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Rural Contractors News

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Rural Contractors NZ is the voice for the $1.5b rural contracting industry accounting for 0.8% of GDP and 0.9% of national employment. Source: Infometrics 2018 report available here 

RCNZ media releases and comments below – or contact our Communications advisor Brendon Burns (0274 305501)

Media Comments

Border entry about-face too late for rural contractors

Today’s announcements on MIQ border changes have been acknowledged by rural contractors but they say the mid-March start to self-isolation for much needed skilled machinery operators is too late for many contractors. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says step 2 of...

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Stretched rural contractors taken past breaking point

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...

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Border closure must not scupper rural contractors

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...

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Crisis emerging in rural contracting

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...

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Rural contractors take Hanzon approach to training  

Rural contractors facing desperate shortages of skilled staff can now tap into the training of 200 new industry trainees who will use an app to record and document their work. The Rural Contractors NZ Board last week agreed to help fund the HanzonJobs programme which...

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Spray contractors do their best but costs are rising

Rural spraying contractors are doing all they can to insulate farmers from emerging price increases for chemicals but warn of emerging cost rises. Rural Contractors NZ vice-President Clinton Carroll, who runs a Wairarapa spraying business, says contractors are facing...

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