Speech opening Red Meat Conference 2026
New Zealand’s government opened the Red Meat Conference 2026 by highlighting a 66-point rise in rural confidence since 2023 and announcing measures to expand export value and land-use flexibility while maintaining environmental standards.
New Zealand’s rural confidence has rebounded from minus 66 per cent in late 2023 to plus 37 per cent two years later, reflecting restored farmer confidence after regulatory changes. Red meat and wool exports reached $14.8 billion in the year to June, a 20 per cent increase on the prior year, while average sheep and beef farm profit is forecast to nearly double to around $287,600 per farm this season.
The government cited expanded market access as a key driver, including early implementation of the EU free trade deal, securing beef tariff removal in the US, and ensuring China’s beef quota exceeds Australia’s with no limits on New Zealand exports. Officials also highlighted a grass-fed standard backed by government assurance, $8 million in Chinese co-funding for the Taste Pure Nature campaign, and over $10 million for the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme to convert dairy calves into premium beef.
Regulatory reforms were outlined, including replacing the RMA to eliminate up to 22,000 consents, simplifying freshwater farm plans, and preventing productive land conversion to pine forests for carbon credits. The government also accelerated approvals for veterinary medicines and farm products to match overseas competitors’ access times.
The government set a target to double export value by 2034, aligning with industry goals to reach $24 billion by 2035. New policies like land-use flexibility were introduced to allow farmers to adapt to market changes without lowering environmental or climate commitments, while investments in hill-country pasture improvement and methane reduction tools aim to boost productivity and sustainability.