Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson's dedication to "rethinking how the primary sector works together to reduce harm on farm" has been recognised with a finalist place in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards for 2026.
Safer Farms chair Murray Donald says the Safer Farms team was delighted to see Nelson named as a finaist in the Leadership category.
"Her leadership in this field is effective because, as a farmer herself, she is passionate about creating safer and stronger rural communities."
Wairarapa farmer Nelson chaired Safer Farms from 2020 to January 2026 and was instrumental in the formation of the first-ever sector-wide plan Farm without Harm - designed with farmers and industry.
She also helped develop a partnership with ACC.
The awards are organised by Safeguard with the support of WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC.
The 2026 winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland on 23 June.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.

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