increase font size
John Luxton, outgoing DairyNZ chairman.
The dairy industry has unveiled a new joint workplace action to attract skilled workers.
DairyNZ chairman John Luxton says one aim of the industry's 10-year strategy is to see 90% of dairy farm businesses having quality work environments by 2020.
The new Sustainable Dairying: Workplace Action Plan is a joint campaign by Ministry of Primary Industries, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ.
Luxton says the components of this new plan should ensure the strategy works.
"We are competing with all the other career opportunities on offer across the globe. We're not always the most attractive choice for many young people these days and we need to be if we want to develop and retain the workforce we need," he says.
The new plan proposes five aspects of good people management: balanced and productive work time, fair remuneration and wellness, wellbeing and health and safety. Key expectations are that the industry will improve its record in health and safety and that all businesses will meet legal and employment requirements.
A dairy employee guide has been produced and measures are in place to track the industry's progress against the plan.
Federated Farmers dairy chair Andrew Hoggard says the quality of the work environment a farmer provides is central to attracting and retaining staff.
"Most dairy farm businesses have positive workplaces because farmers see the benefits for everyone if they can get and keep good staff. This is why DairyNZ and Federated Farmers have worked together on this plan.
"We recognise... practice is not uniform across all businesses and that parts of our industry need to lift their performance to make dairy farming more attractive to a greater number of employees," Hoggard says.
"A good work environment does not stop with just doing the minimum.
"We're encouraging farmers to go from good to great as employers and we're supporting them with tips, tools and resources to make it easier."
For a copy of the Sustainable Dairying: Workplace Action Plan including the guides for dairy farms and dairy employees go to: www.dairynz.co.nz/wap
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
OPINION: Newsroom is running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with agriculture.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its upcoming Milksolids Levy vote.
Open Country Dairy has finalised a deal to acquire 100% of Miraka.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.
