Rural NZ Welcomes $8.5m Government Health Package
Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
O’Brien says she’s taking this step with mixed emotions.
“I have absolutely loved working with the board and national office team and meeting so many of our wonderful members over the past three years,” O’Brien says.
“It’s been a privilege to lead this special organisation and I’m proud of the work we have achieved during my tenure, including navigating the organisation through the challenges of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we prepare for next year’s Centenary, I am most proud of all of the work that has gone into setting up the organisation for the next 100 years. I am confident it will continue to play an important role in connecting and supporting women at the heart of our rural communities.”
After finishing up, O’Brien plans on pursuing some different opportunities, projects and interests including some travel.
Rural Women NZ board president Gill Naylor says she will miss O’Brien’s measured expertise.
“It’s been a great pleasure to work with Gabe and she is leaving the organisation in a much stronger position to tackle the future as a result of her dedication and commitment over the past three years,” Gill says.
The board will begin the process for recruiting a new chief executive shortly.
With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions on key issues facing the primary sector. We will run their responses to each question over the next four weeks. The ACT Party and the Greens didn't respond in time.
Dr Scott Champion, Foundation for Arable Research chief executive, says that everyone in the supply chain had a role to play in driving the sector's long-term success.
The Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Patterson, says there's a massive infrastructure deficit in rural areas.
New Zealand's red meat and fifth-quarter exports reached $867 million in August, up 23% on the same month last year, as stronger returns lifted earnings across all major markets.
State farmer Pāmu is bracing for a $30 million hit from soaring farm input costs this financial year.

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