Celebrating exceptional primary industry employers

THE MINISTRY OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES IS OUT TO CELEBRATE businesses that are great employers with the launch of a new award.

The Good Employer Awards are a recognition of outstanding primary industry employers and those that provide services to the primary industries, including forestry.

With a fast-approaching closing date of August 10, the new awards are sponsored by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research Development Trust.

“New Zealand needs to attract, develop and keep people in our primary industries,” says Associate Forestry Minister Meka Whaitiri.

“The primary industries employs about one in seven New Zealanders and as many as one in three in some regions. That’s a lot of people and it’s time we start celebrating those employers who are doing an outstanding job.

“An important part of this is providing great work environments where employees feel supported, safe and have the opportunity to develop and grow.

“In our forestry workforce, we need both employees and employers to develop new skills that focus on sustainability, resilience and accountability.

The awards recognise good employers in the following categories: • innovative employment practices

• employee development

• safe and healthy work environments

• Maori agribusiness

• Minister’s Award.

Individuals or businesses must be nominated by an industry body or a peer, with forms available on www.mpi.govt.nz/goodemployerawards. Winners will be announced in November.