Damien O'connor
Canterbury farmers say they're at breaking point
Canterbury farmers say they're at breaking point. A recent Ministry of Health report presented to MPs shows suicide is up 20 percent in rural areas compared with a drop of 10 per cent in cities and… Audio
Wood wars: Timber manufacturers fighting to survive
Timber manufacturers say growers are caught in the crossfire of the log price war and it's crippling the New Zealand industry. The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association told a meeting in… Audio
Whitebaiters feel unfairly targeted by govt
Whitebaiters on the West Coast are worried they're being unfairly targeted by the government as it attempts to bring in tighter rules around indigenous freshwater fish. The bill would stop some… Audio
Westland Milk losing NZ ownership would be 'a sad day' - Agriculture Minister
Westland has been made an offer for sale by a Chinese dairy company - for nearly $600 million, and the board is advising it's shareholders to accept it.
Corin Dann spoke to the Agriculture Minister… Audio
M bovis: Farmers urged to follow national tracking system
The Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor is calling for dairy farmers to step up and comply with the national tracking system, with just days to go until moving day.
That's June 1, when… Audio
O'Connor 'cavalier' in comments on Waiho River - West Coast mayor
The Westland District Council is rejecting accusations by West Coast MP and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor that it's been 'cavalier' in casting blame over flooding of the Waiho River. The… Audio
West Coast MP responds to criticism of stopbank proposal
The Westland District mayor is vowing to fight a proposal that would remove the flood protection stopbanks at Waiho River and allow the river to return to its natural course. The regional council is… Audio
Govt announces support for Nelson-Tasman farmers, growers
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor has announced $50,000 to help Nelson-Tasman farmers and growers in what has been described as a medium-scale adverse event. He joined Checkpoint live. Video, Audio
Nelson fire: Financial assistance discussed - O'Connor
The Prime Minister flies into Nelson on Thursday on an Air Force Hercules to assess the fire damage in Tasman. The Civil Defence Minister Kris Faffoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor were on… Audio
Fight against M Bovis continues
2019 is set to be another big year for the farming sector, as it continues to fight the cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis. In May the government announced it would try to eradicate the disease, which… Audio
New million-dollar 3-D imaging x-ray scanner for Auckland Airport
A sophisticated x-ray will help biosecurity officers identify items like dried meat, goods hidden behind laptops and stink bugs.
Needles in Auckland strawberries 'sick' - Agriculture Minister
A punnet of Australian strawberries contaminated with needles has been found in Auckland yesterday in the first such reported case here. The Primary Industries Minister, Damien O'Connor, says it's… Audio
Auckland urban sprawl may hit vege growers hard - report
Would you fork out almost 6 bucks for a lettuce? The horticulture industry says you might have to in the not too distant future. A new report is predicting fresh fruit and vegetables prices could jump… Audio
Govt announces West Coast investment plan
A new passenger rail service between Hokitika and Westport is on a short-list of plans to revitalise the West Coast economy. Video, Audio
Damien O'Connor - Why eradication was the right decision
Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor joins Checkpoint live to discuss the government's decision to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis, rather than trying to contain it. He talks to John… Video, Audio