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OPINION: Farmers have been clear: it is getting harder, not easier, to find and keep good people.
OPINION: The Government approved 74 DJs to enter NZ as critical workers during lockdowns, an Official Information Act request reveals. Of these 64 arrived, talking up precious MIQ spots.
The OIA shows that, since June 2021, a total of 1,637 NZ residents applied for an emergency spot in MIQ and were declined. We've all heard the stories of NZ citizens being stopped from returning home to see dying relatives, and similar stories of bureaucratic cruelty.
And we also know that the primary industries - deemed 'Essential' for good reason, and desperate for drivers, pickers, milkers and vets - were knocked back time and time again when pleading for larger MIQ allocations so they could keep providing much-needed earnings for the country.
So, Kiwi citizens and essential workers, 'No', DJs, 'Yes'. Needless to say, the priorities were all wrong.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
The stockfood storage capacity of J Swap Stockfoods continues to grow in the South Island with the opening of a new store that boosts its capacity in Christchurch and work starting on another store in Southland.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.