News & Events
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
Rural contractors change guard as challenges mount
A new President, vice-President and CEO have taken the helm at Rural Contractors NZ after an annual conference concluding last night which highlighted compounding challenges in meeting capacity constraints which are likely to impact on some farmers and crop...
Tax Remuera Rovers, not rural contractor utes
The Government is being urged to introduce a variable regime on higher emitting vehicles so rural contractors - who have no current choice but to run them - are not penalised. Rural Contractors NZ Chief Executive Andrew Olsen says the fact his members now face $3000...
RCNZ membership brings death cover benefits
All members of Rural Contractors NZ are now covered by a $1,500 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit provided through American Income Life Insurance Company. This is an automatic membership benefit of belonging to Rural Contractors NZ. Members also have the...
Andrew Olsen, new CEO Rural Contractors 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...
Government move stops way short of what’s needed
Rural contractors say allowing in 125 skilled agricultural machinery operators next season falls way short of what’s needed to prevent dangerous work pressures causing severe stress and fatigue and impacts on agricultural production. Monday’s Government...
Twice as many skilled imports required – rural contractors
Rural contractors say they will continue to train and recruit more Kiwis but to meet farming requirements next season they need to bring in double the number of skilled machinery operators seen here in 2020/21. A survey of Rural Contractor NZ members has shown while...
Getting the drift on agrichemicals
Anyone using agrichemicals as part of their job – or overseeing or monitoring such use - is being invited to attend update sessions being held across New Zealand in May. The ‘Agrichemical Afternoons’ bring together speakers from Rural Contractors NZ, Growsafe,...
Rural contractors reflect need for rain across much of NZ
An urgent need for rain is the most pressing issue seen by rural contractors. The March meeting of the Rural Contractors NZ Board heard from members about dry conditions affecting areas from Northland to central Otago. Wanaka-based representative Richard Woodhead says...
Perfect conditions and absentees see noxious weed spreading
The invasive weed velvetleaf is taking advantage of perfect growing conditions to spread in various parts of New Zealand this summer and into autumn, warns Rural Contractors NZ vice-president Helen Slattery. She says there have been new finds of velvetleaf in...
Rural contractors face climatic mixed bag and inexperienced labour
New Zealand’s rural contractors are facing a mixed bag of conditions from drought in Northland to a cracker season in Southland. They’re also reporting some labour issues with inexperienced Kiwis causing damage to machinery and pumping up insurance claims. The Rural...
Radio NZ story – Red tape obstructing access to overseas workers
Rural contractors say red tape obstructing access to overseas workers By Sally Round and Riley Kennedy of RNZ. The rural contracting industry says red tape means they can't make the most of some overseas workers who've been allowed into the country. Last year, with...
Lack of isolation facilities leaves rural contracting in crisis
A shortage of Managed Isolation Quarantine facilities is the latest delay facing rural contractors who now say they are at crisis level in attempting to bring in sufficient foreign skilled machinery operators to meet seasonal demand. Rural Contractors New Zealand CEO...
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