Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson's dedication to "rethinking how the primary sector works together to reduce harm on farm" has been recognised with a finalist place in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards for 2026.
Safer Farms chair Murray Donald says the Safer Farms team was delighted to see Nelson named as a finaist in the Leadership category.
"Her leadership in this field is effective because, as a farmer herself, she is passionate about creating safer and stronger rural communities."
Wairarapa farmer Nelson chaired Safer Farms from 2020 to January 2026 and was instrumental in the formation of the first-ever sector-wide plan Farm without Harm - designed with farmers and industry.
She also helped develop a partnership with ACC.
The awards are organised by Safeguard with the support of WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC.
The 2026 winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland on 23 June.
B+LNZ's Wormwise veterinarian Mary Bowron has won the Best Sheep and Beef Vet of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.
Researchers at Massey University are using a special piece of scientific equipment to improve the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soils.
More signs of a booming kiwifruit sector.
OPINION: David Seymour and James Meager's plan to make it easier for farmers and orchardists to operate drones can best be described a 'courageous' move.
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Opuha Dam's ability to protect South Canterbury communities from major flooding has taken a significant step forward, with Opuha Water Limited (OWL) successfully commissioning a new outlet valve capable of releasing record volumes of water from the dam ahead of a weather event.