23rd April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Labour gives India deal green light Farmer steps up for NZ First Chanel backs NZ fine wool Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.   Labour gives India deal green light The India Free Trade Agreement now has the parliamentary numbers to pass, after Labour this morning confirmed it will support the deal — ending months of political uncertainty. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the party studied the full text and legal advice before agreeing to come on board, but he raised concerns about a commitment to promote up to twenty billion US dollars of New Zealand private sector investment in India over fifteen years. Hipkins described the target as very unrealistic and warned India had reserved the right to claw back concessions if that investment level was not achieved — a risk he said businesses needed to understand. Labour secured several concessions during negotiations, including funding for fourteen additional labour inspectors focused on migrant worker exploitation, faster visa processing, and a commitment to progress a joint Modern Slavery Bill through Parliament. The agreement is set to be formally signed in New Delhi on Monday.   Farmer steps up for NZ First Staying with politics, Southland Federated Farmers President Jason Herrick has been announced as a New Zealand First candidate for the Southland Electorate at November’s general election. The Southland dairy farmer and business owner has more than thirty years on the land, and has been a strong voice on local government regulations, rural mental health, and environmental issues. New Zealand First says Herrick brings real-world experience to the role, with leadership spanning school boards, community groups, and his position as an executive member of Federated Farmers Southland, where he has served as president since twenty twenty-four.  Herrick, who was voted advocate of the year at the 2025 Federated Farmers AGM, says he stands for common sense, fairness, and backing rural communities — and is focused on strengthening the economy and restoring balance to decision-making for everyday New Zealanders.   Chanel backs NZ fine wool French luxury fashion house Chanel has invested in a joint venture to part-own and support Lammermoor Station in the Central Otago high country. Lammermoor is New Zealand's largest organic farm and only certified organic fine wool producer. Chanel plans to build on that status by achieving Regenerative Organic Certification, which would make Lammermoor the world's first certified regenerative organic fine wool farm — boosting export value and cementing New Zealand wool's reputation for quality and sustainable production.  Lammermoor's New Zealand owners retain a stake in the joint venture and will continue to live and work on the station.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.