Tag Archives: New Zealand

MPI backs awards for Māori farming excellence

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New Zealand’s top Māori sheep and beef farmers are being sought in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award.

The competition was launched by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, at the Federation of Māori Authorities (FoMA) conference in Taupo last weekend.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced it has increased its sponsorship involvement from bronze to gold in a deal including $46,000 cash, which Ben Dalton, deputy director general Māori primary sector partnerships, says builds on a long-standing involvement with the competition.

“MPI is committed to working with Māori to enable the sustainable growth of their primary sector assets and this competition fits well with our objectives,” he explains.

“Māori agribusiness has a significant part to play in lifting the primary sector contribution to New Zealand’s economy. By increasing Māori primary sector productivity, we increase the wealth of New Zealand as a whole.”

MPI joins other gold sponsors Te Puni Kōkiri, the Māori Trustee and Beef + Lamb NZ Ltd, together with platinum supporter BNZ and a number of other sponsors.

In a study of Māori freehold land resources – Māori Agribusiness in NZ: A study of the Maori Freehold Land Resource – MPI identified 600,000 hectares of under-performing and 600,000 hectares of under-utilised entities. There were 300,000 hectares (20 percent) of āori freehold land that were well-performing entities.

“So there is a huge opportunity to grow Māori agribusiness entities that are underperforming and supporting the Ahuwhenua Trophy shows what can be done. Even if they are at the top of the game, competitors benefit from high-level peer reviews of their farms and this opens up opportunities to further improve their performance.”

Partnering with Māori to optimise the sustainable use of their primary sector assets will contribute to the Māori economic base. “This base can then be used to self-fund Māori aspirations, whether these are social, cultural or economic,” says Dalton.

“Of the $36.9 billion Māori asset base, a significant $10.6 billion is invested in agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. So harnessing the growth potential of those assets is important.”

The 2013 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is open to Māori farming properties, either owned individually, or managed by Māori Trusts and Incorporations in New Zealand. The trophy winner will be announced in 7 June 2013. Each year, it alternates between sheep and beef farmers and dairy farmers. The 2013 competition is for Māori sheep and beef farmers.

Further information and entry forms for the 2013 Ahuwhenua Trophy can be found here.

High level of interest in Maori agribusiness funding round

There has also been a high level of interest from groups seeking to promote sustainable resource use in Māori agribusiness, says MPI.

A special Māori agribusiness round in MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF), which provides co-funding for small to medium-scale applied research and extension projects, offered about $1 million of co-investment funding in August. It received 47 applications, of which 14 have been approved, subject to contracts being negotiated. MPI aims to have funding contractually committed before the end of December 2012 (with most to be spent in the first year but possibly spread over three years).

“MPI is committed to working with all of our stakeholders, including Māori agribusiness, to ensure that funds like the SFF deliver tangible results to the primary sector”, says MPI’s deputy director-general for resource management and programmes Scott Gallacher.

Meanwhile, the main 2013 annual SFF round opened in late August with up to $8 million of co-investment funding on offer for projects that will encourage sustainable resource use in the primary sectors. Applications closed recently and applicants will be notified by the end of February 2013, with contracts in place so work can commence from July 1, 2013.

Read more about the Ahuwhenua Trophy in the newsletter or at the website.

 

Australian agriculture minister to visit

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The Australian Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Hon Joe Ludwig will visit New Zealand for bilateral and primary industries meetings over the next two days.

Hon Ludwig, who will be joined by Primary Industries Ministers from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory, will meet with Minister Carter this afternoon.

“This visit is a valuable opportunity to discuss two-way trade and issues in the primary sector that affect both Australia and New Zealand,” says Carter.

While in Auckland Hon Ludwig will also chair the Standing Council on Primary Industries meeting.

“This meeting is attended by Primary Industries Ministers from New Zealand and Australia and allows us to share approaches, ideas, and views on the challenges and opportunities facing the primary industries.

