Help available for flood-hit farmers
The chair of the Otago Rural Support Trust, Tom Pinckney, says he believes that they will be especially busy in the coming months as the enormity of the floods hit home.
The awards, which are run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) celebrate exceptional primary sector employers.
“The Awards provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding employers across the primary sector that may otherwise fly under the radar,” says MPI director of investment, skills and performance Cheyne Gillooly.
“The sector has been resilient throughout the pandemic and the hard mahi of farmers, growers and processors is leading our export-led recovery from Covid-19.
“Revenue from food and fibres exports is predicted to hit a record $50.8 billion in the year to 30 June 2022.”
The primary sector employs approximately 367,000 people, representing close to 14% of the total workforce.
“Since the Primary Industries Good Employer Awards were launched in 2018, nine employers – ranging from transport companies, to environmental guardians and agritech innovators – have received accolades,” says Gillooly.
“We're on the lookout for employers, both large and small, who go above and beyond by creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for their people.”
Rewi Haulage, a Māori-owned log transport company based in Rangitukia north of Gisborne, took out the Māori Agribusiness Award in 2021.
“We treat our employees and drivers as whānau and we’re supporting a lot of locals to be owner-operators and have businesses of their own,” said Rewi Haulage director Chubb Rewi.
“In an increasingly competitive labour market, great employers are more important than ever to help attract and keep staff in the sector, and I’d encourage people to enter.”
All food and fibre sector employers and the businesses that service them are eligible to enter the Awards.
Entries are now open and close at 5pm on 25 March 2022. Winners will be announced in June.
