The Lesley Pearse Women of Courage Award comes to New Zealand for the first time in 2010.

Bestselling author Lesley Pearse joined forces with Penguin in the UK to launch this annual award in 2006. Their vision was to recognise the heroines among us who often go unnoticed — ordinary women who show extraordinary strength and dedication in their everyday lives.

This year, Lesley Pearse, New Zealand Women's Weekly and Penguin Group (NZ) are inviting the New Zealand public to nominate a woman who they feel deserves to be called a Woman of Courage. She doesn’t need to have scaled mountains or leaped tall buildings in a single bound — we’re looking for someone who inspires others in the way she lives her everyday life. She might be a woman who has suffered hard knocks and battled on with a smile on her face. Or perhaps she has dedicated all her time and resources to making things better for others.

Five finalists will be chosen from your entries in May 2010, and Lesley herself will select the inaugural New Zealand Woman of Courage. The winner and a friend will be flown to London for five nights in June to enjoy a lunch event where Lesley will present the winner with a framed certificate and $500 worth of Penguin books. Penguin will also donate $500 to a charity of the winner’s choice. The four runners-up will each receive a framed certificate and $200 worth of Penguin books.

Economics scholarship

Flower Doctoral Fellowship in Economics

Waikato Management School

University of Waikato

Hamilton, New Zealand
Economics PhD candidates with research interests in New Zealand’s agricultural future are invited to submit applications for the $30,000 Flower Doctoral Fellowship in Economics at the University of Waikato.
Candidates will have completed an honours or masters degree and demonstrate a genuine interest in the agricultural sector and the potential of economic analysis to transform practice and policy to achieve better outcomes and more effectively address future opportunities and challenges.
Applications close April 30, 2010 for a July 1, 2010 start date. For more information:

http://www.waikato.ac.nz/research/scholarships/pdf/FlowerDoctoralFellowship.pdf
For further details, contact Professor Riccardo Scarpa + 647 838 4848, rscarpa@waikato.ac.nz or Professor John Gibson, +647 838 4289, jkgibson@waikato.ac.nz

Benefit and Superannuation payments increase 1 April

Benefits and Superannuation payments will increase from tomorrow, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.


The increase of 1.96% means benefits and pension rates keep pace with increases to the cost of living.

"National is the first Government to enshrine in law, an automatic increase in benefits in line with CPI adjustments. This ensures fairness and certainty for those reliant on Government support," says Ms Bennett.
For further information click Title above.

New minimum wage rates come into effect 1 April

The minimum wage will increase from $12.50 to $12.75 an hour before tax.


This applies to all employees aged 16 and over, who are not new entrants or trainees. The training and new entrants' minimum wages will increase from $10.00 to $10.20 an hour before tax.
 
Click Title above for more information

Proposal to remove tobacco from public view - consultation

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia announced today that the Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on a proposal to have all tobacco displays and products stored out of public view. Mrs Turia says it is vital that we do more to help people quit smoking and stop young people from being tempted to take up the habit.  Click title above for full story.

Foundation for Arable Research dates for your diary

For FAR March event dates, click on the Title above.

TotalSpan Bus Shelter applications due 30 April

The TotalSpan Undercover Kids Bus Shelter Programme 2010 is underway after extemely successful campaigns in 2008/09 which took the total number of Undercover Kids bus shelters around NZ to date to 194.
This year there will be one round of applications with the aim of approving 100 shelters.
Applications close on Friday 30 April 201 with successful applicants being announced in mid June.
For more information or to download an application form, go to http://www.totalspan.co.nz/. 

JULY: PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT FRAMES UP NATURE

Simon Woolf, one of New Zealand’s leading professional photographers is hosting a photographic retreat at the Bay of Many Coves Resort in the Marlborough Sounds. The retreat takes place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 July.
The retreat offers recreational photographers the chance to develop their skills and create stunning images amongst marine life, unique flora and fauna and exceptional landscapes. When each day is over, participants can relax in luxury and enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the Sounds.
Spaces on the retreat are limited. To find out more see www.bayofmanycoves.co.nz

Dairy Women's Network Conference

New Plymouth on May 12 and 13th.

This year the Dairy Women's Network has formed a partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Trust and has Ambassador Carol Hirschfeld and Dr John Harmon speaking at a specially hosted breakfast about their goal of curing breast cancer by 2018. Tickets are available to purchase as a stand alone event and proceeds of this breakfast will be donated back to the trust.

Details of the Dairy Women's Network national conference are available on the DWN website: www.dwn.co.nz - as are online registrations. A conference programme may be downloaded online. Enquiries to Office Manager, 07 838 5238.