“One of the issues we will discuss is the food sector opportunities available to both countries.

“By focusing on our food industries, New Zealand and Australia have the ability to increase productivity, innovate and add value to the domestic and export sector. There are opportunities in working together.

“We enjoy a strong relationship with Australia, our largest trading partner, and meetings such as this play an important role in enhancing primary sector collaboration between our two countries,” says Carter.

Greener pastures

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New Zealand has the potential to capture $1.3 trillion more in agricultural exports between now and 2050 if targeted actions are taken, according to a new report recently released by ANZ.

An ANZ Insight report Greener Pastures: The Global Soft Commodity Opportunity for Australia and New Zealand quantifies the size of the opportunity open to New Zealand and Australian agriculture as a result of the shift in global economic growth to Asia.

Key findings from the report are that rising incomes and changing diets in developing countries mean the world will demand at least 60 percent more agricultural output by 2050, compared with 2005-2007. New Zealand could stand to gain an additional $550 million, which could increase to $1.3 trillion with favourable conditions and targeted actions, the report says. However, intense competition from emerging players with countries like Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia becoming major threats. It also determines that $340 million in additional capital is needed to drive production growth and support NZ farm turnover between now and 2050.

Capturing the opportunities offered to the potential “food bowl of Asia” will not happen of its own accord, says Graham Turley ANZ’s managing director commercial and agriculture. “Significant barriers exist that will have to be overcome at every step of the supply chain.”

Sourcing capital to find growth, attracting skilled labour, intensified focus on national agricultural R&D, improving supply chains and targeting key markets are among those barriers.

“The danger we face is that we are not alone in seeking to exploit the global soft commodity boom and countries, like Brazil with its highly successful soy industry, are leading the charge.”

“If we are serious about wanting to develop vibrant, globally dominant and highly profitable industries, we need all stakeholders in the industry to work together to bring about change.

“There are environmental issues and foreign and domestic investment comfort levels that New Zealanders also need to consider in making these choices. These are the choices facing policy makers as they strive to make New Zealand more economically successful,” says Turley.

 

 

Primary growth coupled with energy efficiencies

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Growth in the primary sector has been coupled with energy efficiencies, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Data from SNZ’s latest Energy Use Survey shows that overall energy use by the primary sector was almost 35,000 terajoules (TJ) in 2011 and one-third of businesses had energy saving technologies. Total energy use in this sector stayed steady in the last three years, while the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product rose nine percent.

The total energy used in the sector equates to enough diesel to make two million trips from Cape Reinga to Bluff in a medium-sized diesel car. “While this sounds like a lot, the primary sector actually uses a relatively small proportion of New Zealand’s total energy. It makes up less than 10 percent of total business energy use,” energy statistics manager Hamish Hill said.

Agriculture, the biggest industry in this sector, uses almost half the total energy. Diesel and electricity remain the main energy types. “Diesel is integral to our production of timber, livestock, and crops. This contrasts with the industrial and trade sector, which is more reliant on natural gas and other energy types, such as coal.”

This is the second time that energy use data has been collected for the primary sector. The New Zealand Energy Use Survey covers each of the primary, industrial and trade, and services sectors over a three-year period.

Sir Richard Hadlee lays down challenge for Movember

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One of our most recognisable Mo’s in New Zealand has adorned the respected upper lip of Sir Richard John Hadlee, MBE since his tour to Pakistan in 1976. The former New Zealand cricketer, who’s regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders in cricketing history (and top bloke) has laid down the challenge to all Mo Bros to get involved with the campaign ahead and spread the hairy word! Watch his Mo-message below.

You can find out more about the Movember campaign and how to register here.

Ministry for Primary Industries’ Strategy 2030

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The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set itself an ambitious strategy to 2030 with the subtitle ‘Growing and protecting New Zealand,’ writes Allan Barber.

