India FTA 'still a priority'
Agriculture and Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay says his government is pulling out all the stops to get a trade deal with India.
WAIKATO FARM consultant Sharlene Charleston is the first to achieve accreditation under a new people management certification scheme launched last month at the NZIPIM's annual conference.
Charleston works for Te Awamutu-based farm people management consultancy, No.8 HR.
NZIPIM chief executive Stephen Macaulay says the programme, supported by funding from DairyNZ, was introduced to provide farmers with confidence that industry standards have been met by the consultant in 10 key areas. They include performance management; coaching and mentoring; recruitment; and health and wellbeing.
"People on-farm are key to productivity and business growth and too often this is stunted by high staff turnover," says Macaulay. "Certified people management consultants can improve the way farmers manage their staff and then everybody wins – the farmer, the employee and the industry."
Charleston is a former dairy farmer who started with No.8 HR in January 2011.
Visit www.nzipim.co.nz
Horticulture New Zealand’s Board has welcomed the re-election of grower-elected directors Alistair Petrie and Doug Brown.
The bright ideas of New Zealand's primary sector have been celebrated with an announcement of the winners of the 2026 Innovation Awards.
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
New Zealand's top fencers were out in force at National Fieldays this month, demonstrating their skills with the ever-reliable number 8 wire.
New Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says he will ensure that farmer voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made.
Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.

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