A bra request for The Girl Guides and Breast Cancer NZ

This year the Breast Cancer Foundation has asked Girl Guiding NZ to help raise awareness for breast cancer. This opportunity is also a fantastic way for the Guides to achieve their community action and help them realise they have a voice that will be heard. The topic for Thinking Day this year is "World Poverty". This will help the girls become aware of the countries that are far less fortunate than ours. Whether you have 1 bra or 100 it doesn't matter because it all helps!
Any bras can be sent to:
Robyn Martinovich, 550 Mahuta Rd, RD1, Dargaville

Agriculture Minister leads agritech mission to China

Agriculture Minister David Carter is leading a delegation of New Zealand agricultural technology companies to China this week.
The trade mission will visit Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang in Northern China. These are leading dairy producing provinces with links to New Zealand through the Yili and Mengniu dairy companies and the Heilongjiang Dairy Project.
While in Beijing Mr Carter will hold a range of meetings with senior Chinese Ministers and business leaders, and sign a dairy cooperation agreement with the Chinese Government. He will also visit Fonterra’s operations outside of Beijing.
“China is our second-largest trading partner, with total trade exceeding $10 billion in 2009, and export growth has continued to soar despite the global downturn,” says Mr Carter.
“The governments of both our countries are working closely together in the areas of agriculture and food safety. The trade mission will build on this growing cooperation and bring to China expertise and innovation from some of New Zealand’s leading agritech companies.
“New Zealand is one of the world’s most efficient producers of food, and our expertise in pasture management, animal husbandry, genetic improvement, dairy production, testing and processing are sought-after internationally," Mr Carter says.
A total of 12 companies are taking part in the trade mission, including Fonterra, PGG Wrightson, AgResearch, AsureQuality and Massey and Lincoln Universities.

The Asthma Foundation: "Flu vaccine is important"

The Asthma Foundation strongly recommends that people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses are immunised with the combined swine flu/seasonal flu vaccine, now available through GP's surgeries. Influenza vaccination is one of the few preventive measures known to save lives in people with chronic lung diseases.

Charities Commission Board Seeking Nominations

The Department of Internal Affairs, on behalf of the Minister for the Communities and Voluntary Sector, is seeking nominations for three upcoming vacancies on the Charities Commission Board. A Memorandum to this effect is attached. Also attached is an information sheet for potential candidates. Please note that the deadline for nominations is Wednesday 31 March 2010.  Click Title for further information.

Pig farmers environmental stewards

New Zealand Pork today released the results of a year-long study into the environmental practices of
pig farmers.

The report, entitled “Supporting exceptional environmental stewardship in the New Zealand pork
industry”, provides case studies of nine farms representing 20 percent of industry production.

“While focusing mainly on the management of piggery manure, the research shows exceptional
commitment to maintaining and positively enhancing the environment,” says Sam McIvor, CEO of
New Zealand Pork.

“These farmers showed a high level of investment and innovation in adding value to what is an
important piggery by-product, and this investment is well beyond the requirements of their Council
consents.”

The report also draws on international and New Zealand based research to provide a better
understanding of the environmental impacts of piggeries.

“These findings, along with the case studies, provide strong evidence that the pork industry’s
environmental footprint is much smaller than often assumed. Despite this, pig farms are heavily
regulated – often at very high cost to the farmer,” says McIvor.

“We are hopeful that this report will provide a platform for holding constructive discussions with
Councils, leading to more effective environmental management, reduced costs for farmers and less
stringent regulation of farms,” says McIvor.

“In essence, this is a win-win-win situation – for the environment, for Councils and for farmers.”

For further information, please contact: Sam McIvor, CEO, New Zealand Pork, phone:
(04) 917 4754 or 029 438 8222

For a copy of the report, please contact Natasha Tunnicliffe at New Zealand Pork, (04) 917
4750 or email info@pork.co.nz.

The research was funded by the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund.

Minister takes dairy farmers to task on pollution

Agriculture Minister David Carter is putting dairy farmers who pollute on notice following the release today of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord 2008/09 snapshot report.

