RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
Budget 2020 makes major investments in the primary sector that will support more than 10,000 people into jobs, claims Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
He says there are significant employment opportunities in the primary industries and Government will be training people to have the skills they need for the jobs in the sector.
“To that end, we’re investing $19.3* million in a range of initiatives that will partner and support more than 10,000 New Zealanders in primary sector jobs by rapidly retraining and absorbing workers displaced from other sectors like hospitality, tourism and aviation,” O’Connor says.
Meanwhile, he says $128* million committed to control wilding pines and wallabies would protect farmers from costly pests and provide jobs for people most affected by COVID-19.
“The wilding pine funding will be a game changer in our fight against a pest that is a $4.6 billion threat to our economy, while providing up to 600 jobs,” O’Connor claims.
“Around $28* million for Wallaby control will focus our efforts against this destructive pest and provide dozens of jobs.
O’Connor adds that the Budget also includes a $433 million package to fund 4,000 jobs over five years in regional environmental projects.
“The initiatives in this package will support the Government’s objectives in its Action for Healthy Waterways.”
* These figures are over a four-year period
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.