Banks need to continue accepting cheques - RWNZ
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says a survey among members has found strong opposition to the decision by banks to stop accepting cheques in 2021.
The NZ Landcare Trust will have a strong role to play with the increasing national focus on farm environmental issues, says the trust’s new chair, Fiona Gower.
Gower, who is also Rural Women New Zealand’s (RWNZ) national president and its environmental spokesperson, says chairing Landcare will be an exciting challenge.
“It ties in with a lot of what I do which is on environment and community; they are my passions,” she told Rural News.
“Environmental awareness and sustainability are key words at present. There is a great place for the Landcare Trust to get NZers together to work collaboratively; many of their activities are farming projects. We can show that farmers are environmentalists, that we care about where we live and what we do, and we can show the projects we can help with.
“The trust can work as a conduit to all those people getting together collaboratively and give them support and knowledge and get them what they need; and support them through the process of getting more healthy rivers or catchments.
“If we build a healthy catchment in small patches it is going to make it better in the big picture with the large catchments.
“Because there is such a big focus on the environment there is a role for us to play in connecting the dots between central and local government and community groups.
“Our team out working in the field are amazing; they do a great job.”
Gower became involved in Landcare Trust three years ago when she became the environment spokesperson for RWNZ.
RWNZ national chair Penny Mudford says Gower is well suited for the role of chair of NZ Landcare Trust.
“She has been RWNZ’s representative on the trust since 2016, has a deep understanding of farming and is passionate about sustainable land use and improving water quality,” says Mudford.
“RWNZ works to build and support rural leaders and provide opportunities for leadership development and growth. Fiona’s experience as RWNZ national president, board member and a former coordinator of the rural environment portfolio provides a great foundation for her new role at NZ Landcare Trust.”
Gower was elected unanimously as trust chair late last year, after long-time chair Richard Thompson retired after being with the trust since its inception in 1996.
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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