“The data from this year’s snapshot tells a totally unacceptable story of effluent management. Regardless of whether this is because farmers don’t have the right tools, don’t know how to comply, or simply don’t care, behaviour has to change.”
Mr Carter says the dairy industry as a whole will suffer through the damage caused to its national and international reputation, unless New Zealand can back up its claims of sustainable dairying with tangible action and evidence.
“You can argue the merits of dairy to our economy until the cows come home – but until every farmer takes responsibility for improving effluent management, the environment and dairying’s reputation will suffer.
“I am putting non-complying dairy farmers across the country on notice. You need to take individual responsibility for this issue and work more effectively with your neighbours, your regional councils and your industry body.
“I am also calling on regional councils and partners of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord to lift their game. They need to work harder at identifying those farmers who want to comply but need some help, and support them toward compliance. Regional councils also need to be more consistent in their monitoring, and be more rigorous in their application of existing regulations to penalise those flouting the law.
“Once we have supported those farmers who want to comply, we can look at whether existing regulation needs to be strengthened to target those remaining farmers who blatantly pollute.”
Mr Carter said he recognises the success Fonterra has achieved in ensuring 99% of dairy farmers have a tailored nutrient budget.
“But the dairy industry needs to take the next step and see effective nutrient management systems in place, supporting farm efficiency and minimising environmental impact. Fonterra has assured me it will introduce measures to meet this challenge and I welcome this response.
“Unfortunately, the figures for 2009/10 are unlikely to bring us any closer to our vision of sustainable dairying in New Zealand, as the reporting year is almost over. But this time next year, I expect a report back on action taken to tell a more positive story,” Mr Carter says.
Click title to view the The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord 2008/09 Snapshot report.

Fonterra to check effluent systems on 'Every Farm Every Year'

Fonterra is rolling out a major initiative to check every farm’s effluent management infrastructure, every year in a move to address non-compliance with regional council dairy effluent rules. It includes doubling the resources applied, to help suppliers achieve sustainable dairying on farm.

Announcing the programme, Gary Romano, Managing Director, Fonterra Trade and Operations said it will initially be piloted in the Waikato from March this year, with national rollout from the start of the 2010/2011 financial year in August.
“Our goal is to halve significant non-compliance with council dairy effluent rules within 18 months, then trending to zero. Going out to every farm across the country, every year as part of the annual Farm Dairy Assessment is the best way to achieve this. We will be working in partnership with our farmers to achieve a marked improvement in compliance.”
Mr Romano said Clean Streams Accord results for 2008/09, which showed national significant non-compliance with council rules now stood at 15% compared to 12% in the prior year, were “completely unacceptable”. There were reasons, but no excuses for the decline.
“Compliance monitoring has been stepped up, so obviously more non-compliance is being identified. We have also seen monitoring extended beyond the farm dairy to other areas such as feed pads and stock underpasses. But while these are contributors for the poor result, they are no excuse.
“Fonterra is determined to get on top of this effluent issue. The New Zealand community expects it, our customers expect it and the vast majority of our complying farmers expect it. We are determined to deliver on those expectations and partnering with our farmers to provide advice and support is the best way to achieve this.
“We will also be looking to regional councils to partner with us as we’re partnering with our farmers so we get year-on-year consistency in monitoring and a shared effort to lift performance. Experience shows the most proactive councils who are working constructively with farmers are getting the best results and we’d like to see this mirrored in every region.”
Under the new programme, Fonterra will check every farm’s dairy effluent infrastructure every year as part of the annual Farm Dairy Assessment. Systems found to be at risk of non-compliance will be referred to a Sustainable Dairying Specialist. They will work with affected farmers to develop action plans and a timeframe for implementation. Where there is critical non-compliance, immediate action will be required.
Mr Romano said the “every farm, every year” initiative is a step up in Fonterra’s work with its shareholders to improve compliance with dairy effluent rules.
“Farmers will understand that this is an investment in a support and advisory programme to help them meet council rules and avoid the high financial consequences of failing to meet those rules. It’s a collaborative approach with us working alongside them. Shareholders will see the sense of Fonterra getting more proactive in farm effluent checks which ultimately will save them higher costs through avoiding potential penalties later on. They will also welcome our working with councils to get consistency in monitoring and enforcement.”
Mr Romano said the lack of year-on-year consistency by some councils in enforcing effluent regulations was creating understandable frustration among suppliers.
“We note that regional councils now have a code of practice for monitoring and we look forward to this being consistently applied. All councils should be mirroring those councils who are working constructively with farmers to get improvements.”
The programme complemented the Effluent Improvement Scheme (EIS) introduced last year.
Under the EIS, Fonterra steps in to work with a farmer who has been subject to council enforcement action for non-compliance, ensuring remedial plans are put in place. Deductions from the milk cheque - $1500 for infringement notices and $3,000 for prosecutions - will be made where there have been prosecutions. Proceeds from these deductions are then applied to on-farm remedial work. The ultimate sanction for persistent non-compliance is refusing to collect milk, a sanction Fonterra had applied twice last year.
“We know through our Effluent Improvement Scheme that farmers referred to our Sustainable Dairying Specialists are achieving improved effluent management when they receive the specialist advice needed to get their systems compliant year-round,” said Mr Romano.

