August 11, 2026 • 42 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Jane Smith, and Mike Petersen.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay and the Azuzu m Ux s
u V, backed by a six year warranty.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Fantasy the Still Melt Get a New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
I'm Jamie McKay back at the Country's HQ and Dunedin
after a couple of days and traffic jams and Queen's down.
Another story for another day, because we've got a big story.
The nation is waiting with baited breath to see what's
going to happen at the Beehive. They've been in Matt
caucus room since nine thirty. We've got our spies up there,
(01:00):
bring it to you as soon as we find out.
Several MPs. The latest I've got is several MPs were
seen briefly outside the caucus room, probably out for a
cup of tea or a smoke or something. I don't
think people smoke these days, do they? But I'm sure
it's quite intense in there. Musical theme today, I'm a
big Haul and Oates fan, out of touch for the
(01:20):
National Caucus. She's gone for Erica. Maybe man Eater for Erica.
Maybe private Eyes. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
In that caucus room. Right, We've got an interesting show
lined up for you. It's a moving feast. We're going
to go to Wellington as soon as we find anything else.
(01:40):
Nathan Guy, he's on the show today in his capacity
as chair of the Meat Industry Association as a part
of our Meat Matters Week. But I guess his past
occupation is a National MP and Minister for Primary Industries
from twenty thirteen to seventeen. I think we can pick
his brain and see what he rets is happening now.
(02:01):
Jane Smith, if you think there's tense situations in the
caucus room at the beehive, she said, it's been even
more tense a leadership battle in the sheepyards on her
North Otago farm. She's going to talk about the four
hundred dollars lamb, brick bats and baucats and who gets
a vote this year. Mike Peterson, former Chair of Beef
(02:23):
and Lamb New Zealand Special or former Special ad Trade
Envoy these days, the current chair of Scales Corp. He
knows a thing or two about meat. They sell a
hell of a lot of pet food. We're going to
talk to him and also about horticulture. Will get his
views on politics as well. He's tread the corridors of
power quite a bit in his career, and then we
might take a bit of a break from the politics.
(02:44):
Campbell park A, chief executive of Derry en Z Plantain.
Could it be our savior? It's all on the Country.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Meat Matters Week on the Country with PGG writes and
Livestock the local knowledge and nationwide livestock expertise.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Well, Nathan guy, you heard the intro were meant to
be talking about meat. But it would be remiss of
me not to pick your brain before we get onto that.
You're well connected in the National Party. What's the inside oil, Nathan.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Come on afternoon, Jamie. I don't know any more than
you know on this one.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Well, I'll tell you can I can? I just make
an observation because I was traveling back from Queenstown, YESTERDA.
I had three and a half hours to kill and
that wasn't getting out of the traffic jam in Queenstown.
I've got to stop going on about it. So I
was listening to Heather and Barry and I was making
a few phone calls to some people in the know,
and it would appear to me that late last night
(03:56):
when I was networking away that it looked like Chris
Luxon toast it looked like Erica Stanford had the numbers.
But the tide seems to have turned this morning, and
I'm hearing commentators say, Nathan guy, the longer this meeting lasts,
the better chance Chris lux And keeping his job.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
Who knows. I've been in these situations before, Jamie. It's
not pleasant. These guys should really be focusing on campaigning
and getting out in their electorates and up and down
the country talking to people about the issues that matter,
not focusing and on internal politics and leadership squabbles. It's
most unfortunate. Personally, I hope that Christopher Laxon remains the PM.
(04:40):
I've got an amazing relationship with him where he created
it way way back when we had a bit of
RGI bargie and he was ce of in New Zealand
and I was Minister and wanted to do a few
things on biosecurity, run a video and he didn't like
the video one of his own, so we had a
bit of a squabble about that. And then when he
was ce also thereon ZEDDI stop the flights out of
(05:01):
Carpany to Auckland, so we had another go around and
then we smoked the peace pipe over a Pepsi can
and Wahiki a few summers ago. So since then we've
got on incredibly well. I rate him highly. I've seen
him on the international stage. He's an energizer bunny.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
He's aggressive.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
There and of course we've got a lot to thank
him for, particularly around the India FDA. And we saw
his relationship play out with Mody recently. So if it's
not him and it's someone else in the red meat
industry or in the primary sector, we'll wrap around and
work closely with whoever the incoming PM is start wait
and see.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
He has been good for farmers and to be fair,
all three parties in the Center right coalition are pro farming,
but Christopher Luxen is really pro farming. I don't think
you could ask for a more farmer friendly prime minister. Now,
the other two contenders, we know who they are, Chris
Bishop and Erica Stanford, both what you would describe as
(06:03):
urban liberals. Will they have the same empathy?
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Well, what I'm going to do if they are lucky
enough to get one of them gets the support today.
That's unfortunate for Chris Luxon. If they are successful, I'll
be reaching out to them this afternoon and inviting them
up to the mighty Hoto Feruur to come out on
the dairy farm, to come into the Alliance plant and
live in see what goes on, to visit some food
(06:32):
and beverage companies in livi in that also export, just
to get a feel of the primary sector. We'll need
to do our utmost to get them up to speed.
But whoever the pm is will know, if it's not
Chris Luxon, will know the importance of economic growth and
that comes from the powerhouse of the primary sector. So
it won't take too long to get their hands dirty
(06:56):
and understand how important the sector is to you.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
I make gray, what how do.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
You get on? And you've been in these caucus meetings
before when you've got people actively plotting against you. Of
course they're all denying it. But if you're Christopher Luxen
and you maintain the leadership of the National Party and
stay on as Prime Minister, what do you do with
a problem like Erica and Chris? Hello, Nathan, all right,
(07:31):
Nathan's gone. That's really really disappointing. That is totally disappointing.
I'm just going to try and get him back online.
Oh hang on Mayhem in the studio today. Yeah, I'm
(07:53):
going to have a crack. I just have lost colms
with him also on the show today. If we can't
get Nathan Guy back, we will have a go. I'm
just hoping he might call through to me. Nathan, if
you are listening, we'll head to chat to Jane Smith.
Tense leadership battle in the sheepyards on the North Otago
farm as well. Mike Peterson current share of Scales Corporation,
(08:15):
one of our biggest exporting companies in Campbell Parker out
of Dairy en Z some really good numbers around what
plantain is doing for nitrates leeching or emissions in the
dairy industry. And Barry Soap is waiting patiently on hold
should something break during our hour on air. Hold fire,
(08:36):
listen to a wee bit of Hall and Oates and
I'm going to try and get Nathan back. Okay, that's
(09:17):
enough of Daryl Hall and John Oh it's biggest selling
Jew musical duo of all time. A Nathan Guy. I
don't know whether you hung up on me whether you
didn't like the question or whether it was just bad
luck Nathan. But the question was, if you're Christopher Luxon
you remain prime minister. A lot of us will be
hoping he does, because I think he's good for farming. Anyhow,
what do you do with a problem like Erica and
(09:38):
Chris and the other Chris pink.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Well, I thought you had hot news and you just
ditched me to live across from the SOPA to say
this is what's happening. That's what I thought. I was
talking away to myself and realized you were responding.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Well, no, I look to be To be fair, I'm
trying to monitor about four screens at once. Plus Oh
you up. I've got Michelle sitting out in the office there.
She's monitoring everything that moves. And Michelle, lovely producer that
she is. She's no, no, she's not a literate. She's
very clever, but she's a left hander and when she writes,
you can't read it. So I said to Michelle, if
(10:15):
there's breaking news, pass me a note, because that's the
technology we've got here in Dunedin. But for God's sake,
make it legible. So there you go. There's Michelle's starting orders.
Yours are to answer my question.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Well, I'm a left handed too, but anyway, we'd digress.
While Eric is a class act, and so as Chris Bishop,
so they'll be regardless of what happens, they'll be an
important part of the team getting out of their campaigning
and selling the message.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
So you just put it behind you.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
We have to. I've been in these situations before. There's
a spill in caucus, someone get the mop out, clean
it up, move forward. This sort of stuff happens in
political parties. It's most unfortunate the timing. The billboards must
need be printed, the mug shots will be there on
the billboard. There might be a change out, hopefully there
(11:05):
isn't just going to get on with it, focus on
the people, focus on economic growth, getting the books back
in order, and talking about the issues that matter. And
that's the cost of living for Kiwis.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Yep, the NATS might have to get valcrow stick on
heads above kind of generic sort of bodies if there's
going to be a change around anyhow, at least surely
if there is any sort of change, or even if
there's not a change, this will be the last spill
before the election with what ninety days out. Hey, just
talking about meat, which was our original moot. If you
(11:38):
want here on the country. Those numbers that came out
from the Meat Industry Association for June up fifty percent
for June alone, for the for the full year. Let
me have a look at these numbers. Total exports for
the red meat sector thirteen point two billion for the
twenty four sorry, for the twenty five twenty six years.