In its introduction, the Ministry asks ‘Why this strategy?’ which it answers by saying a re-balancing of the economy towards more productive sources of growth is required and New Zealand must trade itself to greater growth and prosperity.

When one considers that 71 cents in every dollar of merchandise export earnings come from the primary sector, there are no prizes for guessing where most of this is expected to come from. The Government’s strategic growth agenda contains the goal of increasing the ratio of exports to GDP from 30 percent to 40 percent of GDP by 2025, so clearly agriculture will be expected to generate the majority of this increase.

MPI, which now incorporates the functions of MAF, as well as the Ministry of Fisheries and New Zealand Food Safety Authority, has a major role and responsibility for helping to achieve these goals. Having always believed that government agencies must provide the framework and environment within which business has to perform and achieve, it’s expecting too much of MPI and its strategy, if we believe that this will be easy.

Strategy 2030 contains two points of focus: first to ‘maximise export opportunities and improve sector productivity’ and second to ‘increase sustainable resource use, and protect from biological risk.’

Key strategies to achieve these are:

  • Partnering with the primary sectors to identify and seize opportunities for improved productivity and market returns;
  • Removing unnecessary barriers to trade and increasing our use of international standards to enhance value;
  • Encouraging and co-investing in industry innovation and adoption;
  • Identifying and managing risks to New Zealand’s natural resources;
  • Partnering innovative approaches to environmental challenges; and
  • Better understanding the challenges to sustainable use of New Zealand’s natural resources.

The Ministry’s approach will concentrate on enabling and partnering by cooperating, facilitating, providing information and tools, using a whole-of-government approach across the primary sector and connecting primary sectors with one another. A key aspect of this is to engage with Maori which MPI sees as a core obligation.

Before jumping to the conclusion that this obligation is yet another example of political correctness, which is tempting, one must realise that Maoridom has $10.6 billion invested in primary sector assets including 1.5 million hectares of land of which MPI says 80 percent is underutilised. This degree of underperformance certainly needs to be improved and will produce economic returns for both Maori and the country as a whole.

MPI’s structure to deliver its strategy consists of five branches across the whole operation: Policy, Standards, Verification and systems, Compliance and response, and Resource management and programmes. These five branches encapsulate the total range of activities which the Ministry undertakes. The ones with the highest profile are food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity, but these are just the tip of the iceberg.

MPI has responsibility for literally everything and everybody leaving and entering the country. It negotiates standards with the regulatory authorities of our trading partners; it establishes the systems and maintains surveillance to ensure compliance with these standards. It also develops and implements policies across the whole gamut of New Zealand’s agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture sectors.

It is staggering to reflect that in 1987 David Lange saw agriculture as a sunset industry with New Zealand’s future lying in becoming the Switzerland of the South Pacific.

Now more than ever, the primary sector is the engine of our economic growth. MPI’s core responsibilities of setting and applying systems and standards for food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity, while ensuring effective response to pest incursions and non-compliance, are absolutely fundamental to our future place in the world.

The Ministry has an enormous responsibility for ensuring the protection and security of our whole primary sector which is a critical part of our economic growth.

Provided it doesn’t lose its focus on the clearly defined essential outcomes listed in its strategy, this is how it will make its major contribution towards ensuring New Zealand’s future prosperity.

Allan is an agribusiness commentator with particular interest in the meat industry and has his own blog Barber’s Meaty Issues. This article also appears at interest.co.nz.

Kiwis keeping an open mind on TPP

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The majority of Kiwis support the idea of a Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), new research has found.

Research commissioned by the NZUS council has found that 56.3 percent of New Zealanders surveyed support or strongly support the TPP, 13.4 percent oppose the negotiation, with 30.4 percent keeping an open mind.

“The research is an important contribution to the debate around free trade. It shows New Zealanders are preared to see where the TPP negotiation leads rather than give in to scare-mongering,” says NZUS Council executive director Stephen Jacobi.

