I have been working behind the scenes and in the media around staff shortages and reuniting families of our migrant staff in my sector. I do this because I see it as part of my responsibility I choose to take on as sharemilker Chair for Southland Federated Farmers, trying to get the government to see […]
immigration
Economic Week - July 16
Stimulus reduced. The Reserve Bank caused ripples this week with its decision to wind back on its extraordinary monetary stimulus. Although it kept its Official Cash Rate on hold at 0.25%, the Reserve Bank announced it would be ceasing its programme of large scale asset purchases from 23 July 2021, almost a year ahead of […]
Retention and fun two ingredients as we battle staff shortages
By Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers national board member I’ve been talking to a lot of Feds members lately about why we need migrants on our farms. It’s no different to the conversations I’ve had with builders, tilers, machinery operators … and the list could go on longer than the length of this article. With continued […]
#Bringthemhome
It’s time for a good old-fashioned letter writing campaign. I am not a psychologist or a therapist, but my skills at helping others when they are at near breaking-point have been getting a good work out lately. I take a call every day from someone who is desperately trying to figure out how they can […]
Andrew Olsen new CEO for Rural Contactors NZ
Andrew Olsen has been appointed as the new CEO of Rural Contractors NZ which represents 600 contractors in the $1.5b industry. RCNZ vice president Helen Slattery says the former Chief Executive of the Travel Agents Association NZ stood out to the selection panel in a very strong field of candidates. “Our industry is facing some […]
Federated Farmers hails pragmatic migrant worker visa decisions
Farmers and growers up and down the land will be pleased with the pragmatic decision by government to extend visas for migrant workers already on our shores. “The six-month extension for employer-assisted work visa holders and the postponed stand down period for low-paid Essential Skills via holders will come as a relief for the primary […]
Animal welfare clock ticking on shearer border decision
Federated Farmers and the Shearing Contractors Association are looking for an urgent decision from the government to allow experienced sheep shearers into the country. “We’ve been reminding the government since late winter we are going to have increasing urgency around the need for shearers this summer,” Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says. As the […]