News & Events

Eight finalists from Kaikohe to Invercargill have been confirmed for the Rural Contractors New Zealand Trainee Contractor of the Year award. All come from the ranks of those who joined the HanzonJobs initiative which sees trainees record their daily work experiences,...

Wairarapa-based spraying contractor Clinton Carroll refers to the new agrichemical standard NZS 8409:2021 as the contractors’ bible – and he says it needs more disciples. Clinton is Rural Contractors NZ vice-president and represents the organisation on the New Zealand...

Rural Contractors New Zealand is pleased to announce the launch of its new reward and recognition programme for trainee contractors, proudly sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The new programme recognises trainee contactors who excel in the...

Rural Contractors NZ has launched new awards which will recognise the next generation coming into the $2b industry. Andrew Olsen, RCNZ’s CEO says his Board has backed the initiative as a further way of cementing in the value that rural contractors place on training....

The first meeting of the newly-formed National Training Council for rural contracting saw a welter of contributions on how to improve training in the industry. Rural Contractors NZ CEO Andrew Olsen, who initiated the meeting, says the Council got off to a flying...

A strong initial group of rural contractors and educators has been brought together to drive the establishment of a National Training Council for the rural contracting sector. Andrew Olsen, CEO of Rural Contracting NZ will act as chair of the foundation group along...

Stressed rural contractors, told in mid-December they could bring in 200 more skilled machinery operators, have not yet seen a single arrival given any MIQ space. Rural Contractors NZ CEO Andrew Olsen says despite the best efforts of MPI staff to help find MIQ beds...

Yesterday’s closure of the border must not be allowed to scupper last week’s Government announcement that 200 skilled machinery operators can come from overseas to the rescue of rural contractors and farmers. That’s the call today from Rural Contractors NZ CEO Andrew...

Rural contractors are relieved at today’s announcement that 200 skilled machinery operators can enter the country – but say the timing is now critical. Andrew Olsen, Rural Contractors NZ CEO, says he will be working on this with officials over the next two weeks. “I...

The shortage of skilled agricultural machinery operators is reaching a crisis point say rural contractors, with many unable to meet farmer requirements and increasing fears for their health and safety. Andrew Olsen, CEO of Rural Contractors NZ says an urgent meeting...