(12:02):
That's up twenty one percent on twenty four to twenty five.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
It's a record. Yep, yeah, amazing. We're in a great space,
particularly for beef. Lamb may soften. I know you've got
someone coming on later on, might talk up four one
hundred bucks of lamb. Be great to see it. But
there's a little bit of pressure in certain markets. I mean,
at the end of the day, if the price goes
too high, consumer's head for white protein that tends to
(12:28):
be a bit cheaper. But he's also hoping that the
demand continues to grow. And we worry about a potential
sheep meat investigation tariff quota that could come out the
back end of that later this year. Hopefully a little
bit of sunlight on that issue will all show that
we're causing no injury to the American domestic farmers over there,
(12:51):
and we can get on and do what we do
well and export and potentially with demand the way it
is in there consumer in the US, there's an opportunity
for us to think collectively, how can we work a
bit better with the Americans. So I think hopefully it's alight,
a bit of disinfection and we don't end up with
(13:15):
any sort of terrifor quota on our ship meet to
the US that will be disastrous.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Yes, well, if you think our politics are a mess
here in this country today, we've got nothing on the US.
So it's a moving feast daily over there. Nathan Guy, Well,
that was sort of a two part interview. I might
have to edit that down. And I'm glad you didn't
hang up on me.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Well, I thought you'd hang up on me. And any
moment you'll do a live cross and we'll get on
with our day.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
So as soon as Jack hey, good to chat. Nathan,
thank you very much, And of course as there's Nathan Guy,
chair of the Meat Industry Association, as soon as we
hear anything, we will let you know. Michelle is monitoring
so many channels out there it ain't funny. And I'm
monitoring two computer screens, my main screen and my mobile
(14:04):
phone which is connected to my watch, and I can't multitasks,
so no doubt we'll get a flash when something comes up.
I wouldn't be surprised if you might have to wait
until Tyler this afternoon, or haven't help us, you might
even have to wait till four o'clock. Heather and Barry,
you'll get the good oil. Then. Interestingly, yesterday, as I
said to Heather last night, Barry, I sent him a
(14:27):
text when I was in Queenstown just before midday, saying
what's the story. He said, I don't think there's an
appetite for change. He texted me back at four pm,
just before Heather show and said, I think the hunger's
on now. And as I said, what I was hearing
last night was that Erica had Erica Stanford had the numbers.
But we're hearing this morning the tide is turning and
(14:50):
favor of Chris luxon interesting times, tense battles and the Beehive.
Up next, a tense battle in the stockyards on her
North Otago farm. Jane Smith welcome back to the country.
(15:20):
Mayhem in the studio today, first job, back on the Tools, Day,
Back on the Tools and Duneda. So much happening out there.
Will bring it to you as soon as we can.
That's not the only tense leadership battle that's going on
in the country today. Jane Smith never won to miss
an opportunity tell a good yarn, says there's been a
(15:41):
tense leadership battle in the sheepyards this morning with Hubby Blair.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Good afternoon, Jane, Good afternoon, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
Yes, it was really the usual power struggle at New
Haven Farms, and we did have a discussion around what
our caucus is going to look like going forward. Blair
at one point did say that the only cabinet I
should be in charge of as the kitchen cabinet. I
thought that was quite good, And you know, he did
actually give a really good argument that I do a
(16:09):
lot of talking and strategizing and bugger or work, so
I'm more likely to be this sort of the overhay cheer,
and he believes he's the overworked and undervalued CEO. So
you know, valid points. So at the end of the day,
I've just put him on another ninety day trial period
and just rolled that over for the umpteenth time.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Jamie. I think that's quite a good solution.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
In the end, in ninety days, Jane, we'll know who
is the new prime minister. If there is indeed a
new prime minister. It could be Chris lux and it
could be Rich Stanford, it could be Chris Bishop, it
could be Chris Hopkins.
Speaker 6 (16:43):
He's one of my first thought, Jamie, was my Scottish
presbytarian genes was I hope they didn't send too much
taxpayer money booking last minute regional flights to Wellington. But
you know, this is sort of playing out of it
like the Hunger Games, and it's unhelpful.
Speaker 5 (16:56):
I guess having a.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
Media that is left leaning and really sticking and focusing
more on those personality politics, and I guess quite a
good distraction for the unionists and labor supporters because they
know that they're disintegrating into irrelevance. And of course we've
got those other parties on the far left serving up
(17:17):
another socialist smallger board smagagsboard to Jamie, so again we
need to move on from personality politics and actually just
get the country moving because the end of the day.
This is not the captain of the All Blacks or
a host of a TV show. This is the person
that will be running a team to run the country.
So again that's really important that we actually just knuckle
down and do the work.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Jamie, this is meat Mattters week here on the country.
You're going you want to talk about the four hundred
dollar lamb Nathan Guy. I don't know whether you heard
what he said. He said, don't hold your breath.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
Well, it's really interesting, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
There was actually some pricing coming from one of the
Southland sale yards with at last week or the week
before that has a four hundred dollar mark on on
lands and I would suggest they're probably more towards a
hogit than a land. But at the end of the day,
it wasn't that long ago we were talking about a
lofty goal of one hundred and fifty dollars. But you know,
I do agree with with market commentary around. We don't
(18:14):
want prices to get too high. But what we do
want is stability in all of those areas, you know, land, beef,
mut and wool, dairy, venison, and hopefully for the arable
guys as well.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
At some point in the future, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
But you know, real positive and it's making a lot
of those other discussions in terms of cash flow and
the sheef and beef sector a lot more I guess
palatable and valid. So it's really good to both well
for the future, Jamie.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Rick bats and bouquets. You've got some to hand out.
Speaker 6 (18:45):
Oh well, it's really pleased to see Tama Potucker, the
Minister for Conservation, announce another million, one million dollars for
wld in pine control. So just to just to I
guess to revalidate the issue here, it's two million hipties
have already been infestated by walden pines and it's creeping
in at ninetieth ninety thousand hipties a year of you
(19:09):
know of land, food producing land that's been destroyed. So
actually potentially a worse problem than the creeping carbon forestry problem.
I just hope this funding goes to the right place,
not just an Edmond trail, but really good to up
the anty on weeds and hopefully peaced as well.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Mind you, Jane, is one million dollars enough. I know
it's going for people on the grounds, maybe even the
volunteer workforce and that, but they've already announced the funding,
by my reckoning the story I read yesterday of what
one hundred and nine million, So in terms of you know, proportionality,
it's not a huge additional contribution.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
No, but I think this is also targeting areas that
hadn't been I guess taken into account before. So hopefully
that means that you know that the locals and the
landowners and the and the lease hold it people in
those areas will actually have more of a say in
terms of where that goes as well, Jamie. So again
a drop in the bucket, but certainly in the right
direction in terms of where we need to be heading
(20:09):
with weeds and peace. And speaking of peace, the brickback
that I did want to give out Jamie, or is
believe it or not, to the Green Party, they've clearly
been smoking too much Golden Bay Hay. Once again, I
see they want to give specifically give Maria's two point
four billion dollars to upgrade. Now, nothing wrong with that
in itself, but you know that they've actually said that
(20:30):
the Mariaza they do all the heavy lifting and emergency
situations for our communities, and you know that in terms
of that, assuming that special treatment versus you know, there's
lions clubs and rugby clubs and schools and rural halls
that do plenty all times of the year, including in emergencies,
and many of our areas don't have a maria. So
we've just got to be very very careful that that again,
(20:52):
we're not I guess diverging off to give special treatment
to areas.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
And I guess coming towards.
Speaker 6 (20:59):
Election, there'll be lots of lollly scramble handouts and over promises,
but let's just get back to the basics, you know,
the big three infrastructure, health and education, and that's who
gets my vote, Jamie, in terms of just sticking to
the basics. And ideally, imagine if we were big enough
to come up with a bipartisan agreement for a twenty
year plan and then they could just fight around the
fringes of everything else. But gosh, that would be a great,
(21:20):
great place to be in, Jamie, and much more interesting
than any sort of leadership battles out on the front.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Jane Smith, North Otago, Thanks for your time, good luck
in the good luck in the sheepyards this afternoon.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Thanks Jamie, there.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
We go, Jane Smith spang on twelve thirty. Here on
the country, we're eagerly awaiting news from the Bee. I've
I've got a text from someone who should know, who
shall remain nameless. If it was a new leader, they
would be setting up not where they currently are, which
is apparently the Banquet Hall. It would be in another
(21:55):
room where the new leaders are announced, the Grand Hall.
