NZ Catchment Groups Thrive with ‘Source to Sea’ Approach
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.
Entries are open for the 2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards.
The awards, run by Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT), celebrate primary sector employers who demonstrate exceptional employment practices.
MPI director of investment, skills and performance, Cheyne Gillooly says the awards provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding employers who put their staff at the heart of their operations.
“We’re on the lookout for employers who go above and beyond by creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for their people.
“2020 was a difficult year for many employers and employees, and this is an opportunity to celebrate the extensive work executed by so many people to keep businesses going.”
The awards are open to all food and fibres sector employers and the businesses that serve them. Entries open today and close at 5pm on 5 February 2021.
Gillooly says good employers are key to attracting, developing, and retaining the skills New Zealand’s food and fibres sector needs now, and in the future.
“Our Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential Roadmap sets goals of employing 10% more Kiwis from all walks of life in the primary sector by 2030, and 10,000 more New Zealanders in the primary sector workforce over the next four years.”
He says the roadmap also sets a goal of lifting the value of the New Zealand food and fibre exports by an additional $44 billion over the coming decade.
“Our food and fibre products continue to be sought by consumers around the world, and we need to ensure New Zealand has the right workforce to meet this demand.
“Employers play a critical role in showing that the food and fibres sector is a great place to work, and where people can build long-term, rewarding careers.
“The awards are a great way to showcase employers who are creating workplaces that put people first. Having the right environment to nurture and develop workers is critical to the future of our food and fibres sector.”
DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown has seen a lot of change since she first started out in the dairy sector, with around one-third of dairy farmers now women.
Castle Ridge Station has been named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
The South Island Dairy Event has announced Jessica Findlay as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship Programme, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.
New Zealand and Chile have signed a new arrangement designed to boost agricultural cooperation and drive sector success.
New DairyNZ research will help farmers mitigate the impacts of heat stress on herds in high-risk regions of the country.
Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.