Westpac NZ launches community banking van in Northland
A new Westpac NZ community banking van begins making visits around Northland this week.
Strong leadership, good networks and being change-ready are the key ingredients to running resilient farming operations, says Westpac managing director of private wealth and insurance, Simon Power.
Power was speaking last week at the Westpac Farming Insights 2013 – Challenges, Opportunities and Resilience event, held at Vidals Winery in Hawke's Bay.
A 100-strong audience of sheep and beef farmers plus horticulturalists turned out to hear from the Associate Minister of Primary Affairs, Jo Goodhew, Beef + Lamb NZ chairman, Mike Petersen and Power.
"Most farming operations these days are sophisticated business enterprises that require strong vision, entrepreneurship and tenacity. They also require a major degree of resilience," says Power.
"Resilient farm operations look for ways to enhance competitive edge. This is a crucial factor in resilient business."
At the same event Power announced a new partnership Westpac has developed with Sir John Kirwan to host resilience-themed events for the rural community focusing on building personal resilience.
"The rural sector has faced many stresses over the past year, including the worst drought New Zealand has experienced in 70 years. Sir John Kirwan has done an incredible job of raising awareness about depression and the importance of building resilience and we know he has plenty of valuable insights to share with the rural community," says Power.
Westpac intends to hold two Rural Resilience events with Kirwan before the end of the year, and will look to hold more next year.
What’s been a "rubbish" summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts this weekend (May 2/3).
New research suggests sheep and beef farmers could improve both profitability and emissions efficiency by increasing lamb weaning weights, with only marginal changes in total greenhouse gas emissions.
Southland farmers are being encouraged to get ahead of the winter grazing season by attending a practical field day in Pukerau next week.
New Zealand communities are being encouraged to participate in Road Safety Week, running from 4 - 10 May, with a nationwide push to raise awareness and reduce road harm.
Penske Australia & New Zealand has appointed Stephen Kelly as the general manager of its Penske NZ operations, effective immediately In this role he will oversee all NZ branch operations, including energy solutions, mining, commercial vehicles, defence, marine, and rail, while continuing to be based at Penske’s Christchurch branch.
According to the latest Federated Farmers-Rabobank Farm Remuneration Report, released today, farm worker pay growth has levelled off after a post-Covid period of rapid growth.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.