So there you go. Adding are more conspiracy theories to
the mix Summy texts coming up? Have national MP's not
remembered the Todd Muller fiesco bloody crazy, says Chris. Well,
here's a sad one that's just coming. Did you know
Clive Dalton x ruakura Man died recently? No, I didn't.
(22:19):
He was a great contributor to New Zealand agriculture. That's
also from Chris. If Luxon resigns from politics, that's this government.
Why the word starts with an f hm Hi Jamie.
If the current lots think they can do any better
(22:39):
than Christopher Luck Christopher lux and they're dreaming he's outstanding
for us on the world stage where it really matters.
No one could hold a candle to him, says Tony.
And Tony's got a fair point.
Speaker 7 (22:49):
There.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
He's done. He's done a good job along with Todd
McLay with the likes of the ND and ft A right, okay,
Michelle has passed me note and I can read it.
Well done, Michelle, good work and she's it's just numbers.
It's just numbers, she said. Twelve thirty five. We're expecting
(23:11):
an announcement. We'll take a break, maybe come back with
the new or existing Prime Minister. Tunity said, welcome back
to the country Hall and Oates Man eater for Erica.
I don't know whether Erica is eaten Luson. I quite like.
(23:33):
I like Chris Luckson. I think he's been a good
prime minister for farming and for the rural sector in
this country. But that's only one man's opinion. It's only
forty nine or forty eight other people's opinions who count.
We're standing by for twelve thirty five, so let's just
quickly rip through rural news and sports news. His Michelle
with Rural.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
News, the Country's Rural News with cub Cadet. It's one
thing to talk innovation, another to back it up it.
We dare you visit steel for dot cod NZ for
your local store guest.
Speaker 7 (24:06):
Thanks Jamie, and shout out to Nathan for standing up
for left handers everywhere out there. Thanks for that, Nathan.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
My sister's a left hander and she's a chock lady.
Speaker 7 (24:14):
And thanks smart on here too, Jamie.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
How are you well? I was just look if it's
like disciplining kids, God knows my grandchildren could do with that.
When you say something nasty about a person, your handwriting
which is appalling, I've got to say something nice and
you are smart. You just have appalling handwriting.
Speaker 7 (24:31):
It's called the compliments sandwich.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Jamie, Yes, okay, where you go, where we go?
Speaker 7 (24:35):
Real News. The government is seeking feedback on proposals designed
to strengthen and grow New Zealand's organic sector. Associate agg
Minister Mike Butterix says the industry is worth more than
one point eight billion dollars, with organic exports topping six
hundred million dollars thanks to strong global demand for premium
and sustainability sustainably produced products. The consultation covers several proposed
(24:57):
regulatory changes, including a National Organic Mark e ZEB three
sholds for some operators, infringement notices, and other technical amendments,
submissions are now open through the Ministry of Primary Industries
for that and you have sport there.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Jamie sports on the country with AFCO business. Well done well.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I got up early and watched the All Blacks. The
second half I didn't bother with the first half, missed
nothing there. The second half was really good. All Blacks
coach over and he admits they'll need to make an
adjustment at scrum time. After two wins from as many
matches on their tour of South Africa, New Zealand copped
two penalties at set Peace during their otherwise impressive fifty
four mil route of the Sharks in Durbin. You've got
(25:37):
to be mentioned that the Sharks are very much under strength.
The coaching staff are confident Damien McKenzie will recover quickly
from an ank or injury. Right, let's just see if
we've got anything coming down the line from Wellington. Does
that sound like anything to you, Michelle Night yet?
Speaker 7 (25:56):
But I think we'll just wait here a couple of
minutes because I know that they were definitely getting set
up down there and getting ready to.
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Go and know.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Here what we're going to do. We are going to
go to a break and come back to this conference,
Welcome back to the country. Coming up to twenty away
from one. We are waiting with baited breath for something
to come out of the beehive. Let's just see if
there's anything on our direct link to Wellington. No, there
(26:30):
is not, so Michelle, you keep monitoring that in the meantime. Well,
it's the next best thing. Mike Peterson a former chair
of Beef and Lamb, New Zealand's former Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
These days the chair of Scales, You've spent many at
many an hour day month treading the corridors of power.
What are you picking?
Speaker 8 (26:51):
Well, Jamie, it's really heartening to know that I'm not
exactly the main course here. You know, I'm definitely a
substitute until the news comes through. But look, and I've
always been picking that the current PM will be the
PM that takes this party to the election. So I've
been always quite clear that they need to be consistent.
(27:11):
I've heard Nathan Guy earlier. A change at this time
I think would be quite destructive. And so my bed
is on Crystal Luxen to lead national and for us
the Center Right to actually win the election.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
And I'm just repeating what I said earlier, but I
think it's a comment worth making. He's been a good
Prime Minister for farming, the primary sector and agriculture.
Speaker 8 (27:36):
No doubt about it, Jamie. And I think the trouble
is we are seeing two economies in New Zealand at
the moment, and if you're an agri or regional New Zealand,
by and large, you're doing pretty well. But the big challenge,
of course that politicians have got is that Auckland is
the challenge and so unless you can win a good
proportion of the seats in Auckland, it's pretty hard to
(27:57):
win the election in spite of the region buoyancy that's
happening out there. So part of this discontent will be,
you know, particularly the big urban centers like Auckland and
Wellington to a lesser extent, that are really struggling.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Still, what do you make of Winston's relative silence. He's
hardly said anything. David Seymour was on with Hosking this
morning he said this is all very destabilizing and he's
dead right there, but cunning on one. He hasn't said
much at all.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
No, and would you expect that?
Speaker 8 (28:30):
I mean, I think he has been in the Pacific
Island somewhere over the last few days. But no, Look,
he's an experienced operator, Jamie. You've seen that coming through
in spades.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
The guy.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
I think there was a couple of points made earlier
in the week is that you know this coalition, yes,
start fighting each other for votes, but they're not fighting.
They're all pretty much aligned on the direction of travel.
And you're always going to get individual parties coming out
with different views. At this stage of the election, the
center right is really scrambling to China and votes of
(29:03):
each other.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Mike, it smeat matters week here on the country. Have
you ever known red meat to be better? You've had
a long and distinguished farming career.
Speaker 8 (29:12):
Oh, it's exciting times, Jamie. And certainly for the meat sector,
the meat industry, this is not just a fed or
something that's going away. Correct with each yelp ones are
making a difference. There's a no doubt a trend and
certainly a rush to protein rich, naturally produced proteins, and
(29:35):
that's what New Zealand does so so well. So I
know the sectors in good heart. We've got a couple
of challenges, of course, and always do around things like
tariffs and some of those issues, even like the China
import quotas that have come up, which is putting a
bit more pressure on the US beef market at the
moment because Brazil and Australia are sending more product to
that market. But the fundamentals of naturally produced grapt fed
(29:59):
meat are very strong.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
It's exciting to see you're.
Speaker 3 (30:02):
The chair of Scales Corp, one of our biggest horticultural companies,
but you make most of your money out of pet food.
Speaker 5 (30:09):
We do, Jamie.
Speaker 8 (30:10):
It's three divisions and their logistics of course, which has
been challenging, but and then pet food ingredients and of
course horticulture the other third divisions. So and pet food
ingredients is going pretty strongly, to be honest, and we've
been partnering with others and various markets around the world.
It's a truly global business now, so we're pretty happy
(30:32):
with we we're tracking there. And horticulture of course has
had a bit of a bad name lately with a
couple of high profile Apple companies that have gone into liquidation,
and that's a bit of a shame because actually the
sector is fundamentally strong and the good players in the
sector are making good money and performing well, so having
(30:53):
bad publicity in the sector unfortunately has been difficult for us,
but you know, we still fundamently believe it's a great
sector to be involved with.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
How is the farming season going in Central Hawk's Bay
where you love.
Speaker 8 (31:08):
Yes, Central Hawk's Bay is. It's a normal winter, Jamie.
It's been pretty cold of late, but we headed into
the winter in really good shape. Look, we've had some
rather heavy rain events, but it hadn't carried on and
I think if you looked around today, you'd actually say
we could keep We want to keep getting rain. There's
a bit of nervousness about the super owl Nino that
(31:31):
they're talking about developing in regions like Hawk's Bay of course,
are particularly vulnerable to those types of weather patterns, and
so there is a bit of nervousness, and I suspect
there'll be a lot of early decisions made in Hawk's
Bay around, you know, selling stock in the spring if
things do stay dry. But at the moment, I'd say
we're in good shape, but obviously looking for more rain
(31:54):
and consistent rain as we get into the spring.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Kate Ackland was on kicking off meat Matters Week on Monday,
and she's saying carbon farming is still a threat. And
I know that you know you're not a carbon farmer, Mike,
but you're into the business, so I mean, talk to me.
