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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
Maintaining equipment a key to better health and safety
Southland Times A recent court case in Southland provides a stark reminder of how important it is for rural contractors and farmers to ensure machinery is properly maintained and serviced as part of our commitment to improving health and safety on farms. A lack of...
RCNZ conference benefits St John and Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter
Lifting cushions for Nelson ambulances and immersion suits for rescue helicopter staff are among the benefits to emerge from donations made by rural contractors from around the country. At their annual conference in Nelson in June, Rural Contractors NZ held a...
Handling chemicals – Southern Rural Life column October 2019
David Kean, President, RCNZ It might seem a bit odd for the head of an organisation that makes much of its living spraying chemicals to say this but I have long stated: all chemicals are dangerous if not handled appropriately. In that vein, our Rural Contractors NZ...
RCNZ report to Federated Farmers National Council 2019
A recent report commissioned by RCNZ from the Infometrics economic consultancy found that rural contracting is now a $1.5b industry, accounting for nearly 1 percent of New Zealand’s employment. Our sector has enjoyed sustained growth – 5.8% per annum since 2010 - with...
Rural contracting a $1.5b industry – Infometrics report 2019
RCNZ commissioned economics consultancy Infometrics to assess the rural contracting industry. We were pleased to see it acknowledge this is now a $1.5b sector, employing more than 22,000 people and enjoying robust economic growth. Here's a snapshot view: Click here...
A win/win with Ireland
By David Kean, RCNZ President As rural contractors we are often reliant on imported skilled operators for the machinery we run, so it was great to hear recently that RCNZ has gained approval to bring in 149 operators for the 2019/0 season. Our CEO Roger Parton spends...
No luck for Irish contractors
Ireland – often the source of skilled farm machinery operators for rural contractors in New Zealand – is facing even worse shortages. FCI Ireland which represents farm and forestry contractors, has recently written to the Irish Government saying some of its members...
Part of the family approach brings benefits
Richard Woodhead is a Wanaka-based board member of Rural Contractors NZ. Recently three of our overseas machinery operators, two Irish, one English lad, headed home. They are all talking of returning to spend another season with us. We normally do have repeats and...
A time to reap and to sow sound practices
With the wine vintage now underway around New Zealand, the organisation representing rural contractors has called on the wine industry to ensure its following sound health and safety practices. Rural Contractors NZ president David Kean says like much other...
Government immigration proposals sound at first glance
The nation's rural contracting organisation has welcomed the Government's proposals to make it easier for regions to get workers. Rural Contractors New Zealand president David Kean says last month's announcement looks like a step if not a leap in the right direction....
The world is your contracting oyster
When someone learns the skills to drive a big, expensive piece of farm machinery, a whole world of opportunity opens up. As but one example, my son is off to Western Australia again shortly, as our workload here in central Southland eases off with the arrival of...
Fatigue is a killer
David Kean Rural Contractors NZ president You may have seen this recent headline story: Tractor driver had worked almost 200 hours in the fortnight leading up to his death and followed a WorkSafe prosecution. A court heard that In October 2016, a worker for a Waikato...
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