Arrivederci Nikki!
In a matter of days, kiwifruit growers organisation (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson will leave her role at NZKGI.
The kiwifruit industry has been struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson.
The industry has welcomed the government announcement of 1000 more seasonal workers for the coming season.
This makes a total of 10,500 people now secured under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to work in the horticulture industry during its busiest harvest period.
The kiwifruit industry is committed to employing NZers as its primary workforce and RSE workers complement this when labour is short, says Johnson. The extra workers are essential to support the kiwifruit industry’s strong growth.
“The industry is aiming to more than double sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and we can only do this with enough skilled people.”
The kiwifruit industry employs about 18,000 people each season; it generated nearly $2 billion in sales last season.
“This is great news for the industry, struggling to find enough workers to keep pace with growing volumes, and for the people from the Pacific who can support their communities by working in NZ.
She says NZKGI is going from strength to strength in its advocacy.
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.
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