Editorial: NZ's great China move
OPINION: The New Zealand red meat sector, with support from the Government, has upped the ante to retain and expand its niche in the valuable Chinese market - and the signs are looking positive.
The Meat Industry Association welcomes the establishment of six industry-led Workforce Development Councils.
The meat processing industry, one of the biggest trainers in New Zealand and the country’s largest manufacturing sector, is to become part of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council.
“Ensuring that the vocational education reforms deliver is critical for meat processors,” says Tim Ritchie, chief executive of the MIA.
“This is an opportunity for our industry to work with other food and beverage manufacturers to build a skills pipeline that works for industry.
“There are significant synergies by having industries with similar training environments and needs being more closely aligned. For our industry that means aligning with other food manufacturers who operate in a factory environment.
“But equally, we are pleased that there will be a strong Primary WDC focused on delivering the best possible training system for farmers and growers. We especially welcome the Education Minister’s recognition that vocational training has to be led by the industries.”
Last year, meat processors trained more than 5,300 people in NZQA-recognised qualifications with an 83% completion rate.
The meat processing sector is looking forward to a WDC which will support the development and implementation of workforce strategies and create a better skills pipeline, said Mr Ritchie.
“We also want a WDC that can create the qualifications responsive to the needs of industry. We want a strong voice for meat processors and to work with aligned food and beverage manufacturers in the new WDC,” says Ritchie.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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