RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
Taupo-based dairy processor Miraka says it used Government funding to pay workers forced to stay home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
According to Ministry of Social Development’s website, Miraka was paid nearly $900,000 for 128 staff under the wage subsidy scheme announced for COVID-19 affected companies.
Miraka chief executive Richard Wyeth told Rural News that while the factory processed milk during the lockdown, its UHT lines were forced to close due to sluggish demand from China.
“While we kept the factory running, some aspects of our production were shut and staff remained home,” he says. “So, we applied to the scheme and used the money to pay those staff.”
Two other dairy companies – both Chinese-owned – also claimed the wage subsidy. Yashili NZ, which operates an infant formula plant at Pokeno, claimed $970,000 for 138 staff. Auckland-based GMP Dairy, majority-owned by China’s Evergrande Group, claimed $570,000 for 74 staff.
New Zealand’s largest dairy companies – Fonterra and Open Country Dairy- did not apply for the wage subsidy.
Meanwhile, in the meat sector Silver Fern Farms claimed $43m, Alliance $34m and Anzco $2.6m. However, neither Affco nor Progressive Meats have claimed any wage subsidy.
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.
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