RSE Scheme Changes Coming - McClay
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
Nine candidates are standing to fill three vacancies on the HortNZ board: Simon Cook, Shane Flynn, Tom Keefe, Dermott Malley, Lochie McNally, John Murphy, Carol Palmer, Erin Simpson, and Shaun Vickers.
HortNZ board chair Bernadine Guilleux says it is getting close to the final day of voting and encourages any eligible growers who haven't cast their vote and want to take part to do so.
"This is an opportunity for growers to have a say in who will be making key decisions that shape the future of our sector," Guilleux says.
"Ensuring a broad range of skills and experience around the board table is also critical to HortNZ continuing to deliver strong effective advocacy and helping ensure a sustainable future for the sector," she adds.
“That includes experience in the areas of finance, biosecurity and risk management, science and innovation, education and Te Ao Māori.
“We’re motivated by the strong level of interest we’ve received for the three positions available on the board. Ongoing succession at the governance level is crucial to an effective, united pan-sector voice to Government.”
Voting closes at 12 noon on Thursday 10 July. For more information on each candidate, including profiles, declarations of interest and candidate videos, please visit www.hortnz.co.nz.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

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