Editorial: Support, don't stifle farmers
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Exceptional employment practices in the primary industries were celebrated at last night’s Good Employer Awards held at Parliament.
The awards, sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Agricultural Marketing Research and Development Trust (ADMARDT) featured finalists from a range of enterprises, including Māori agribusiness, forestry and veterinary services.
Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor said the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate and thank primary sector employers who had gone above and beyond to create productive, safe, supportive and healthy work environments.
“The past 12 or so months have been tough. I have been particularly impressed with how many of finalists have said they used Covid-19 to look at how they were working and make changes that benefited them and their employees,” O’Connor said.
“It’s clear that everyone who has entered the Good Employer Awards is leading the way in best practice. When we do this collectively, we show out urban cousins that rural communities are vibrant and inclusive places to work, live, and grow in.” he said.
Winners
Māori Agribusiness - Chubby Rewi, Rewi Haulage Limited and East Coast Log Haulage Limited
Employee Development - Adam Hittman, Vetora Waikato
Safe & Healthy - Zac Robinson and Barry Wells, Port Blakely
Supreme - Anna Pule, Rayonier Matariki Forests
Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk is on track to record average ewe production of 500 litres by 2030, says outgoing chief executive Greg Hamill.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
Changes to New Zealand’s postal service has left rural communities disappointed.
Alliance is urging its farmer-shareholders to have their say on the proposed $250 million strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.
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