Is it still a threat? Are we still losing good
pastoral land to forestry and I'm talking about land that
should be growing food, not trees.
Speaker 8 (32:19):
Well, we don't appear to be, Jamie. And I heard
the interview, and look, you know, we have had some
high profile farms planted in this region in Hawk's Bay
in recent times, and certainly the IKEA portfolio has been
on the media in the media quite a bit. But look,
the reality is that actually that seems to have stopped. Yes,
(32:42):
I wouldn't deny that there are still some planting happening,
but it's nowhere.
Speaker 5 (32:46):
Near what it was.
Speaker 8 (32:47):
And in fact, I would say that the government regulations
have really effectively killed that, alongside you know, the collapse
and the carbon price of course, which is a disincentive
for those wanting to do that.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
One more to throw across your bow. You haven't been
out helping you, mate, Steve. When Harris look for meteorites,
have you.
Speaker 8 (33:06):
Mike, No, I haven't Jamie Iven quite crossed the threshold
into that, and look, I need to have a lot
more time on my hands, frankly to spend five or
six days in the wire wrapper looking for a piece
of rock that came from space. But you know, good
on them. And he's an amazing guy the way he
pursues these these pieces of fragments that are coming into
(33:28):
the US atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
So well, you got to you got to, Mike. You've
got a question a bloke who's sitting in a hot
tub at ten thirty at night looking for astroid's flying
across the horizon.
Speaker 8 (33:41):
Jamie, you're going to lose viewers very quickly if you
start putting visits of that. And I can tell you
when Harris in the hot tub at ten thirty at night,
it's not more.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
No no, no, no, no, no hate. Mike, just stay
online if you can, just in case, because we've been
we're under strict starts orders here and not to go
to a break because we're expecting. So let's just see
if anything coming down the line. No, there's nothing coming
down the line. So what we'll do is Mike will
just keep Mike there because we're going to have to
buy some time. But in the meantime, let's get some
(34:10):
of your feedback in there, or we could display hall
and notes, but I'll do your feedback in politics, Jamie.
When it comes to giving out jobs, I would remind
you of the saying keep your friends close and your
enemies closer, presumably so when you can see what they're
up to. From Bern and manuwatu ps your focus on
(34:32):
meat week is really good. Thank you Bern and manor
Tu Jamie. If they roll uson, I think I will
vote ACT first time ever. I think there's a lot
of people who are thinking on the center right that
they may be disgruntled if they change the leader, and
they may go with ACT or New Zealand first. Yes,
(34:56):
and the Todd Muller fiesco raises its head again. Right, So, Michelle,
didn't you did you agree in politics? Or is it psychology?
Speaker 7 (35:08):
Psychology? But I do love politics and psychology has a
lot to do with it.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
All right, we'll bring you in and we'll bring Mike
in because we're just buying time. Hello, Mike, you're back.
Speaker 5 (35:16):
Are you doing here?
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Right here? We'll let Michelle have her say, where are
you going? Me?
Speaker 1 (35:21):
Say?
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Well, only if only if I agree with it.
Speaker 7 (35:24):
Oh, you never agree with me, Jamie. As you know,
I'm a political when I'm in this room, so I
won't allow anything to come out. But I do think
at the stage Luxeon is probably going to come out
and be safe.
Speaker 5 (35:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
The interesting thing is Mike, and I've mentioned this, but
it's worth repeating. A good story is worth repeating. Last
night everyone was telling me that he was toasting Erica
Stanford had the numbers. Something changed overnight and this morning.
And the other thing they're saying is the longer the
meeting lasts, and it's been going for over three hours now,
(35:57):
the better chance we have, or the better chances Christopher
Lucksen has of remaining National Party leader and Prime minister.
What do you think?
Speaker 8 (36:05):
I think that's right, Jamie. You've got to remember Christopher
Luckxin's he's an incredibly proud person and there's no doubt
in my mind that if he felt he did not
have the ability to carry the caucus, he would resign
quite quickly, and you make it clean and easy. So
as I say, I'm still confident that he could and
should come through. But you know, these caucus politics are
(36:29):
really difficult to read. So I could be proven wrong
in a few minutes time, but it must He's an
incredible you know. I think one of the things about
Crystalph luckxin he's misunderstood a lot because if you talk
to people who meet with him and insurrect with him
and talk with him, they all say that he's an
incredibly intelligent and incredibly nice guy and that they enjoy
(36:50):
spending time with him. But you know, it seems to
me that when the media get a bit of a
be in the bottom around some of these issues and
they start to whip into a freezy again. Met him
all on a town and I don't believe those calls
from last night, to be honest, that he was posted
last night.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
I just don't accept it.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
The okay, well, they may looks like they might be
proven to be wrong. The other thing about him is
and if you see him in his comfortable space that's
often rural New Zealand or field days or primary industry
awards or whatever, he's very gregarious, very comfortable moving amongst
large crowds and chatting to literally anyone. My observation of
(37:29):
Chris Hipkins, who I don't know, as well as Chris
Luxon is that. I think he's a wee bit of
an introvert. I'm not sure he's totally comfortable being in public.
Speaker 8 (37:39):
No, they are very different people. And you know, one
of the things I think that the Crystal elections so
good at, which I think would be really tough for
a lot of people, is actually bringing over all of
the issues at the same time. It doesn't matter whether
you're talking agriculture primary sector one minute, you could be
talking about education sector, the new store, what's happening in
(38:01):
an overseas markets and trades. So and he's got a
really good hand on all of that information. So look,
that's going to be an interesting call today. But let's
just wait and see. Well, I did notice that Damian O'Connor,
a friend of the Country of Good, was handing handing
out popcorn to the media there today. Chicky Basto, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:19):
I thought that.
Speaker 3 (38:20):
I thought that was Michelle passed me that note as well. Yeah,
are n Z live labor MP. Damian O'Connor has dropped
off a few bags of popcorn to the press gallery
waiting for the National Party Caucus to conclude this morning.
I say, well played, Damien O'Connor.
Speaker 8 (38:37):
Oh, absolutely and of course on the other side of
the house, I'll be watching this with a lot of glee,
and I guess there are other parties too that might
be quite quite interested in this, And no doubt the
Opportunity's Party will say, here we go. This is old
politics playing out in the public arena, and that's not
what we should be doing.
Speaker 3 (38:54):
Okay, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, we might have to
go to Wellington. Hold fire.
Speaker 9 (39:08):
Great one, Hey, well Kyoto, Good morning everyone. As you know,
this is an absolutely pivotal election with some very very
serious issues at stake for New Zealand. We think we
have made tremendous progress as a government, rebuilding economic growth,
financial discipline, restoring law and order, and certainly strengthening education
and healthcare. But we also acknowledge that we have a
(39:30):
lot more to do. Our plan to fix the basics
and to build the future is a positive plan, a
very positive plan to help New Zealand realize the innate
potential that it has. There was a confidence vot of
my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting. I have
the full support of our caucus, and our caucus is
united and it is determined to win this election. Our
(39:51):
focus is on National's positive plan to fix the basics
and to build the future, so that we realize the
incredible potential that sits in this country and that we
set it up for our kids and our grandkids so
they can do better than we can. It's also an
opportunity to frame the choice for voters, which is crystal
clear on November seventh, an opposition that wants to take
(40:12):
New Zealand backwards or a National government that wants to
fix the basics and build the future, and of the
plan that takes New Zealand forward. With that, I want
to say thanks everyone. We're going back to work and
we're moving on.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Well.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
And I'm guessing from those noises that he has decided
to in the press conference. Yeah, that's it. Okay, what
we're going to do is quickly go to a break
and come back and wrap today's proceedings. Okay, wrapping of
(41:03):
a country. Right, Some some of your feedback coming in
all over the place. Did the press gallery just get
a polite f off from APM? Well, it didn't look like.
We haven't got a screen in front of us, We
only had the audio. It looks like he did a
mic drop and just got out of there and got
on him. Look, he needs to be more like Winston.
He needs to be grumpier with the press. Remember who's
(41:26):
calling the shots. It's not the press, it's him. He's
the Prime Minister. He will lead us into the election,
or lead the National center right coalition into the election.
And if you're a center right voter or of a
center right persuasion, you got to get in behind the bloke. Anyhow,
Just think of what could be a whole lot worse.
(41:46):
Imagine a four headed monster on the other side. And
I'm talking from a farming constituency here. You're welcome to
have your own opinion. More about this on tomorrow's show,
and more about it this afternoon on news Talk Z'B.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie Mackay and the Isuzu m ux suv
backed by a six year warranty.
