Red meat industry hails new migrant visa rules as win for jobs and exports
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
Allowing only 125 skilled agricultural machinery operators into New Zealand next season falls way short of what's needed, says rural contractors.
Last week, the Government announced that of 5,000 exemptions to border controls, 125 mobile agricultural machinery operators would be allowed.
Rural Contractors NZ chief executive Roger Parton says while the 125 exemptions will help, a recent survey of his members showed a need for 400 experienced operators as an absolute minimum.
Parton released extracts from the survey which shows shortages of skilled machinery operators forced many rural contractors to work very long hours and face a lot of stress.
He says some contractors say they are considering leaving the industry because the 2020/21 season was so stressful due to the lack of skilled workers, compounded by having to manage inexperienced staff.
"What the Government must acknowledge is there are limits to how many people we can recruit and train to competently drive a $500,000-plus machine - and then be happy doing so, living and working remotely for only a few months a year."
Parton says many farmers are largely dependent on contractors to provide them with the feed they need to get stock through winter and adverse weather events like the drought in many regions this year or to help ensure crops can be produced and harvested.
Rural Contractors NZ is seeking an urgent meeting with MPI to discuss the latest decision and see what, if any, discretion may be able to be applied, given the risks posed by the announced border exemption for only 125 skilled machinery operators.
Alliance has announced a series of capital raise roadshow event, starting on 29 September in Tuatapere, Southland.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
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