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Moana Fisheries HR manager Katrina Thompson was a keynote speaker.
Tractor and machinery importers, manufacturers and dealers gathered recently in Wellington for the inaugural conference of the New Zealand Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
Their industry was calculated recently as being worth about $1.3 billion annually and providing 2500 jobs.
Supplying key industry data to its 38 members, TAMA also acts to understand and disseminate current and proposed legislation affecting the industry.
TAMA plans to expand its membership to the wider industry and to serve parts and service staff in the various companies. Its plans include more training, particularly in health and safety, a scholarship scheme for youngsters and an idea for a North Island working field day.
The 80-strong conference audience heard from a broad range of speakers: economist Cameron Bagrie looked at challenges to the rural sector; Alan Kirsten, of Agriview, spoke about industry statistics; and Ian Yule, of Plant Tech, spoke about the change of new technologies and their likely effects.
Katrina Thomson, group human resources manager, Moana Fisheries, addressed the challenge of how to attract and retain millennials to the industry -- while recognising that not all younger people aspire to own a house or drive a flash car. Group discussion covered the skills required in employees -- now and moving into the future.
During the conference dinner, guest speaker Patrick (Paddy) Gower, a former political journalist, had the audience laughing loudly at his stories about reporting on ego driven politicians -- many far out of their depth.
The evening concluded with the President’s Awards for Enduring Service and Emerging Talent in the Agricultural Machinery Industry. These were awarded to Graeme Tulloch, of Tulloch Farm Machines, and Kieran Steffert, of Origin Ag, respectively.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
First up to the podium at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) Conference in Wellington, Minster for Agriculture, Todd McClay, reflected on a difficult 12 months, but hinted at signs that things were turning the corner, saying “when ag does well, New Zealand does well”.
A 2022 Nuffield scholar, Lucie Douma, was brought up on a Southland dairy farm and as a hobby likes the risky business of trail running and ultra marathons.
The recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) conference in Wellington was signalling cautious optimism on the back of rising milk and store cattle prices and drops in interest rates.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
