No shortage of good sentiment at Fieldays
business rural about 1 hour ago
As many as 100,000 people are expected through the southern hemisphere's biggest agricultural event this week. Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos spoke to Corin Dann.
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1News
8 hours ago
- 1News
PM to visit China and Europe, will meet Xi Jinping
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to the country's largest trading partner next week, before moving on to Europe. He will be joined by a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders in China's Shanghai and Beijing from June 17 to June 20. He will meet senior officials including President Xi Jinping. The visit would focus on growing trade, which was worth over $38 billion last year, as well as also look to strengthen education and tourism links and to maximise opportunities for New Zealand businesses. Luxon said China was a "vital part of our economic story" as New Zealand's largest trading partner, source of international students and third-largest tourism market. "New Zealand is a trusted supplier of safe, high-quality food and beverage products to Chinese consumers. It is an important market, and I look forward to doing what I can to support Kiwi businesses to thrive. ADVERTISEMENT "This visit is about backing the recovery of international education and tourism and putting New Zealand front and centre as a world-class destination for travel, study, and long-term connection." The Prime Minister will meet China's top leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, to discuss the comprehensive bilateral relationship and key regional and global issues. Their face-to-face meeting has been hailed a success by the PM as it concentrated on trade issues. (Source: 1News) "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand." The Prime Minister would be accompanied by the 2025 Te Matatini champions, Te Kapa Haka o Ngatī Whakaue. Europe Luxon will then travel on to Europe to undertake bilateral visits in Brussels and the Hague from June 21 to 25. ADVERTISEMENT He would be meeting meet with leaders, including from the European Union, to discuss trade, security, and the shifting geopolitical landscape. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including Air India crash, ferry still out of action, and ignoring TikTok KiwiSaver hacks. (Source: 1News) 'We have a high-quality trade relationship with the European Union, and the Netherlands and Belgium are gateways for New Zealand's growing exports to Europe," he said. "Since the early entry into force of the New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement, Kiwi goods exports have grown by over 25%, which is a more than $1 billion increase." In the Netherlands, the Prime Minister would participate in the NATO Summit and hold one-on-one talks with a number of NATO leaders. 'Prosperity is only possible with security, and our discussions will focus on connections between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security environments,' Luxon said.
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Scoop
New Ute Owners Warned Of Looming 'Tax Grenade'
Correction: This article has been updated to clarify the $21,060 figure was in taxable benefits, not necessarily the full amount of tax that would be owed; and that the IRD is still consulting on the proposal. Farmers and tradies buying utes under the government's Investment Boost initiative will be hit by a "tax grenade" in the form of a fringe benefit tax (FBT), according to an expert. Findex tax advisory partner Craig Macalister said the repeal of a work-related vehicle FBT exemption for mixed private and business use committed to in the government's latest Budget will result in tax implications for people who use their utes for business. IRD was consulting on the proposed changes. Under the change, farmers with a mixed used farm ute costing $70,000 will be hit with an annual FBT bill of $6370, at the proposed 26 percent rate for petrol and diesel vehicles. "Farmers are buying vehicles at Fieldays, looking forward to a reduced cost thanks to depreciation deductibility, but oblivious to the tax grenade coming their way in 12 months," Macalister said. "Worse still, any vehicle over $80,000 - such as a $75,000 ute with $6000 in extras - will be classified as 100 percent taxable, resulting in a staggering $21,060 in FBT per year in [taxable benefit]." A tax of about $10,000 or $13,000 could then apply. Macalister said consultation on the tax changes had not been given inadequate consideration, resulting in a policy that over-taxed essential business assets. "In our view, the use of the current FBT exemption strikes the right balance for work-related vehicles. Scrapping it will hurt farmers and other industries reliant on utility vehicles," he said. "These utes are not perks or 'Remuera tractors' - they're essential tools for carrying equipment, personnel and of course dogs on and off the farm. "Yet, the IRD seems locked in a paradigm that views any provided vehicle as a perk to be taxed, unless it's an emergency vehicle."
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Progress made to fix Shotover wastewater treatment plant issues, Queenstown Lakes District Council says
Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant in Queenstown. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Lakes District Council The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says it's already made progress in fixing issues with its troubled Shotover wastewater treatment plant, and is ahead of plans to significantly upgrade the plant by the end of the year. It comes after the Environment Court imposed a number of conditions on the plant to address negative effects on the environment. The decision, released on Monday, outlined seven pages of separate enforcement orders, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. It was released after mediation between QLDC, Queenstown Airport Corporation and Otago Regional Council. QLDC general manager of property and infrastructure Tony Avery said the orders largely reflected activities and investments the council had already identified and committed to. "We're ahead of our programme to significantly upgrade the wastewater treatment plant by the end of this year, which will introduce a second treatment reactor and a range of supporting infrastructure to further improve the quality of treated water discharged from the facility and cater for our growing district." He said the results of ongoing testing of the treated wastewater since direct discharge began remained well within consented limits. The Environment Court's requirements relate to the operation, maintenance and upgrading of the facility, and include but are not limited to: The decision also requires QLDC to submit a consent application for a new disposal system by May 2026, and to implement that system by December 2030. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
