Listen to The Country online: Rural Women NZ president Sandra Matthews on pay equity changes

Rural Women New Zealand's national president, Sandra Matthews, spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay today.

Today on The Country radio show, host Jamie Mackay catches up with Rural Women New Zealand’s national president, Sandra Matthews.

She discusses how the government’s pay equity changes will impact rural communities.

On with the show:

Richard McIntyre and Mark Hooper:

Federated Farmers’ banking spokesmen - past and present - say the Reserve Bank’s decision to review bank capital rules is the first step towards lower interest rates and fairer access to finance for farmers.

Mike Petersen:

Scales Corporation’s chairman (and former chairman of Beef + Lamb NZ, Special Ag Trade Envoy) has reported a 50% increase in earnings and net profit in the first half of the year, and directors have lifted their guidance for full-year earnings to be between $45 million and $50 million.

Petersen says the horticulture division reported excellent performance in part due to long-term strategic investment in apple varieties suited to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

Sandra Matthews:

Rural Women New Zealand has called on the Government to reconsider changes to the Equal Pay Act that threaten to entrench pay inequities and exacerbate workforce shortages in rural communities.

We catch up with the national president to find out more.

Hunter McGregor:

Our China correspondent comments on hot Shanghai nights and the high rate of growth of third-tier cities such as Huzhou.

Stu Duncan and Stu Loe:

Today’s farmer panel talks lambing and footy.

Listen below: