Farmer vote
OPINION: The coalition Government, already under the pump thanks to poor polling numbers, is facing the ire of its traditional support base – dairy and red meat farmers.
Act’s immigration spokesperson claims Labour is failing the country with its immigration policy.
“Even with the borders open and the rest of the world moving on, New Zealand businesses are suffering from Labour’s immigration incompetence,” says Jamie McDowall.
McDowall points to recent media reports claiming fruit harvesting is down 15%.
“Somehow the labour shortage is so severe it is even harder to find workers than it was when our borders were closed and our country was locked down. Now people are choosing to leave the country but we won’t let workers in from the other direction,” he says.
“Other countries can see there’s a war for talent and they’re taking steps to raid New Zealand’s. For example, the UK recently extended the working holiday visa for Kiwis to 35 years of age. In stark contrast, Immigration NZ is acting like a security guard at the border.”
He says the border settings are a major contributor to the current cost of living crisis in New Zealand.
“Our productivity levels are tanking as orchards can’t get fruit pickers. Building sites can’t get builders. Hospitals can’t get nurses. Farms can’t get milkers. There are shortages of essential workers that are creating a wage-price spiral,” McDowall says.
He says the Government’s decision to pause immigration during the last two years of the pandemic has had a devastating impact on many industries and New Zealand’s productivity.
“Now we should be opening our borders and welcoming the world back, but they’re only allowing a trickle of immigration.
“Immigration policy should be simple to navigate and welcoming so that the New Zealand economy can grow and more locals can be employed through job creation and investment. The Government has had more than two years of effectively zero immigration, yet the problems and backlogs persist.”
McDowall says Immigration Minister Michael Wood needs to change the immigration settings and allow New Zealand to start welcoming skilled migrants into the country.
“This is a crisis. We’re losing the war on talent and the ramifications will be felt for years to come in lost productivity and businesses being unable to survive.”
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
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