Meka Whaitiri
New Zealand Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri has launched the new Good Employer Awards in recognition of outstanding primary industry employers and those that provide services to the primary industries. Source: Timberbiz
The new awards are sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research Development Trust.
“New Zealand needs to attract, develop and keep people in our primary industries,” Ms Whaitiri said.
“An important part of this is providing great work environments where employees feel supported, safe and have the opportunity to develop and grow.
“In our forestry workforce, we need both employees and employers to develop new skills that focus on sustainability, resilience and accountability.”
The awards recognise good employers in the following categories:
- innovative employment practices
- employee development
- safe and healthy work environments
- Māori agribusiness
- Minister’s Award.
“The primary industries employ about one in seven New Zealanders and as many as one in three in some regions. That’s a lot of people and it’s time we start celebrating those employers who are doing an outstanding job.
“I’m also very pleased to include my own Award for a regional employer that has shown a commitment to improving employment practices in their region,” Ms Whaitiri said.
Individuals or businesses must be nominated by an industry body or a peer. Nomination entries close on 10 August 2018. The winners will be announced in November 2018.
For further information or to make a nomination visit www.mpi.govt.nz/goodemployerawards
