7th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Costa Rica joins Trans-Pacific trade partnership Research to review deer hunting buffer zone rules Government to wind up Broadcasting Standards Authority 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.   Costa Rica joins Trans-Pacific trade partnership New Zealand meat, dairy and horticulture farmers are among the immediate winners as Costa Rica formally joins the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Sheep meat, seafood, horticulture and wine all gain full tariff elimination from day one, with more than ninety-four percent of New Zealand exports to Costa Rica entering duty-free immediately — rising to over ninety-nine percent within ten years. Beef becomes tariff-free after eight years, with dairy duties falling to zero over thirteen years. The CPTPP now spans a growing number of economies across the Asia-Pacific region, and its continued expansion is important for New Zealand's preferential market access at a time of increasing pressure on rules-based trade globally.   Research to review deer hunting buffer zone rules Research is underway that could reshape food safety rules for commercial and recreational deer hunters, with current restrictions being called too blunt. Under existing rules, deer cannot be killed and supplied for food processing within a two-kilometre buffer zone around a brodifacoum bait station, with restrictions remaining in place for three years after the poison is laid. That puts large areas of land off-limits to commercial hunters for extended periods. The Bioeconomy Science Institute and Lincoln University will lead the research, bringing together experts in deer behaviour, toxicology, statistical modelling and bait station design. The goal is to move away from a one-size-fits-all model and replace it with rules backed by the best available evidence. The research is due for completion in November, after which officials will review the findings for any changes required to current rules. This is likely to be a topic of discussion at the Deer Industry New Zealand Conference in Palmerston North next week.   Government to wind up Broadcasting Standards Authority The Broadcasting Standards Authority is set to be disestablished, with the Government moving to replace it with industry self-regulation as New Zealand's media landscape continues to shift. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says the current framework was designed for a broadcasting environment that is rapidly disappearing — and no longer reflects how audiences consume content across streaming, podcasts and online platforms such as CountryWide Connect. The expectation is that the New Zealand Media Council, which already oversees print media and some broadcasters, will become the primary regulator for journalism. Goldsmith says self-regulation is the most practical way to level the playing field across platforms. Legislation to repeal the relevant provisions of the Broadcasting Act will be drafted in the coming months. The BSA will continue operating until that legislation passes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.