25th August 2026 // Rural News

Nine-Point-Seven million dollar fund to tackle goats and deer in National Parks DairyNZ reappoints board director and committee member MPI Opens applications for On-Farm Support Science Scholarships   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   Nine-Point-Seven million dollar fund to tackle goats and deer in National Parks Wild goats and deer in six of New Zealand's most important conservation areas are in the sights of a new nine-point-seven million dollar, four-year funding package announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The funding, drawn from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, will enable targeted control across Whanganui National Park and Waitōtara Conservation Area in the North Island, and Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes, Westland Te Tai Poutini and Fiordland National Parks in the South Island. Potaka says when left unchecked, wild goats and deer cause significant damage to native vegetation and impact productivity for neighbouring farmers and land managers. The programme builds on previous IVL investment covering more than one-point-two million hectares of public conservation land. Work includes eradicating the identified goat population in Nelson Lakes, protecting goat-free areas in Kahurangi and continuing the deer management programme in Fiordland.   DairyNZ reappoints board director and committee member North Canterbury farmer Cameron Henderson has been reappointed unopposed as a DairyNZ board director and deputy chair for a further three years, with Waikato's Johanna Burton also reappointed unopposed to the Directors' Remuneration Committee. DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says Henderson is well respected within the sector for his progressive and pragmatic South Island voice, first elected to the board in 2023. Burton brings extensive experience across CRV, Fonterra and LIC. Both reappointments will be formally acknowledged at the DairyNZ Annual Meeting in Northland on November fourth. One vacancy remains on the Directors' Remuneration Committee — an ideal governance entry point for farmers interested in the role. Contact [email protected] for more information.   MPI Opens applications for On-Farm Support Science Scholarships Six scholarships worth five-thousand dollars each are on offer for agricultural and horticultural students wanting to pursue careers in the primary industry advisory sector. MPI's On Farm Support Science Scholarships, now in their fourth year, are open to students completing or having completed their first year of study in agriculture, horticulture, science, forestry or viticulture degrees. Past recipients speak highly of the mentoring aspect — with connections to discussion groups, industry professionals and career pathways cited as highlights alongside the financial support. Six former recipients have already secured employment across the primary sector. Applications close September twenty-eighth at five pm. Further information is available on the MPI website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.