Arrivederci Nikki!
In a matter of days, kiwifruit growers organisation (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson will leave her role at NZKGI.
The kiwifruit industry has been struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson.
The industry has welcomed the government announcement of 1000 more seasonal workers for the coming season.
This makes a total of 10,500 people now secured under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to work in the horticulture industry during its busiest harvest period.
The kiwifruit industry is committed to employing NZers as its primary workforce and RSE workers complement this when labour is short, says Johnson. The extra workers are essential to support the kiwifruit industry’s strong growth.
“The industry is aiming to more than double sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and we can only do this with enough skilled people.”
The kiwifruit industry employs about 18,000 people each season; it generated nearly $2 billion in sales last season.
“This is great news for the industry, struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, and for the people from the Pacific who can support their communities by working in NZ.
She says NZKGI is going from strength to strength in its advocacy.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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