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OPINION: Farmers have been clear: it is getting harder, not easier, to find and keep good people.
There's been great interest this year from primary sector employers and organisations wanting to exhibit at the event.
A careers expo running across the country hopes to cash in on the Government's new funding of primary sector jobs.
During August and September, the expo – taking place in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch – hopes to cash in on the Government’s recent announcement of $19 million in funding to place 10,000 people into primary sector jobs.
NZ Careers Expo director Mark Gillard claims the event is perfectly timed to connect work providers and programmes with young New Zealanders entering the job market. He adds that it will provide the ideal opportunity for primary sector businesses and organisations to connect with New Zealand youth and attract them into the industry.
“The expos are for anyone wanting to connect with tomorrow’s workforce – whether to recruit for employment or training,” he told Rural News.
“It will help create a clear idea of the opportunities within the rural sector for young people to plan a career or to attract workers for short or medium-term work.”
Gillard says he’s had great interest this year from primary sector employers and organisations wanting to exhibit at the event.
“The sector needs to attract many more workers, so the expo is a real chance to profile the industry and highlight the real opportunities that exist,” he says. “Businesses need to engage with young people to ensure the workforce is coming through. The expo is an opportunity for them to break down some of the misconceptions and highlight the advantages of the primary sector.”
NZ Careers Expo dates
Auckland ASB Showground 6-8 August
Hamilton Claudelands Event Centre 23-24 August
Wellington TSB Arena 4-5 September
Christchurch Horncastle Arena 10-12 September
Potatoes New Zealand and Garden to Table have partnered together to celebrate a versatile vegetable and the people behind it.
Mainland Poultry has confirmed new ownership of its vertically integrated agribusiness with Pacific Equity Partners Gateway (PEP Gateway) now joining current shareholders Navis.
The recently published State of the Industry -Tractors and Machinery 2025 from the Australian Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA), the equivalent of New Zealand’s TAMA, gives an interesting perspective of the industry.
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
The Government is funding a feasibility study to investigate what would be required for a successful farmer-led purchase of the McCain Foods' vegetable processing site in Hastings.
A young man just five years out of his Lincoln University degree already has his foot in the door of farm ownership, as equity manager of a large new dairy conversion now taking shape in Mid- Canterbury.

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