The research found that just 60.5 percent believe New Zealand needs to do more to connect with global markets, with just 9.4 percent opposing such moves.

The next TPP negotiation round will take place in Auckland in December.

The research also found that a majority of Kiwis (64.4 percent) believe increased trade between new Zealand and the United States is a good idea. Only 12.1 percent are opposed to it.

“Freer trade will create more opportunities for exporters and more choice for consumers and ultimately more jobs for Kiwis. The TPP provides an opportunity to maximise these benefits TPP is a work in progress but it’s an important first step towards adopting a seamless economic space around the Asia-Pacific region,” says Jacobi.

The research was conducted by Buzz Research between 18-21 September 2012 with 1,018 respondents aged 18-64 in New Zealand. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.

Sir Richard Hadlee lays down Movember challenge

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One of our most recognisable Mo’s in New Zealand has adorned the respected upper lip of Sir Richard John Hadlee MBE since his tour to Pakistan in 1976. The former New Zealand cricketer, who’s regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders in cricketing history (and top bloke) has laid down the challenge to all Mo Bros to get involved with the campaign ahead and spread the hairy word! Watch his Mo-message below.

You can find our more about Movember and register here.

Remember, remember the month of Movember

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One month to go before Movember, the time when men’s faces get hairier around the world as they grow moustaches in support of a worldwide charitable men’s health initiative.

It’s happening here in New Zealand again. The organisers tell us that this year, the theme is, quite simply, what it means to be a better man: Movember & Sons.

Organisers are encouraging all men to seek and share knowledge and wisdom with loved ones, to learn their family health history and predispositions and to understand the risks they face. “These simple actions can have a significant impact on the quality and longevity of your journey through this life,” they say.

In addition to its support for prostate cancer and depression initiatives by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Awareness and Education, this year Movember has launched a new campaign, the Global Action Plan (GAP – see video below). This brings together prostate cancer researchers from around the world, facilitating a new and unprecedented level of global research collaboration, not previously seen within the prostate cancer community. Over 100 of the world’s top prostate cancer researchers have joined Movember’s GAP, all of them committed to working together on research and sharing their knowledge in the area.

Last year, Movember had its most successful year to date with over 850,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world raising a phenomenal NZ$156.1 million for prostate cancer and male mental health. The hairy movement will continue to grow in 2012 as 21 countries across five continents unite to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

So. Time to grow that mo’. You can find out more and sign up at www.movember.com. Find out more about GAP below.


 

Fresh meat for Wedderburn Sharp Blacks

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Six of New Zealand’s best butchers have been chosen to represent New Zealand in the 2013 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks team.

After a battle between the four remaining 2012 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks and six new challengers the best butchers overall were chosen.

The result was two new additions to the team, with all those from 2012 maintaining their positions. The 2013 team is: Paddy Kennedy, Allenton Meat Centre, Ashburton; Peter Martin, Mad Butcher Onehunga, Auckland; Peter Tuapawa, Victoria Park New World, Auckland; David Timbs, Peter Timbs Meats, Christchurch; Bruce van der Nett, Pak’nSave, Taupo; and Corey Winder, Ashby’s Fine Meats & Deli, Christchurch.

The Sharp Blacks compete annually and after two years of trans-Tasman rivalry, the new team will be competing in the first tri-nation competition  – New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain – in 2013.

Newcomers to the competition, Britain, will be raising the stakes making the 2013 test match the most competitive yet.

Competition organiser Kim Doran, from Retail Meat New Zealand, says with Britain entering the mix the competition has reached new heights for the industry.

“The test has become a highly anticipated event on the industry calendar and with the new addition of Britain things will only become more exciting.”

Building these international relationships can only be a good thing for the New Zealand meat industry,” says Doran.

Earlier this year, the current team lost by only a fraction to Australia which means the new team will be looking for redemption in 2013.

The 2013 tri-nation match will be held in Wanaka on 9 March.