Displaying items by tag: RURAL CONTRACTORS NZ

A retired Northland farmer and machinery driver says rural contractors must take some blame for the current shortage of skilled operators.

OPINION: Crunch time is approaching for the country’s agricultural contractors.

Agricultural contractors are becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of skilled workers available.

Ireland, often a source of skilled farm machinery operators for rural contractors in New Zealand, is facing even worse driver shortages than NZ.

Despite wet weather in many regions, the outlook is encouraging and we are seeing plenty of good growth around the country as rural contractors start cranking up for their busy season.

Helen Slattery is the rural contracting sector's first woman to gain a national certificate in infrastructure works supervision Level 5.

Recent debate about unemployed New Zealanders and their keenness – or lack of it – to gain work was sparked after Prime Minister John Key commented how hard it is to get beneficiaries into seasonal work.

A record turnout of 153 contractors, from all around the country, descended on the Bay of Islands for this year's RCNZ annual conference.

Rural contractors have been reminded to play their part in preventing the spread of velvetleaf as management of the pest weed enters a new phase.

Agricultural contractors around the country must play their part in helping to prevent the spread of the invasive weed velvetleaf.