RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
New Zealand’s largest one-day show has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
Last year, the Mackenzie Highland A&P Show saw between 12,000 to 15,000 people.
The decision to cancel the event on Easter Monday in Fairlie was made in response to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s request for all gatherings of over 500 attendees to be cancelled or postponed to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
“In light of the health risk to the Mackenzie District at this time, we see this as the most socially responsible path to take,” said president Bryan McNab.
“The committee recognises the devastating impact this decision will have for many in the community with planning and organisation for this year’s show being so close to being completed and certainly regret having had to take this action so close to our show day.
“As this is a committee that doesn’t usually give in at the first hurdle, we are now investigating the possibility of running a community event later in the year.”
This is the fifth time in the show’s 122 years that it hasn’t been held. Previous cancellations were twice due to war and twice due to a pandemic.
“With an association with the Show Committee that goes back to the late 70s, having to convey this decision is certainly the low point for me,” said McNab.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.