24th July 2026 // Rural News

India and New Zealand to establish kiwifruit centres Live ammunition found in wool prompts safety warning Animal and Plant Health Sector Recognises Long-Standing Contributors   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   India and New Zealand to establish kiwifruit centres New Zealand and India are working together to establish four kiwifruit centres of excellenceacross India, aimed at improving productivity for local growers under the countries’ free tradeagreement. Dr Stephanie Montgomery, programme manager for New Zealand’s Bioeconomy ScienceInstitute, is leading the Green kiwifruit project, with the first centre planned for Nagaland innorth-east India. The project will focus on knowledge transfer, orchard production and supply chain capability,rather than sharing commercially protected varieties. Montgomery says Indian growers have been welcoming and keen to improve production, butthe project faces challenges including steep, high-altitude orchards, limited soil data andpoor roading. Zespri says the FTA also provides greater certainty to grow demand in India, with kiwifruitreceiving zero tariffs on an initial 6200-tonne quota.   Live ammunition found in wool prompts safety warning The discovery of live rifle ammunition and a shotgun cartridge at a Hawke’s Bay woolprocessing plant is prompting an urgent safety warning across the wool industry. Eight live rounds were found in May at Woolworks’ Awatoto factory, after wool from multipleNorth Island farms had been combined. The source farm cannot be identified. Chief executive Rosstan Mazey says the rounds were found in a tray beneath the woolopening equipment, creating a serious health and safety risk for workers. He says farmers, shearers and wool classers need to be more vigilant inside woolsheds,particularly around duck shooting season when spent cartridges and live ammunition may bepresent. The National Council of NZ Wool Interests and New Zealand Wool Classers Association areurging everyone in the supply chain to ensure only wool goes into bales.   Animal and Plant Health Sector Recognises Long-Standing Contributors Two individuals with decades of service to New Zealand's animal and plant health sectorhave been recognised at the annual APHANZ Awards dinner in Wellington. Gavin Kerr received the Outstanding Contribution Award for five years as APHANZ chair,during which he oversaw the merger of two legacy industry associations into APHANZ andestablished the Emerging Leaders Forum. The President's Award went to Awilda Baoumgren, Specialist Adviser Veterinary MedicineRegulation at MPI's ACVM team, recognised for more than a decade of pragmatic,evidence-based regulatory advice that has strengthened the working relationship betweenindustry and government. Acting APHANZ board chair Fraser Hodgson says Awilda exemplifies the consistent,approachable leadership that underpins good regulatory practice — and ultimately supportsbetter outcomes for New Zealand farmers and animal owners. APHANZ chief executive Liz Shackleton says the awards highlight the people who deliverprogress through expertise, pragmatism and collaboration across the sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.