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Steve Levet
Last month more than 150 agricultural contractors from all around the country gathered in Blenheim for the Rural Contractors New Zealand’s (RCNZ) annual conference.
The conference was a great success and we discussed a number of issues impacting on the rural contracting – including health and safety, employment, immigration and attracting people to work in the sector.
We also held our annual meeting during the conference and I was again re-elected president of RCNZ, and Southland’s David Kean vice-president.
RCNZ plays an important role as the leading advocate and strong representative of rural contractors engaged in a wide range of activities across the agricultural sector throughout the country. We have a hard working and dedicated board that is making progress for the sector on the part of all rural contractors.
One of the thorny issues we have been tackling during the past few years has been the reoccurring problem for our sector of the shortage of skilled machine operators within our industry. This leads to our ongoing issue with immigration that has been troubling the rural contracting sector for some years.
We have had a hard time trying to convince government and immigration officials that there is a skills shortage within our industry for seasonal employees. Until recently, Immigration NZ had not been willing to include seasonal machine operators on the skills shortage list – therefore making it much harder to bring these operators into the country.
However, in the past month or so, we have started having a dialogue with officials and the Government on this issue and we are looking forward to getting a resolution sooner rather than later.
Another big issue for our sector over the past year – and this will be reiterated at our conference – is health and safety. Law changes in the Health and Safety Act and the formation of WorkSafe NZ highlight the need for employers and employees to know their rights and responsibilities on health and safety issues in the workplace.
The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Doing it Smarter’ and we had an exciting agenda of relevant and pertinent issues for the rural contracting sector, plus top-line speakers.
Another benefit of our time in Blenheim is that St John in Marlborough is $22,000 better off thanks to the generosity of RCNZ members. Each year, as part of RCNZ’s annual conference, a charity auction is held and the proceeds go to St John in the local area. Sponsors provide gifts for the auction and RCNZ members then bid for these. Rural contractors have a great affinity for the work of St John around the country and RCNZ is proud to help support such a worthy and valuable charity that plays a vital role in rural New Zealand.
Meanwhile, our thoughts go out to the farmers and communities in Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitikei after recent severe flooding in these areas. The areas hardest hit by the storm, resulting in significant damage, were Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitikei and Westland. Some areas and locations were affected more than others, so the speed of recovery will differ for each area.
Remember, rural contractors are experienced and geared–up to enable rural communities and farmers to get back on track.
There is little doubt the low dairy payout for this season and muted forecast for next season is impacting on the entire rural economy and rural contractors are not immune from this.
Contractors should ensure they are regularly talking to their financial advisers and bankers so the best mechanisms are in place to help manage through these tougher times.
• Wellsford-based agricultural contractor Steve Levet is the president of the Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ).
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