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay and the Azuzu m Ux s
u V, backed by a six year warranty.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Fantasy the Still Melt Get a New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
I'm Jamie McKay back at the Country's HQ and Dunedin
after a couple of days and traffic jams and Queen's down.
Another story for another day, because we've got a big story.
The nation is waiting with baited breath to see what's
going to happen at the Beehive. They've been in Matt
caucus room since nine thirty. We've got our spies up there,
(01:00):
bring it to you as soon as we find out.
Several MPs. The latest I've got is several MPs were
seen briefly outside the caucus room, probably out for a
cup of tea or a smoke or something. I don't
think people smoke these days, do they? But I'm sure
it's quite intense in there. Musical theme today, I'm a
big Haul and Oates fan, out of touch for the
(01:20):
National Caucus. She's gone for Erica. Maybe man Eater for Erica.
Maybe private Eyes. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
In that caucus room. Right, We've got an interesting show
lined up for you. It's a moving feast. We're going
to go to Wellington as soon as we find anything else.
(01:40):
Nathan Guy, he's on the show today in his capacity
as chair of the Meat Industry Association as a part
of our Meat Matters Week. But I guess his past
occupation is a National MP and Minister for Primary Industries
from twenty thirteen to seventeen. I think we can pick
his brain and see what he rets is happening now.
(02:01):
Jane Smith, if you think there's tense situations in the
caucus room at the beehive, she said, it's been even
more tense a leadership battle in the sheepyards on her
North Otago farm. She's going to talk about the four
hundred dollars lamb, brick bats and baucats and who gets
a vote this year. Mike Peterson, former Chair of Beef
(02:23):
and Lamb New Zealand Special or former Special ad Trade
Envoy these days, the current chair of Scales Corp. He
knows a thing or two about meat. They sell a
hell of a lot of pet food. We're going to
talk to him and also about horticulture. Will get his
views on politics as well. He's tread the corridors of
power quite a bit in his career, and then we
might take a bit of a break from the politics.
(02:44):
Campbell park A, chief executive of Derry en Z Plantain.
Could it be our savior? It's all on the Country.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Meat Matters Week on the Country with PGG writes and
Livestock the local knowledge and nationwide livestock expertise.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Well, Nathan guy, you heard the intro were meant to
be talking about meat. But it would be remiss of
me not to pick your brain before we get onto that.
You're well connected in the National Party. What's the inside oil, Nathan.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Come on afternoon, Jamie. I don't know any more than
you know on this one.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Well, I'll tell you can I can? I just make
an observation because I was traveling back from Queenstown, YESTERDA.
I had three and a half hours to kill and
that wasn't getting out of the traffic jam in Queenstown.
I've got to stop going on about it. So I
was listening to Heather and Barry and I was making
a few phone calls to some people in the know,
and it would appear to me that late last night
(03:56):
when I was networking away that it looked like Chris
Luxon toast it looked like Erica Stanford had the numbers.
But the tide seems to have turned this morning, and
I'm hearing commentators say, Nathan guy, the longer this meeting lasts,
the better chance Chris lux And keeping his job.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
Who knows. I've been in these situations before, Jamie. It's
not pleasant. These guys should really be focusing on campaigning
and getting out in their electorates and up and down
the country talking to people about the issues that matter,
not focusing and on internal politics and leadership squabbles. It's
most unfortunate. Personally, I hope that Christopher Laxon remains the PM.
(04:40):
I've got an amazing relationship with him where he created
it way way back when we had a bit of
RGI bargie and he was ce of in New Zealand
and I was Minister and wanted to do a few
things on biosecurity, run a video and he didn't like
the video one of his own, so we had a
bit of a squabble about that. And then when he
was ce also thereon ZEDDI stop the flights out of
(05:01):
Carpany to Auckland, so we had another go around and
then we smoked the peace pipe over a Pepsi can
and Wahiki a few summers ago. So since then we've
got on incredibly well. I rate him highly. I've seen
him on the international stage. He's an energizer bunny.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
He's aggressive.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
There and of course we've got a lot to thank
him for, particularly around the India FDA. And we saw
his relationship play out with Mody recently. So if it's
not him and it's someone else in the red meat
industry or in the primary sector, we'll wrap around and
work closely with whoever the incoming PM is start wait
and see.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
He has been good for farmers and to be fair,
all three parties in the Center right coalition are pro farming,
but Christopher Luxen is really pro farming. I don't think
you could ask for a more farmer friendly prime minister. Now,
the other two contenders, we know who they are, Chris
Bishop and Erica Stanford, both what you would describe as
(06:03):
urban liberals. Will they have the same empathy?
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Well, what I'm going to do if they are lucky
enough to get one of them gets the support today.
That's unfortunate for Chris Luxon. If they are successful, I'll
be reaching out to them this afternoon and inviting them
up to the mighty Hoto Feruur to come out on
the dairy farm, to come into the Alliance plant and
live in see what goes on, to visit some food
(06:32):
and beverage companies in livi in that also export, just
to get a feel of the primary sector. We'll need
to do our utmost to get them up to speed.
But whoever the pm is will know, if it's not
Chris Luxon, will know the importance of economic growth and
that comes from the powerhouse of the primary sector. So
it won't take too long to get their hands dirty
(06:56):
and understand how important the sector is to you.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
I make gray, what how do.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
You get on? And you've been in these caucus meetings
before when you've got people actively plotting against you. Of
course they're all denying it. But if you're Christopher Luxen
and you maintain the leadership of the National Party and
stay on as Prime Minister, what do you do with
a problem like Erica and Chris? Hello, Nathan, all right,
(07:31):
Nathan's gone. That's really really disappointing. That is totally disappointing.
I'm just going to try and get him back online.
Oh hang on Mayhem in the studio today. Yeah, I'm
(07:53):
going to have a crack. I just have lost colms
with him also on the show today. If we can't
get Nathan Guy back, we will have a go. I'm
just hoping he might call through to me. Nathan, if
you are listening, we'll head to chat to Jane Smith.
Tense leadership battle in the sheepyards on the North Otago
farm as well. Mike Peterson current share of Scales Corporation,
(08:15):
one of our biggest exporting companies in Campbell Parker out
of Dairy en Z some really good numbers around what
plantain is doing for nitrates leeching or emissions in the
dairy industry. And Barry Soap is waiting patiently on hold
should something break during our hour on air. Hold fire,
(08:36):
listen to a wee bit of Hall and Oates and
I'm going to try and get Nathan back. Okay, that's
(09:17):
enough of Daryl Hall and John Oh it's biggest selling
Jew musical duo of all time. A Nathan Guy. I
don't know whether you hung up on me whether you
didn't like the question or whether it was just bad
luck Nathan. But the question was, if you're Christopher Luxon
you remain prime minister. A lot of us will be
hoping he does, because I think he's good for farming. Anyhow,
what do you do with a problem like Erica and
(09:38):
Chris and the other Chris pink.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Well, I thought you had hot news and you just
ditched me to live across from the SOPA to say
this is what's happening. That's what I thought. I was
talking away to myself and realized you were responding.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Well, no, I look to be To be fair, I'm
trying to monitor about four screens at once. Plus Oh
you up. I've got Michelle sitting out in the office there.
She's monitoring everything that moves. And Michelle, lovely producer that
she is. She's no, no, she's not a literate. She's
very clever, but she's a left hander and when she writes,
you can't read it. So I said to Michelle, if
(10:15):
there's breaking news, pass me a note, because that's the
technology we've got here in Dunedin. But for God's sake,
make it legible. So there you go. There's Michelle's starting orders.
Yours are to answer my question.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Well, I'm a left handed too, but anyway, we'd digress.
While Eric is a class act, and so as Chris Bishop,
so they'll be regardless of what happens, they'll be an
important part of the team getting out of their campaigning
and selling the message.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
So you just put it behind you.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
We have to. I've been in these situations before. There's
a spill in caucus, someone get the mop out, clean
it up, move forward. This sort of stuff happens in
political parties. It's most unfortunate the timing. The billboards must
need be printed, the mug shots will be there on
the billboard. There might be a change out, hopefully there
(11:05):
isn't just going to get on with it, focus on
the people, focus on economic growth, getting the books back
in order, and talking about the issues that matter. And
that's the cost of living for Kiwis.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Yep, the NATS might have to get valcrow stick on
heads above kind of generic sort of bodies if there's
going to be a change around anyhow, at least surely
if there is any sort of change, or even if
there's not a change, this will be the last spill
before the election with what ninety days out. Hey, just
talking about meat, which was our original moot. If you
(11:38):
want here on the country. Those numbers that came out
from the Meat Industry Association for June up fifty percent
for June alone, for the for the full year. Let
me have a look at these numbers. Total exports for
the red meat sector thirteen point two billion for the
twenty four sorry, for the twenty five twenty six years.
