One demographer reckons that skilled young New Zealanders who want to work in the regions are set for life.
That’s because populations are declining in many parts of rural New Zealand – regions that are already crying out for educated and highly-skilled workers.
And that demographer says it’s going to take a concerted effort to entice both local and overseas workers here to ensure we thrive.
There’s been a lot of talk in this space in recent years – we’ve been warned of the 50,000 extra people we’ll need in the primary industries for some time – but that hasn’t translated into boots on the ground.
It’s becoming more and more evident that we need more action to let others know what we all know – that the regions are a fantastic place to live and flourish.
Bryan Gibson
Regions face declining in worker numbers
Declining fertility rates, internal migration to large urban centres and lower migration levels means young rural New Zealanders skilled in almost any aspect of the primary sector are likely to be in the box seat for the rest of their working lives.
Programme to boost farmers’ financial and risk management skills
The Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) will design and deliver a Ministry for Primary Industries-funded programme to help lift farmers’ risk management skills, in the hope of preventing business failure.
Treasury shares forestry review focus
The Treasury has released the terms of reference into a review of Overseas Investment Act (OIA) regulations, which ease the process for foreign forestry investors to buy land.
Large Northland berry farm takes shape
Award-winning horticultural and hydroponic entrepreneurs Maungatapere Berries, run by the Malley family, is under way with the first stage of tunnel houses covering 10ha for berryfruit production near Kaikohe in the Mid-North.
Te Kopuru set to transform
Quiet Te Kopuru is to become the centre of one of two Northland water storage and irrigation schemes to be built by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust.
