In praise of top employers

Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri, who recently launched the new Good Employer Awards, says New Zealand needs to attract, develop and keep people in our primary industries.

“An important part of this is providing great work environments where employees feel supported, safe and have the opportunity to develop and grow.

“In our forestry workforce, we need employees and employers to develop new skills that focus on sustainability, resilience and accountability,” Whaitiri says.

The new awards are sponsored by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research Development Trust, recognising good employers in the following categories:

- innovative employment practices

- employee development

- safe and healthy work environments

- Māori agribusiness

- minister’s award.

“The primary industries employs about one in seven New Zealanders and as many as one in three in some regions. 

That’s a lot of people and it’s time we started celebrating those employers who are doing an outstanding job,” says Whaitiri.

“I’m also very pleased to include my own award for a regional employer that has shown a commitment to improving employment practices in their region.”

Nomination entries close on August 10, 2018; winners will be announced in November.

Scope for many entries

The inaugural MPI/AgMARDT Primary Industries Good Employer Awards is looking for primary sector employers or businesses who are:

- providing great working conditions

- giving their staff opportunities for upskilling and promotion

- demonstrating exceptionally good employment practice.

Nominees may be individuals, businesses, or organisations that are actively involved in the primary industries or provide support services to the primary industries.

Examples of support services are:

- fertiliser and pesticide manufacturers

- equipment manufacturers and repairers

- transport services

- professional services like rural consultants.