(12:02):
That's up twenty one percent on twenty four to twenty five.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
It's a record. Yep, yeah, amazing. We're in a great space,
particularly for beef. Lamb may soften. I know you've got
someone coming on later on, might talk up four one
hundred bucks of lamb. Be great to see it. But
there's a little bit of pressure in certain markets. I mean,
at the end of the day, if the price goes
too high, consumer's head for white protein that tends to
(12:28):
be a bit cheaper. But he's also hoping that the
demand continues to grow. And we worry about a potential
sheep meat investigation tariff quota that could come out the
back end of that later this year. Hopefully a little
bit of sunlight on that issue will all show that
we're causing no injury to the American domestic farmers over there,
(12:51):
and we can get on and do what we do
well and export and potentially with demand the way it
is in there consumer in the US, there's an opportunity
for us to think collectively, how can we work a
bit better with the Americans. So I think hopefully it's alight,
a bit of disinfection and we don't end up with
(13:15):
any sort of terrifor quota on our ship meet to
the US that will be disastrous.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Yes, well, if you think our politics are a mess
here in this country today, we've got nothing on the US.
So it's a moving feast daily over there. Nathan Guy, Well,
that was sort of a two part interview. I might
have to edit that down. And I'm glad you didn't
hang up on me.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Well, I thought you'd hang up on me. And any
moment you'll do a live cross and we'll get on
with our day.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
So as soon as Jack hey, good to chat. Nathan,
thank you very much, And of course as there's Nathan Guy,
chair of the Meat Industry Association, as soon as we
hear anything, we will let you know. Michelle is monitoring
so many channels out there it ain't funny. And I'm
monitoring two computer screens, my main screen and my mobile
(14:04):
phone which is connected to my watch, and I can't multitasks,
so no doubt we'll get a flash when something comes up.
I wouldn't be surprised if you might have to wait
until Tyler this afternoon, or haven't help us, you might
even have to wait till four o'clock. Heather and Barry,
you'll get the good oil. Then. Interestingly, yesterday, as I
said to Heather last night, Barry, I sent him a
(14:27):
text when I was in Queenstown just before midday, saying
what's the story. He said, I don't think there's an
appetite for change. He texted me back at four pm,
just before Heather show and said, I think the hunger's
on now. And as I said, what I was hearing
last night was that Erica had Erica Stanford had the numbers.
But we're hearing this morning the tide is turning and
(14:50):
favor of Chris luxon interesting times, tense battles and the Beehive.
Up next, a tense battle in the stockyards on her
North Otago farm. Jane Smith welcome back to the country.
(15:20):
Mayhem in the studio today, first job, back on the Tools, Day,
Back on the Tools and Duneda. So much happening out there.
Will bring it to you as soon as we can.
That's not the only tense leadership battle that's going on
in the country today. Jane Smith never won to miss
an opportunity tell a good yarn, says there's been a
(15:41):
tense leadership battle in the sheepyards this morning with Hubby Blair.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Good afternoon, Jane, Good afternoon, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
Yes, it was really the usual power struggle at New
Haven Farms, and we did have a discussion around what
our caucus is going to look like going forward. Blair
at one point did say that the only cabinet I
should be in charge of as the kitchen cabinet. I
thought that was quite good, And you know, he did
actually give a really good argument that I do a
(16:09):
lot of talking and strategizing and bugger or work, so
I'm more likely to be this sort of the overhay cheer,
and he believes he's the overworked and undervalued CEO. So
you know, valid points. So at the end of the day,
I've just put him on another ninety day trial period
and just rolled that over for the umpteenth time.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Jamie. I think that's quite a good solution.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
In the end, in ninety days, Jane, we'll know who
is the new prime minister. If there is indeed a
new prime minister. It could be Chris lux and it
could be Rich Stanford, it could be Chris Bishop, it
could be Chris Hopkins.
Speaker 6 (16:43):
He's one of my first thought, Jamie, was my Scottish
presbytarian genes was I hope they didn't send too much
taxpayer money booking last minute regional flights to Wellington. But
you know, this is sort of playing out of it
like the Hunger Games, and it's unhelpful.
Speaker 5 (16:56):
I guess having a.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
Media that is left leaning and really sticking and focusing
more on those personality politics, and I guess quite a
good distraction for the unionists and labor supporters because they
know that they're disintegrating into irrelevance. And of course we've
got those other parties on the far left serving up
(17:17):
another socialist smallger board smagagsboard to Jamie, so again we
need to move on from personality politics and actually just
get the country moving because the end of the day.
This is not the captain of the All Blacks or
a host of a TV show. This is the person
that will be running a team to run the country.
So again that's really important that we actually just knuckle
down and do the work.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Jamie, this is meat Mattters week here on the country.
You're going you want to talk about the four hundred
dollar lamb Nathan Guy. I don't know whether you heard
what he said. He said, don't hold your breath.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
Well, it's really interesting, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
There was actually some pricing coming from one of the
Southland sale yards with at last week or the week
before that has a four hundred dollar mark on on
lands and I would suggest they're probably more towards a
hogit than a land. But at the end of the day,
it wasn't that long ago we were talking about a
lofty goal of one hundred and fifty dollars. But you know,
I do agree with with market commentary around. We don't
(18:14):
want prices to get too high. But what we do
want is stability in all of those areas, you know, land, beef,
mut and wool, dairy, venison, and hopefully for the arable
guys as well.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
At some point in the future, Jamie.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
But you know, real positive and it's making a lot
of those other discussions in terms of cash flow and
the sheef and beef sector a lot more I guess
palatable and valid. So it's really good to both well
for the future, Jamie.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Rick bats and bouquets. You've got some to hand out.
Speaker 6 (18:45):
Oh well, it's really pleased to see Tama Potucker, the
Minister for Conservation, announce another million, one million dollars for
wld in pine control. So just to just to I
guess to revalidate the issue here, it's two million hipties
have already been infestated by walden pines and it's creeping
in at ninetieth ninety thousand hipties a year of you
(19:09):
know of land, food producing land that's been destroyed. So
actually potentially a worse problem than the creeping carbon forestry problem.
I just hope this funding goes to the right place,
not just an Edmond trail, but really good to up
the anty on weeds and hopefully peaced as well.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Mind you, Jane, is one million dollars enough. I know
it's going for people on the grounds, maybe even the
volunteer workforce and that, but they've already announced the funding,
by my reckoning the story I read yesterday of what
one hundred and nine million, So in terms of you know, proportionality,
it's not a huge additional contribution.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
No, but I think this is also targeting areas that
hadn't been I guess taken into account before. So hopefully
that means that you know that the locals and the
landowners and the and the lease hold it people in
those areas will actually have more of a say in
terms of where that goes as well, Jamie. So again
a drop in the bucket, but certainly in the right
direction in terms of where we need to be heading
(20:09):
with weeds and peace. And speaking of peace, the brickback
that I did want to give out Jamie, or is
believe it or not, to the Green Party, they've clearly
been smoking too much Golden Bay Hay. Once again, I
see they want to give specifically give Maria's two point
four billion dollars to upgrade. Now, nothing wrong with that
in itself, but you know that they've actually said that
(20:30):
the Mariaza they do all the heavy lifting and emergency
situations for our communities, and you know that in terms
of that, assuming that special treatment versus you know, there's
lions clubs and rugby clubs and schools and rural halls
that do plenty all times of the year, including in emergencies,
and many of our areas don't have a maria. So
we've just got to be very very careful that that again,
(20:52):
we're not I guess diverging off to give special treatment
to areas.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
And I guess coming towards.
Speaker 6 (20:59):
Election, there'll be lots of lollly scramble handouts and over promises,
but let's just get back to the basics, you know,
the big three infrastructure, health and education, and that's who
gets my vote, Jamie, in terms of just sticking to
the basics. And ideally, imagine if we were big enough
to come up with a bipartisan agreement for a twenty
year plan and then they could just fight around the
fringes of everything else. But gosh, that would be a great,
(21:20):
great place to be in, Jamie, and much more interesting
than any sort of leadership battles out on the front.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Jane Smith, North Otago, Thanks for your time, good luck
in the good luck in the sheepyards this afternoon.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Thanks Jamie, there.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
We go, Jane Smith spang on twelve thirty. Here on
the country, we're eagerly awaiting news from the Bee. I've
I've got a text from someone who should know, who
shall remain nameless. If it was a new leader, they
would be setting up not where they currently are, which
is apparently the Banquet Hall. It would be in another
(21:55):
room where the new leaders are announced, the Grand Hall.
