. The levy increase also addresses a one-point-three-eight million dollar funding shortfall from historic undercollections of beef and dairy levies. Industry bodies DairyNZ and Beef and Lamb New Zealand supported the increases during consultation.   Road freight industry warns fuel tax delay will erode road network investment New Zealand's road freight industry is warning that reduced investment in the road network will drive up costs for consumers, as the Government announces a scaled-back fuel excise increase ahead of the election. The Government confirmed it will not proceed with planned increases of twelve cents per litre in January 2027 and six cents in 2028, instead phasing in five-cent increases from 2028 to 2030. A one-point-four-seven-six billion dollar alternative funding package will bridge the gap. Transporting New Zealand chief executive Dom Kalasih says fuel excise and road user charges haven't increased since 2020, while road construction costs have surged — eroding the real purchasing power of the National Land Transport Fund. He warns poor roads increase freight times, spike maintenance costs and waste fuel — costs ultimately passed to consumers on supermarket shelves. Kalasih says the next government will face difficult trade-offs regardless of what is promised.   Homekill and hunted meat sharing rules to be reviewed for the first time in two decades The Government is seeking feedback on changes that could make it easier to buy an animal directly from a farmer and get it processed sooner, while also clarifying rules around sharing hunted meat. Under current rules, buyers of live animals must show they actively cared for it for twenty-eight days before a listed homekill provider can process it. Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says those rules haven't been reviewed in twenty years and need to catch up with how people live, farm and share food today. The consultation also looks at whether recreational hunters can more widely share hunted meat — including donating to foodbanks. Hoggard says unclear rules are putting people off, despite meat being the most requested and expensive item for foodbanks to provide. There are no proposed changes to the ban on selling homekill or hunted meat. Labelling requirements are also proposed if restrictions on who can eat homekill are relaxed. Consultation closes October fifth at mpi.govt.nz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.