Record turnout at annual conference

A record turnout of 153 contractors, from all around the country, descended on the Bay of Islands – in late June – for this year’s RCNZ annual conference. RCNZ national president Steve Levet was delighted with the record conference turnout – held at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort, in Paihia, from June 27-30 – given the current economic climate. “This is the largest turnout that I can recall and it seems many rural contractors have decided to ignore some of the doom and gloom merchants and are clearly focussed on looking forward to better times.” Mr Levet says the conference had an exciting agenda of relevant and pertinent issues to the rural contracting sector – along with a number of top-line speakers. This year’s conference theme was: “Your Business from Start to Finish” and it also celebrated the 20 year anniversary of Rural Contractors NZ (RCNZ) as an organisation. “We had an agenda chock-full of presentations focussing on how to get smarter in running your business and the use of the latest technology,” he added. Presentations, over the three days, covered a myriad of topics including: fuel management; insurance; taxation; ACC; machinery valuation; employment law; succession planning; looking after your workers and yourself. At the Wednesday night dinner conference-goers were given an informative address by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy – who covered off the outlook for the primary sector biosecurity, Brexit and rural mental health. “Wednesday night also saw our annual charity auction for St Johns raise more than $21,000 for the ambulance service in the Bay of Islands,” Mr Levet added. Each year, as part of RCNZ’s annual conference a charity auction is held each year with the proceeds going to St John in the local area. Sponsors provide gifts for the auction and RCNZ members then bid for these with all the money raised donated to St John in the region where the conference is held. Mr Levet says 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. The conference finished up on the Thursday night with the annual RCNZ awards dinner and dance – sponsored by Rothbury Insurance.