MPI cuts 391 jobs
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
An innovation programme that will pave the way for generating more value from forestry waste by converting it to liquid biofuels is to receive government funding through the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
MPI has approved co-funding of $6.75 million for the 14-month 'Stump to Pump' PGP programme.
Stump to Pump partners Norske Skog and Z Energy will match funding of $6.75 million, bringing the project's total funding to $13.5 million.
This relatively short-term PGP programme will study the feasibility, including the cost-effectiveness, of making biofuel from forestry waste. It will determine the commercial viability of establishing a modular test plant to process New Zealand forest waste into sustainable transport fuel.
Currently, the material left over after harvesting and processing, such as sawdust, bark and harvest residue, has little or no value.
"If this material can be used commercially, then we can maximise the value of every tree harvested to the benefit of our primary sector and our economy," says MPI's acting director-general Roger Smith.
"If this technology can be commercialised, the estimated economic benefit for New Zealand over the next 20–25 years is an annual increase in GDP of up to $1 billion and the creation of 1,200 direct jobs."
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says the programme has obvious sustainability and environmental benefits.
Local production of biofuels from forestry waste could be a game-changer for New Zealand and could also reduce the industry's dependency on imported fuel," Guy says.
"Since the PGP was launched three years ago, 16 exciting innovative projects are underway," he adds.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
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