Entries are open for the 2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards, says Ministry for Primary Industries’ Director of
Investment, Skills and Performance, Cheyne Gillooly.
The Awards, run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development
Trust (AGMARDT), celebrate primary sector employers who demonstrate exceptional employment practices.
“The Primary Industries Good Employer Awards provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding employers
who put their staff at the heart of their operations,” says Mr Gillooly.
“We’re on the lookout for employers who go above and beyond by creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work
environments for their people.
“2020 was a difficult year for many employers and employees, and this is an opportunity to celebrate the extensive work
executed by so many people to keep businesses going.”
The Awards are open to all food and fibres sector employers and the businesses that service them. Entries open today and
close at 5pm on 5 February 2021.
Mr Gillooly says good employers are key to attracting, developing, and retaining the skills New Zealand’s food and
fibres sector needs now, and in the future.
“Our Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential Roadmap sets goals of employing 10 per cent more Kiwis from all walks of life in the primary sector by 2030, and 10,000 more
New Zealanders in the primary sector workforce over the next four years.
“It also sets the goal of lifting the value of our food and fibre exports by an additional $44 billion over the next 10
years.
“Our food and fibre products continue to be sought by consumers around the world, and we need to ensure New Zealand has
the right workforce to meet this demand.
“Employers play a critical role in showing that the food and fibres sector is a great place to work, and where people
can build long-term, rewarding careers.
“The Awards are a great way to showcase employers who are creating workplaces that put people first. Having the right
environment to nurture and develop workers is critical to the future of our food and fibres sector.”
For more information, including a copy of the application form, visit: www.mpi.govt.nz/geaAdditional information
The objectives of the Awards are to:highlight good employers and good employment practices across all primary industriesprovide an incentive to employers in the primary industries to strive for good practicechange perceptions about employers in the primary industries.
The awards are open to all food and fibre sector employers and the businesses that provide services to the sector.
There are four award categories:Employee DevelopmentSafe and Healthy Work EnvironmentMāori AgribusinessThe Supreme Award, presented by the Minister of Agriculture.
The Supreme Award recognises regional employers that have invested in improving employment conditions in their region,
with a focus on promoting diversity within their workplaces.