The Rise of Paerata and the fall of farming in Franklin

The Rise of Paerata and the fall of farming in Franklin
Brent Melville
Franklin farmers Steve and Andrea Mills are facing up to the loss of their dairy farm's prize asset, their 50-bale rotary cowshed, which will make way for the fast expanding Paerata Rise township within a year or so.For the Mills, who have been 50:50 sharemilkers for property owner Grafton Downs for the past 15 years, losing the $500,000 milking system is the price of progress.The Fonterra suppliers have already had to cut their dairy cow herd from 560 to 480. Days are numbered also for the attendant five hectare kiwifruit or...

More Primary Sector

Pāmu narrows profit forecast, expects record year
Primary Sector

Pāmu narrows profit forecast, expects record year

Its record year was foreshadowed last month. 

Riley Kennedy 24 Jul 2025
Beefed-up tariffs on Brazil no threat to NZ’s pricing
Primary Sector

Beefed-up tariffs on Brazil no threat to NZ’s pricing

NZ is a high-value premium producer of beef, as opposed to Brazil.

Riley Kennedy 24 Jul 2025
Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050
Primary Sector

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050

The bullish goal represents a six-fold increase over 2024 figures.

Oliver Lewis 24 Jul 2025
Global meat demand surges, but NZ’s supply is lagging
Primary Sector

Global meat demand surges, but NZ’s supply is lagging

It could be costing NZ hundreds of millions of dollars in lost export revenue.

Riley Kennedy 23 Jul 2025