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
Cannabis reform would increase health and safety risks say rural contractors
Rural contractors are concerned that a referendum vote in favour of legalising cannabis would lead to more risks around drug-affected people working in the industry, which is entirely focused on the use of machinery. At a recent board meeting of Rural Contractors NZ...
Photo evidence not essays, new tool in rural contractor training
A new ‘user-friendly’, fees free qualification has gained a big thumbs up from Rural Contractors New Zealand for workplace evidence such as photos being accepted as one way to recognise the skills of people working in rural contracting. The New Zealand Certification...
Skilled imports a key to farm production
Column for Southern Rural Life July 2020 By David Kean, President, Rural Contractors NZ Right now, the rural contracting industry needs around 700 skilled machinery operators for the coming season to support New Zealand farmers. That’s been shown by a survey we did...
Rural contractors survey members amid rising concerns
An urgently-arranged meeting last Thursday with Primary Industries Minister Damien O’Connor has seen Rural Contractors NZ surveying members to determine how many skilled machinery operators need to be brought in for the coming spring/summer season. RCNZ president...
Increased local contracting jobs still need imported top-up
Rural contractors attending two expos last week to promote their sector have been blown away by the turnout and begun recruiting locally to fill vacancies. However, Rural Contractors NZ says it will still need to bring in some skilled machinery operators from overseas...
Rural contractors get in behind training initiatives
Rural contractors in the deep south are lending machinery and support to three training initiatives designed to attract and interest those who’ve lost jobs so they can move into available work in the farming and contracting sector. Southern Institute of Technology SIT...
What Does COVID-19 Lockdown Mean for Rural Contractors?
RCNZ CEO spoke to broadcaster Sarah Perriam on what the COVID-19 lockdown was meaning for rural contractors. Listen to the podcast here. Or watch the video below
Rural contractors ‘essential’ work continues
Rural Contractors NZ has postponed its annual June conference and cancelled 7 Agrichemical workshops planned for May but welcomes confirmation that agricultural contracting is regarded as an essential service through the COVID-19 shutdown. RCNZ president David Kean...
Rural Contractors CEO on Sarah’s Country
Roger on Sarah's Country
5 Minutes – Farmlander March 2020
David Kean, President, Rural Contractors NZ Rural contractors are a vital aspect of the primary sector – a $1.5b industry. How does your organisation fit into the picture? Rural Contractors NZ is the national body and we have more than 500 members spread from...
Having a good yarn essential
Southland Times October 2019 It used to be that a day’s haymaking was followed by a beer or two, sometimes at the local pub. But the gradual loss of country pubs is part of increasing isolation for farmers is being seen – and now addressed – by rural contractors....
Contractors managing the catchup in Southland
Farmers Weekly 5 December 2019 After ‘atrocious’ spring weather in Southland, rural contractors in Southland are seeing some improvements and catching up on delayed work. Rural Contractors NZ president David Kean who is based near Winton says October and much of...
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