25th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Colin Hurst elected Federated Farmers president China Business Summit puts trade relationship under scrutiny a2 Milk declares three-hundred million dollar special dividend 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.   Colin Hurst elected Federated Farmers president South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst has been elected as the new president of Federated Farmers, with Gisborne farmer Sandra Faulkner voted in as vice president at today's annual general meeting in Auckland. Hurst says his focus will be ensuring farmers' voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made. He paid tribute to outgoing president Wayne Langford, saying he had been a phenomenal leader who transformed and modernised the organisation. Faulkner farms with her husband near Gisborne across sheep, beef, cropping, citrus and farm forestry, and has served on the national board for four years. She says there is significant work still to do, particularly as new RMA and local government legislation will shape how future generations farm. Mark Hooper retains his board position, with Richard Dawkins and Karl Dean holding their meat and wool and dairy chair roles respectively.   China Business Summit puts trade relationship under scrutiny New Zealand's largest trading relationship is under the spotlight in Auckland today at the twelfth annual China Business Summit, as business and political leaders weigh commercial interests against a shifting geopolitical landscape. China remains New Zealand's biggest export market by a wide margin — nearly twenty billion dollars in goods last year, close to double the combined total of the next two largest markets. China is also our largest source of imports at eighteen-point-five billion dollars and our third-largest source of international visitors. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges says while New Zealand has been moving closer to traditional security partners, commercial ties with China must be protected. He says in contrast to the uncertainty surrounding US trade policy, China has positioned itself as a predictable and reliable partner. The Middle East conflict has added complexity — exposing both countries to oil supply vulnerabilities and accelerating New Zealand's uptake of Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles, solar panels and technology. Beijing hosts APEC in Shenzhen later this year, adding further diplomatic weight to the summit's timing.   a2 Milk declares three-hundred million dollar special dividend a2 Milk has declared a three-hundred million dollar special dividend to be paid on July twenty-fourth, following Chinese regulatory approval earlier this week for the company to transition its infant formula product registrations to the a2 brand. Chair Pip Greenwood says the dividend reflects the company's commitment to delivering shareholder returns while maintaining disciplined capital management. The approval from China's State Administration for Market Regulation concluded the final step in a2 Milk's acquisition of the Pokeno facility, with all necessary regulatory hurdles now cleared.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.