The Country 19/12/25: Nathan Guy talks to Jamie Mackay

The newly-appointed special trade agricultural envoy.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This was yesterday's big news story on the agg front.
The Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McLay, has announced
the appointment of Nathan Guy, former Minister for Primary Industries,
as New Zealand's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy. Hey Nathan, great
to have you on the show. I really appreciate your time.
You're going to be great in this job because you've

(00:20):
got not only a national profile, but an international profile.
And this job surely is all about networking.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yes, that'll be a big part of it, Jamie, thanks
for your kind words. I'm very pumped about the opportunity.
Briefings have already started with m FAT catching up with
MZTE and the new year. There's a real focus on
India and the Gulf States and making sure that I'm
waving the flag for our farmers and exporters. So I'm
really excited about it.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
Todd mcclay's doing great work trying to get this FDA
across the line with India. Have you been on board
while that's been happening and wearing any of your other hats.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
I keep in close tat with the Minister. I've been
well appraised of how the negotiations are going. It sounds
and feels like they're progressing very well, and we just
wait and see from the Indian side when they are
ready to announce. That might be the early part of
next year. Who knows. We're just waiting to see. Will
be significant for our primary sector in particular, I think

(01:22):
it'd be great for our lamb sheep farmers and exporters,
very big market, very big opportunity. Then if I put
my state role on, it'll be significant I think for
Kiwu fruit apples and in particular also honey. So exciting
opportunities ahead.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
How are you going to fit all this in? Because
you're not only a dairy farmer and Haafanua, you're the
chairman of the Meat Industry Association, Independent Chair of Apriculture
New Zealand and as I understand that you're going to
milk the cows on Christmas morning, Nathan, Well.

Speaker 2 (01:55):
I'm going to help our guys out, yeah, on Christmas morning.
I've always it's been pretty good at time management. Being
a minister means you're always time poor. I've got a
bit more time than I once had, but it'll be
very strategic and I've seen the impact that I want
to be very constructive and very focused on what I
want to try and achieve for the New Zealand government

(02:16):
in the primary sector. So yeah, wonderful opportunity, Jamie. And
it'll be up to me to manage the expectations back
home and also on the farm and across the other
roles that I have. But I reckon I can do
it and I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running.

Speaker 1 (02:32):
Hey, Nathan guy, before I quickly let you go, how's
horror fine?

Speaker 2 (02:34):
I'm looking oh pretty good, Jamie. Nice drop of rain
earlier this week, A little bit full cast for this weekend.
We're tracking quite well. A lot of silence being made,
actually feeding a little bit out at the moment. Went
through a dry spell just covering a couple of little
short patches near so I think we're in. We're in
pretty good. Heart in the know. We're a bit disappointed

(02:55):
about the payout announcement this week, but I'm always optimistic
that hopefully things will turn next year, so we'll wait
and see.

Speaker 1 (03:04):
Wow, you've got a good old farm and come now
you'll be right, Nathan, Hey, thank you very much for
your time. You'll do a great job. Merry Christmas. Happy
New Year to you and Erica and all the family.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
Good on you, Jamie, and to you and yours cheers mate,