24th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Farm wages rise three percent in 2026 Todd McClay leads delegation to New Delhi for India FTA signing Ticket sales now open for this years Fieldays 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. Farm wages rise three percent in 2026 Farm worker pay across New Zealand's agricultural sector has risen a modest three percent on average this year, with wage growth levelling off after a sharp post-pandemic surge, according to the latest Federated Farmers-Rabobank Farm Remuneration Report. The average farm worker salary rose to seventy-two thousand seven hundred and seventy- eight dollars, though standout gains were recorded in some sectors. Arable machinery operators saw a thirty percent jump to over eighty-two thousand dollars, reflecting growing demand for skilled operators as on-farm technology advances. Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Karl Dean says the moderation is consistent with broader labour market trends, noting farm wages grew an extraordinary thirteen percent between twenty twenty-two and twenty twenty-four. Rabobank's Bruce Weir says the total package value — including benefits like vehicle use, meat, and power allowances — averaged seventy-seven thousand dollars, and the sector's strong recent performance makes agriculture an increasingly attractive career option for young New Zealanders.   Todd McClay leads delegation to New Delhi for India FTA signing Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay in enroute to New Delhi to sign the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, leading a cross-party delegation of MPs and more than thirty New Zealand business representatives. Negotiations on the landmark agreement concluded in December, and signing follows Labour's confirmation yesterday that it will support the deal through Parliament giving the government the numbers it needs. The agreement eliminates or reduces tariffs on ninety-five percent of New Zealand's exports. From day one, almost fifty-seven percent of exports enter India duty-free — including sheep meat, wool, and most forestry products. McClay will also mark Anzac Day at a dawn service in India before hosting a joint New Zealand-India business summit with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He will also stop in Singapore for trade and investment activities on the return journey.   Ticket sales now open for this years Fieldays And less than 50 days to go until Fieldays, with tickets now on sale for the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton from June tenth to thirteenth. For South Island farmers making the trip north, there is extra incentive this year. South Island ticket buyers who purchase before the eleventh of May will automatically go in the draw to win two thousand dollars cashback to help cover travel costs. More than twelve hundred exhibitors will take part with sites nearly sold out, covering everything from cutting-edge agri-tech and farm machinery to innovation hubs, career pathways, and sector insights. Tickets and full details are available at fieldays.co.nz, where purchasers also have the option to donate to the Rural Support Trust at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.