Unhelpful politics
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says the succession of Recovery Ministers who have resigned or left has not made his life easy.
The Government is backing moves to recognise and celebrate outstanding employers in the primary sector.
Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri, who recently launched the new Good Employer Awards, says New Zealand needs to attract, develop and keep people in our primary industries.
“An important part of this is providing great work environments where employees feel supported, safe and have the opportunity to develop and grow.
“In our forestry workforce, we need employees and employers to develop new skills that focus on sustainability, resilience and accountability,” Whaitiri says.
The new awards are sponsored by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research Development Trust, recognising good employers in the following categories:
- innovative employment practices
- employee development
- safe and healthy work environments
- Māori agribusiness
- minister’s award.
“The primary industries employs about one in seven New Zealanders and as many as one in three in some regions.
That’s a lot of people and it’s time we started celebrating those employers who are doing an outstanding job,” says Whaitiri.
“I’m also very pleased to include my own award for a regional employer that has shown a commitment to improving employment practices in their region.”
Nomination entries close on August 10, 2018; winners will be announced in November.
Scope for many entries
The inaugural MPI/AgMARDT Primary Industries Good Employer Awards is looking for primary sector employers or businesses who are:
- providing great working conditions
- giving their staff opportunities for upskilling and promotion
- demonstrating exceptionally good employment practice.
Nominees may be individuals, businesses, or organisations that are actively involved in the primary industries or provide support services to the primary industries.
Examples of support services are:
- fertiliser and pesticide manufacturers
- equipment manufacturers and repairers
- transport services
- professional services like rural consultants.
One of Fonterra’s global customers, Mars is launching an ambitious sustainable dairy plan to work with dairy farmers and cut emissions by 50%.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive for the past eight years, Sam McIvor is heading for new pastures at Ospri, which runs NZ’s integrated animal disease management and traceability service.
The world's largest wool scouring facility, WoolWorks Awatoto plant in Napier, is back operating at full capacity.
A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media and politicians.
Feeling forgotten and in a fragile space financially and mentally.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.