Government backs food & fibre sector’s success

What's at stake

Who feels it

Farmers, growers, agricultural businesses, farm employees, rural communities, and primary sector workers (approximately 1 in 7 NZ workers). Includes operators in wilding pine control, agricultural emissions reduction, soil and water catchment management, and primary sector growth projects.

Money in play

$4.77 billion baseline funding over four years to MPI. Breakdown: $109 million over 3 years (wilding pine control); $437 million over 4 years (agricultural emissions reduction technology); $266 million over 4 years (Primary Sector Growth Fund); $40.5 million over 4 years (farmer-led catchment groups).

Timing

Budget 2026 allocation effective from 01 July 2026 (start of FY 2026–27). All funding tranches committed over four-year baseline period to 30 June 2030. Wilding pine control funding over three years (01 July 2026 – 30 June 2029).

How it works

Budget 2026 baseline funding allocation to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) under the annual appropriations process. Funding administered through MPI operational and contestable grant programmes (Primary Sector Growth Fund, farmer-led catchment groups scheme).

Key context

Check eligibility criteria and application timelines for Primary Sector Growth Fund grants opening from 01 July 2026.Farmers and growers managing wilding pine affected land: monitor MPI announcements on control funding deployment and regional prioritisation.Agricultural businesses developing or adopting emissions reduction technology: track contestable funding rounds under the $437 million allocation.Farmer-led catchment groups: confirm group registration and land management plan requirements to access $40.5 million support scheme.Monitor MPI public announcements on regulatory reform outcomes linked to Budget 2026 baseline funding (cost-cutting, compliance reduction).Sector export targets: primary sector exports projected to reach $62 billion in calendar year 2026 — track actual performance against target.

Wider effects

Climate change mitigation (agricultural emissions reduction technology); environmental outcomes (wilding pine control, catchment management tied to water quality and biodiversity); rural resilience and wellbeing; regulatory reform agenda (red tape reduction); trade policy (New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement market access).