Rural bias?
OPINION: After years of ever-worsening results from our education system, the startling results from a maths acceleration programme stood out like a dog’s proverbials – the trial producing gains of one full year in just 12-weeks.
BASF NZ is set to launch its 2024 Safety Champs Programme, said to provide a fun and interactive way to make farms safer for children.
This year’s theme of sun safety will promote awareness of sun protection for children growing up on farms.
Skin cancer, including melanoma, is the most common form cancer in New Zealand and accounts for an estimated 80% of all new cancers identified each year.
Increasing awareness of skin cancer is crucial for children growing up on farms, where they are often exposed to the sun for extended periods. Educating kids about sun safety not only protects their health but also instils habits that can prevent skin cancer. This ensures that our future generation of farmers work safely and healthily.
The Safety Champs packs have been designed to support parents and caregivers in facilitating conversations with kids about the importance of sun protection. The fun and educational safety pack comes in a re-usable drawstring bag and includes an explorer bucket hat, printable safety-themed activities, a farm safety pledge for families to complete together and an official BASF Safety Champs certificate.
Parvana Wali, head of agricultural solutions for BASF in Australia and New Zealand said, to build awareness of farm safety at an early age, BASF developed and supports the Safety Champs programme for farming communities.
“This year, we are focusing on sun protection. By educating children about the risks of sun exposure and the importance of sun safety, we aim to prevent the sun related hazards to ensure these kids grow up in a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable farm environment.”
BASF first launched the Safety Champs Programme in New Zealand in 2022 and subsequently expanded into Australia. To find out more about the Safety Champs programme in New Zealand or to order a Safety Champs pack for your children, visit www.cropsolutions.basf.co.nz/safetychampsnz.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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