Westpac NZ launches community banking van in Northland
A new Westpac NZ community banking van begins making visits around Northland this week.
Strong leadership, good networks and being change-ready are the key ingredients to running resilient farming operations, says Westpac managing director of private wealth and insurance, Simon Power.
Power was speaking last week at the Westpac Farming Insights 2013 – Challenges, Opportunities and Resilience event, held at Vidals Winery in Hawke's Bay.
A 100-strong audience of sheep and beef farmers plus horticulturalists turned out to hear from the Associate Minister of Primary Affairs, Jo Goodhew, Beef + Lamb NZ chairman, Mike Petersen and Power.
"Most farming operations these days are sophisticated business enterprises that require strong vision, entrepreneurship and tenacity. They also require a major degree of resilience," says Power.
"Resilient farm operations look for ways to enhance competitive edge. This is a crucial factor in resilient business."
At the same event Power announced a new partnership Westpac has developed with Sir John Kirwan to host resilience-themed events for the rural community focusing on building personal resilience.
"The rural sector has faced many stresses over the past year, including the worst drought New Zealand has experienced in 70 years. Sir John Kirwan has done an incredible job of raising awareness about depression and the importance of building resilience and we know he has plenty of valuable insights to share with the rural community," says Power.
Westpac intends to hold two Rural Resilience events with Kirwan before the end of the year, and will look to hold more next year.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.
Westgold butter has been named New Zealand's tastiest in a blind tasting conducted by Consumer New Zealand.

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