The 2023 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards are open for entries from New Zealand’s top food and fibre sector employers.
"People have always been at the heart of our food and fibre sector businesses," said Beth Davie, the workforce manager at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
"These awards are a great way to showcase effective and innovative ways of supporting staff and spreading excellence throughout the sector.”
Davie continued that MPI was looking for employers of any size who create productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work environments for their people to enter.
"Ensuring staff wellbeing is important, especially in the aftermath of extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle."
MPI has created, organised and runs these awards, now in its fourth year.
Davie that both food and fibre sector businesses and those that support them are eligible to apply for an award.
She continued that the ministry received excellent applications from the food and fibre sector last year, including dairy, food production, forestry, seafood, and Māori agribusinesses.
"Waikato coconut yoghurt company Raglan Food Co took out the Employee Development Award and overall Supreme Award in 2022 for its commitment towards providing the right environment and support for its team to thrive."
MPI encourages food and fibre sector employers to put their names forward for an award, and employees can also nominate their employers or others.
Nominees can also range from rural accountants to veterinary practices, to large industry bodies or even small start-ups and others.
Food and fibre sector businesses are driving New Zealand’s economy, with exports tipped to reach an impressive $56.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2023.
"This ongoing success is thanks to the 360,000 people who power our food and fibre sector, including employers across Aotearoa.”
The Primary Industries Good Employer Awards celebrate and recognise good employers who show a genuine passion for ensuring the success of their people. They recognise that when their people thrive, so do their businesses."
Entries are now open and close at 5 pm on Friday, 21 July 2023. There are six categories for which employers can be entered, including Employee Development, Safe and Healthy Work, Environment, Māori Agribusiness, Inclusive and Diverse Workplace Award, Small Business, Recognition Award, and The Supreme Award, presented by the Agriculture Minister.
