RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
Taupo-based dairy processor Miraka says it used Government funding to pay workers forced to stay home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
According to Ministry of Social Development’s website, Miraka was paid nearly $900,000 for 128 staff under the wage subsidy scheme announced for COVID-19 affected companies.
Miraka chief executive Richard Wyeth told Rural News that while the factory processed milk during the lockdown, its UHT lines were forced to close due to sluggish demand from China.
“While we kept the factory running, some aspects of our production were shut and staff remained home,” he says. “So, we applied to the scheme and used the money to pay those staff.”
Two other dairy companies – both Chinese-owned – also claimed the wage subsidy. Yashili NZ, which operates an infant formula plant at Pokeno, claimed $970,000 for 138 staff. Auckland-based GMP Dairy, majority-owned by China’s Evergrande Group, claimed $570,000 for 74 staff.
New Zealand’s largest dairy companies – Fonterra and Open Country Dairy- did not apply for the wage subsidy.
Meanwhile, in the meat sector Silver Fern Farms claimed $43m, Alliance $34m and Anzco $2.6m. However, neither Affco nor Progressive Meats have claimed any wage subsidy.
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
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