So there you go. Adding are more conspiracy theories to
the mix Summy texts coming up? Have national MP's not
remembered the Todd Muller fiesco bloody crazy, says Chris. Well,
here's a sad one that's just coming. Did you know
Clive Dalton x ruakura Man died recently? No, I didn't.
(22:19):
He was a great contributor to New Zealand agriculture. That's
also from Chris. If Luxon resigns from politics, that's this government.
Why the word starts with an f hm Hi Jamie.
If the current lots think they can do any better
(22:39):
than Christopher Luck Christopher lux and they're dreaming he's outstanding
for us on the world stage where it really matters.
No one could hold a candle to him, says Tony.
And Tony's got a fair point.
Speaker 7 (22:49):
There.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
He's done. He's done a good job along with Todd
McLay with the likes of the ND and ft A right, okay,
Michelle has passed me note and I can read it.
Well done, Michelle, good work and she's it's just numbers.
It's just numbers, she said. Twelve thirty five. We're expecting
(23:11):
an announcement. We'll take a break, maybe come back with
the new or existing Prime Minister. Tunity said, welcome back
to the country Hall and Oates Man eater for Erica.
I don't know whether Erica is eaten Luson. I quite like.
(23:33):
I like Chris Luckson. I think he's been a good
prime minister for farming and for the rural sector in
this country. But that's only one man's opinion. It's only
forty nine or forty eight other people's opinions who count.
We're standing by for twelve thirty five, so let's just
quickly rip through rural news and sports news. His Michelle
with Rural.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
News, the Country's Rural News with cub Cadet. It's one
thing to talk innovation, another to back it up it.
We dare you visit steel for dot cod NZ for
your local store guest.
Speaker 7 (24:06):
Thanks Jamie, and shout out to Nathan for standing up
for left handers everywhere out there. Thanks for that, Nathan.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
My sister's a left hander and she's a chock lady.
Speaker 7 (24:14):
And thanks smart on here too, Jamie.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
How are you well? I was just look if it's
like disciplining kids, God knows my grandchildren could do with that.
When you say something nasty about a person, your handwriting
which is appalling, I've got to say something nice and
you are smart. You just have appalling handwriting.
Speaker 7 (24:31):
It's called the compliments sandwich.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Jamie, Yes, okay, where you go, where we go?
Speaker 7 (24:35):
Real News. The government is seeking feedback on proposals designed
to strengthen and grow New Zealand's organic sector. Associate agg
Minister Mike Butterix says the industry is worth more than
one point eight billion dollars, with organic exports topping six
hundred million dollars thanks to strong global demand for premium
and sustainability sustainably produced products. The consultation covers several proposed
(24:57):
regulatory changes, including a National Organic Mark e ZEB three
sholds for some operators, infringement notices, and other technical amendments,
submissions are now open through the Ministry of Primary Industries
for that and you have sport there.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Jamie sports on the country with AFCO business. Well done well.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I got up early and watched the All Blacks. The
second half I didn't bother with the first half, missed
nothing there. The second half was really good. All Blacks
coach over and he admits they'll need to make an
adjustment at scrum time. After two wins from as many
matches on their tour of South Africa, New Zealand copped
two penalties at set Peace during their otherwise impressive fifty
four mil route of the Sharks in Durbin. You've got
(25:37):
to be mentioned that the Sharks are very much under strength.
The coaching staff are confident Damien McKenzie will recover quickly
from an ank or injury. Right, let's just see if
we've got anything coming down the line from Wellington. Does
that sound like anything to you, Michelle Night yet?
Speaker 7 (25:56):
But I think we'll just wait here a couple of
minutes because I know that they were definitely getting set
up down there and getting ready to.
Speaker 8 (26:02):
Go and know.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Here what we're going to do. We are going to
go to a break and come back to this conference,
Welcome back to the country. Coming up to twenty away
from one. We are waiting with baited breath for something
to come out of the beehive. Let's just see if
there's anything on our direct link to Wellington. No, there
(26:30):
is not, so Michelle, you keep monitoring that in the meantime. Well,
it's the next best thing. Mike Peterson a former chair
of Beef and Lamb, New Zealand's former Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
These days the chair of Scales, You've spent many at
many an hour day month treading the corridors of power.
What are you picking?
Speaker 8 (26:51):
Well, Jamie, it's really heartening to know that I'm not
exactly the main course here. You know, I'm definitely a
substitute until the news comes through. But look, and I've
always been picking that the current PM will be the
PM that takes this party to the election. So I've
been always quite clear that they need to be consistent.
(27:11):
I've heard Nathan Guy earlier. A change at this time
I think would be quite destructive. And so my bed
is on Crystal Luxen to lead national and for us
the Center Right to actually win the election.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
And I'm just repeating what I said earlier, but I
think it's a comment worth making. He's been a good
Prime Minister for farming, the primary sector and agriculture.
Speaker 8 (27:36):
No doubt about it, Jamie. And I think the trouble
is we are seeing two economies in New Zealand at
the moment, and if you're an agri or regional New Zealand,
by and large, you're doing pretty well. But the big challenge,
of course that politicians have got is that Auckland is
the challenge and so unless you can win a good
proportion of the seats in Auckland, it's pretty hard to
(27:57):
win the election in spite of the region buoyancy that's
happening out there. So part of this discontent will be,
you know, particularly the big urban centers like Auckland and
Wellington to a lesser extent, that are really struggling.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Still, what do you make of Winston's relative silence. He's
hardly said anything. David Seymour was on with Hosking this
morning he said this is all very destabilizing and he's
dead right there, but cunning on one. He hasn't said
much at all.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
No, and would you expect that?
Speaker 8 (28:30):
I mean, I think he has been in the Pacific
Island somewhere over the last few days. But no, Look,
he's an experienced operator, Jamie. You've seen that coming through
in spades.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
The guy.
Speaker 8 (28:42):
I think there was a couple of points made earlier
in the week is that you know this coalition, yes,
start fighting each other for votes, but they're not fighting.
They're all pretty much aligned on the direction of travel.
And you're always going to get individual parties coming out
with different views. At this stage of the election, the
center right is really scrambling to China and votes of
(29:03):
each other.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Mike, it smeat matters week here on the country. Have
you ever known red meat to be better? You've had
a long and distinguished farming career.
Speaker 8 (29:12):
Oh, it's exciting times, Jamie. And certainly for the meat sector,
the meat industry, this is not just a fed or
something that's going away. Correct with each yelp ones are
making a difference. There's a no doubt a trend and
certainly a rush to protein rich, naturally produced proteins, and
(29:35):
that's what New Zealand does so so well. So I
know the sectors in good heart. We've got a couple
of challenges, of course, and always do around things like
tariffs and some of those issues, even like the China
import quotas that have come up, which is putting a
bit more pressure on the US beef market at the
moment because Brazil and Australia are sending more product to
that market. But the fundamentals of naturally produced grapt fed
(29:59):
meat are very strong.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
It's exciting to see you're.
Speaker 3 (30:02):
The chair of Scales Corp, one of our biggest horticultural companies,
but you make most of your money out of pet food.
Speaker 5 (30:09):
We do, Jamie.
Speaker 8 (30:10):
It's three divisions and their logistics of course, which has
been challenging, but and then pet food ingredients and of
course horticulture the other third divisions. So and pet food
ingredients is going pretty strongly, to be honest, and we've
been partnering with others and various markets around the world.
It's a truly global business now, so we're pretty happy
(30:32):
with we we're tracking there. And horticulture of course has
had a bit of a bad name lately with a
couple of high profile Apple companies that have gone into liquidation,
and that's a bit of a shame because actually the
sector is fundamentally strong and the good players in the
sector are making good money and performing well, so having
(30:53):
bad publicity in the sector unfortunately has been difficult for us,
but you know, we still fundamently believe it's a great
sector to be involved with.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
How is the farming season going in Central Hawk's Bay
where you love.
Speaker 8 (31:08):
Yes, Central Hawk's Bay is. It's a normal winter, Jamie.
It's been pretty cold of late, but we headed into
the winter in really good shape. Look, we've had some
rather heavy rain events, but it hadn't carried on and
I think if you looked around today, you'd actually say
we could keep We want to keep getting rain. There's
a bit of nervousness about the super owl Nino that
(31:31):
they're talking about developing in regions like Hawk's Bay of course,
are particularly vulnerable to those types of weather patterns, and
so there is a bit of nervousness, and I suspect
there'll be a lot of early decisions made in Hawk's
Bay around, you know, selling stock in the spring if
things do stay dry. But at the moment, I'd say
we're in good shape, but obviously looking for more rain
(31:54):
and consistent rain as we get into the spring.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Kate Ackland was on kicking off meat Matters Week on Monday,
and she's saying carbon farming is still a threat. And
I know that you know you're not a carbon farmer, Mike,
but you're into the business, so I mean, talk to me.
