RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
While most of New Zealand’s economy has taken a hit in the wake of Covid-19, the country’s primary sector has had a resurgence of confidence.
According to a new survey from the Bank of New Zealand – Shift Happens Agribusiness Survey – there has been a significant mindset change among NZ primary producers, with the vast majority excited about the sector’s prospects post Covid.
BNZ general manager agribusiness, Dave Handley, told Rural News the survey found that primary producers are encouraged by how important farming’s role will be in the country’s rebuild.
“A heightened awareness of essential services and food provision has increased understanding of what the primary sector means to New Zealand.”
Handley says the survey, conducted before and during the Covid-19 lockdown, found a huge shift in mindset of New Zealand’s primary producers.
“Their pre-Covid outlook improved from 58% to 89% positive about the sector’s pivotal role in supporting the New Zealand economy.”
The survey also found that less than 30% of primary producers had accessed government support during or after lockdown
“Farmers are excited about shouldering a large part of the responsibility to rebuild the economy and their prospects for the future,” Handley says.
He believes during lockdown many New Zealanders experienced limited options on the supermarket shelves and forced people to reconsider our food system and reconnect with the pasture-to-plate supply chain.
“More Kiwis now understand the important role of the primary sector and how it will steer the economy out of recession.”
Meanwhile, Handley believes New Zealand’s Covid-free status – coupled with its existing reputation for safe, sustainable, high quality food – will offer further opportunities for the primary sector.
“Consumers globally are hunting for health and seeking out items from countries that care for people, their environment and the products they produce,” he adds.
“Globally, New Zealand’s reputation is strong. We’ve beaten the virus, our economy has started up more quickly than others and our reputation for safe, high quality nutrition remains undented.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.