With two feature guests this week, this episode discusses into issues in New Zealand's food and fibre sector, including the proposed Dawn Meat deal by Alliance Group, the celebration of 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand, and the ongoing connectivity challenges faced by rural communities. 

Feature | Alliance’s Next Move: Insights from Farmer Meetings
1:39 – Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne joins Bryan to discuss how farmers are reacting to the proposed investment by Dawn Meats. He’s been fronting a series of farmer meetings and says there have been some insightful questions asked.

Feature | 100 Years of Empowering Rural Women
13:53 – Rural Women NZ chief executive Sandra Matthews tells Bryan how the 100-year celebrations are going for the organisation. She says it’s a year of both looking back with pride, while ensuring they’re primed to take on the years ahead.

Feds Focus | Rural Connectivity Shows No improvement
27.24 – Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper reveals the findings of the latest rural connectivity survey, which shows internet access hasn’t improved in rural areas, and some are reporting that it is getting worse.

The Final Word
35:55 – Synlait’s annual results show that the milk processor is back on track, with a proposed sale of its North Island operations imminent. But, like Fonterra, Synlait has slimmed down its strategy and discarded some projects. Have NZ processors realised they can’t do everything and should stay out of some parts of the supply chain?