Is it still a threat? Are we still losing good
pastoral land to forestry and I'm talking about land that
should be growing food, not trees.
Speaker 8 (32:19):
Well, we don't appear to be, Jamie. And I heard
the interview, and look, you know, we have had some
high profile farms planted in this region in Hawk's Bay
in recent times, and certainly the IKEA portfolio has been
on the media in the media quite a bit. But look,
the reality is that actually that seems to have stopped. Yes,
(32:42):
I wouldn't deny that there are still some planting happening,
but it's nowhere.
Speaker 5 (32:46):
Near what it was.
Speaker 8 (32:47):
And in fact, I would say that the government regulations
have really effectively killed that, alongside you know, the collapse
and the carbon price of course, which is a disincentive
for those wanting to do that.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
One more to throw across your bow. You haven't been
out helping you, mate, Steve. When Harris look for meteorites,
have you.
Speaker 8 (33:06):
Mike, No, I haven't Jamie Iven quite crossed the threshold
into that, and look, I need to have a lot
more time on my hands, frankly to spend five or
six days in the wire wrapper looking for a piece
of rock that came from space. But you know, good
on them. And he's an amazing guy the way he
pursues these these pieces of fragments that are coming into
(33:28):
the US atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
So well, you got to you got to, Mike. You've
got a question a bloke who's sitting in a hot
tub at ten thirty at night looking for astroid's flying
across the horizon.
Speaker 8 (33:41):
Jamie, you're going to lose viewers very quickly if you
start putting visits of that. And I can tell you
when Harris in the hot tub at ten thirty at night,
it's not more.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
No no, no, no, no, no hate. Mike, just stay
online if you can, just in case, because we've been
we're under strict starts orders here and not to go
to a break because we're expecting. So let's just see
if anything coming down the line. No, there's nothing coming
down the line. So what we'll do is Mike will
just keep Mike there because we're going to have to
buy some time. But in the meantime, let's get some
(34:10):
of your feedback in there, or we could display hall
and notes, but I'll do your feedback in politics, Jamie.
When it comes to giving out jobs, I would remind
you of the saying keep your friends close and your
enemies closer, presumably so when you can see what they're
up to. From Bern and manuwatu ps your focus on
(34:32):
meat week is really good. Thank you Bern and manor
Tu Jamie. If they roll uson, I think I will
vote ACT first time ever. I think there's a lot
of people who are thinking on the center right that
they may be disgruntled if they change the leader, and
they may go with ACT or New Zealand first. Yes,
(34:56):
and the Todd Muller fiesco raises its head again. Right, So, Michelle,
didn't you did you agree in politics? Or is it psychology?
Speaker 7 (35:08):
Psychology? But I do love politics and psychology has a
lot to do with it.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
All right, we'll bring you in and we'll bring Mike
in because we're just buying time. Hello, Mike, you're back.
Speaker 5 (35:16):
Are you doing here?
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Right here? We'll let Michelle have her say, where are
you going? Me?
Speaker 1 (35:21):
Say?
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Well, only if only if I agree with it.
Speaker 7 (35:24):
Oh, you never agree with me, Jamie. As you know,
I'm a political when I'm in this room, so I
won't allow anything to come out. But I do think
at the stage Luxeon is probably going to come out
and be safe.
Speaker 5 (35:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
The interesting thing is Mike, and I've mentioned this, but
it's worth repeating. A good story is worth repeating. Last
night everyone was telling me that he was toasting Erica
Stanford had the numbers. Something changed overnight and this morning.
And the other thing they're saying is the longer the
meeting lasts, and it's been going for over three hours now,
(35:57):
the better chance we have, or the better chances Christopher
Lucksen has of remaining National Party leader and Prime minister.
What do you think?
Speaker 8 (36:05):
I think that's right, Jamie. You've got to remember Christopher
Luckxin's he's an incredibly proud person and there's no doubt
in my mind that if he felt he did not
have the ability to carry the caucus, he would resign
quite quickly, and you make it clean and easy. So
as I say, I'm still confident that he could and
should come through. But you know, these caucus politics are
(36:29):
really difficult to read. So I could be proven wrong
in a few minutes time, but it must He's an
incredible you know. I think one of the things about
Crystalph luckxin he's misunderstood a lot because if you talk
to people who meet with him and insurrect with him
and talk with him, they all say that he's an
incredibly intelligent and incredibly nice guy and that they enjoy
(36:50):
spending time with him. But you know, it seems to
me that when the media get a bit of a
be in the bottom around some of these issues and
they start to whip into a freezy again. Met him
all on a town and I don't believe those calls
from last night, to be honest, that he was posted
last night.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
I just don't accept it.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
The okay, well, they may looks like they might be
proven to be wrong. The other thing about him is
and if you see him in his comfortable space that's
often rural New Zealand or field days or primary industry
awards or whatever, he's very gregarious, very comfortable moving amongst
large crowds and chatting to literally anyone. My observation of
(37:29):
Chris Hipkins, who I don't know, as well as Chris
Luxon is that. I think he's a wee bit of
an introvert. I'm not sure he's totally comfortable being in public.
Speaker 8 (37:39):
No, they are very different people. And you know, one
of the things I think that the Crystal elections so
good at, which I think would be really tough for
a lot of people, is actually bringing over all of
the issues at the same time. It doesn't matter whether
you're talking agriculture primary sector one minute, you could be
talking about education sector, the new store, what's happening in
(38:01):
an overseas markets and trades. So and he's got a
really good hand on all of that information. So look,
that's going to be an interesting call today. But let's
just wait and see. Well, I did notice that Damian O'Connor,
a friend of the Country of Good, was handing handing
out popcorn to the media there today. Chicky Basto, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:19):
I thought that.
Speaker 3 (38:20):
I thought that was Michelle passed me that note as well. Yeah,
are n Z live labor MP. Damian O'Connor has dropped
off a few bags of popcorn to the press gallery
waiting for the National Party Caucus to conclude this morning.
I say, well played, Damien O'Connor.
Speaker 8 (38:37):
Oh, absolutely and of course on the other side of
the house, I'll be watching this with a lot of glee,
and I guess there are other parties too that might
be quite quite interested in this, And no doubt the
Opportunity's Party will say, here we go. This is old
politics playing out in the public arena, and that's not
what we should be doing.
Speaker 3 (38:54):
Okay, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, we might have to
go to Wellington. Hold fire.
Speaker 9 (39:08):
Great one, Hey, well Kyoto, Good morning everyone. As you know,
this is an absolutely pivotal election with some very very
serious issues at stake for New Zealand. We think we
have made tremendous progress as a government, rebuilding economic growth,
financial discipline, restoring law and order, and certainly strengthening education
and healthcare. But we also acknowledge that we have a
(39:30):
lot more to do. Our plan to fix the basics
and to build the future is a positive plan, a
very positive plan to help New Zealand realize the innate
potential that it has. There was a confidence vot of
my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting. I have
the full support of our caucus, and our caucus is
united and it is determined to win this election. Our
(39:51):
focus is on National's positive plan to fix the basics
and to build the future, so that we realize the
incredible potential that sits in this country and that we
set it up for our kids and our grandkids so
they can do better than we can. It's also an
opportunity to frame the choice for voters, which is crystal
clear on November seventh, an opposition that wants to take
(40:12):
New Zealand backwards or a National government that wants to
fix the basics and build the future, and of the
plan that takes New Zealand forward. With that, I want
to say thanks everyone. We're going back to work and
we're moving on.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Well.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
And I'm guessing from those noises that he has decided
to in the press conference. Yeah, that's it. Okay, what
we're going to do is quickly go to a break
and come back and wrap today's proceedings. Okay, wrapping of
(41:03):
a country. Right, Some some of your feedback coming in
all over the place. Did the press gallery just get
a polite f off from APM? Well, it didn't look like.
We haven't got a screen in front of us, We
only had the audio. It looks like he did a
mic drop and just got out of there and got
on him. Look, he needs to be more like Winston.
He needs to be grumpier with the press. Remember who's
(41:26):
calling the shots. It's not the press, it's him. He's
the Prime Minister. He will lead us into the election,
or lead the National center right coalition into the election.
And if you're a center right voter or of a
center right persuasion, you got to get in behind the bloke. Anyhow,
Just think of what could be a whole lot worse.
(41:46):
Imagine a four headed monster on the other side. And
I'm talking from a farming constituency here. You're welcome to
have your own opinion. More about this on tomorrow's show,
and more about it this afternoon on news Talk Z'B.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie Mackay and the Isuzu m ux suv
backed by a six year warranty.
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