“But rather than wait for referrals, we’re stepping up our support to farmers, helping them with an annual check of effluent infrastructure. To do this, we are doubling the resources committed to this task. We are confident this will help our shareholders identify any potential problems which could affect their compliance.”
Mr Romano said the “every farm, every year” approach reflected the importance Fonterra placed on lifting compliance rates.
“We are not taking over enforcement which remains councils’ responsibility. What we are doing is getting early warning systems in place to help farmers spot potential problems and address them before problems arise. We have set an ambitious target to halve non-compliance in 18 months, trending to zero. But we can’t meet these ambitious targets alone. We look forward to our farmers and regional councils working with us and DairyNZ to achieve these goals.”
The new initiative sits alongside commitments already made by DairyNZ, Fonterra and Federated Farmers to improve compliance rates. These include the EnviroWalk tool which enables farmers to self-check effluent systems, the AgITO effluent training module for farm staff and the soon-to-be released code of practice for suppliers of effluent management equipment and advice.
Mr Romano said the Waikato has been chosen as a pilot area because only 15% of farms in that region are currently monitored annually by Environment Waikato.
“This means fewer suppliers at risk of non-compliance are referred to Fonterra by Environment Waikato for follow-up consultations, advice and effluent management plan development.”
Mr Romano said he was confident the “every farm, every year” initiative would be supported by suppliers.
“The vast majority are committed to sustainable dairying and comply with regional council rules. They will share our disappointment in these non-compliance results and share our determination to improve them.”

Forest & Bird is concerned that the environmental performance of dairy farmers is getting worse

Forest & Bird is concerned that the environmental performance of dairy farmers is getting worse.
Forest & Bird Advocacy Manager Kevin Hackwell says the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord snapshot is disappointing. It shows that the average level of significant non-compliance by dairy farmers increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent in the past year.
“That’s a 25 per cent increase in serious non-compliance. It’s unacceptable that we are going backwards on environmental standards after seven years of the accord and with all that’s known about the impacts of intensive dairying on our waterways,” he says.
The worst regions are Northland (where 27 per cent of dairy farmers significantly failed to meet accord targets), Auckland (23 per cent), Waikato (20 per cent) and Canterbury (19 per cent).
Of the accord’s five targets, just two are being met – fencing streams and bridging waterways for cattle crossing.
The report card shows farmers have failed to make progress in the past year toward the other three targets – meeting regional plan and resource consent standards, managing nutrients and fencing regionally significant wetlands.
“A significant minority of dairy farmers are getting away with completely unacceptable practices in areas where regional councils are not keeping tabs on them,” Kevin Hackwell says.
Regional councils that are taking monitoring and enforcement seriously and are working closely with dairy farmers are making progress. For instance, in Wellington region, significant non-compliance has dropped from 28 per cent to 4 per cent. “Wellington is a role model for other regions,” Kevin Hackwell says. “The non-performing farmers and the non-performing regional councils are letting down the entire country.”

Applications are now open for Aspire scholarships

The Aspire Scholarship is for students from low-medium income families who would like to attend a New Zealand private secondary school. The scholarship contributes up to $15,000 per year for private secondary school tuition fees and up to $1,500 per year for course related costs. The scholarship does not cover boarding fees and cannot be used at state or state-integrated schools.  Click Title above for more information.

Young agricultural professionals wanted to visit Japan

The Japanese Embassy is calling for applicants to its Invitation Programme for Special Fields Counterparts which will be sending 50 young New Zealanders, who are either engaged or interested in agriculture, to visit Japan this year.
Applications close on 2 April 2010.
Participants will spend 10 days over July in Tokyo and Hokkaido experiencing Japanese agriculture, society and culture.
The Programme includes lectures, meeting government and industry people, visits to agricultural sites, and cultural events. The aim is to provide insight into Japanese agriculture and to develop a mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand.
Applicants must be eager to pursue a career that fosters Japan-New Zealand relations and be:
A New Zealand citizen and;
35 years of age or below and;
Interested or specializing in agriculture by being:
Engaged in agriculture, forestry or fisheries including the processing, distribution or marketing or;
An academic, researcher or journalist or;
A politician or;
A government official.

For application forms and further information visit http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/bilateral_relations/invitation_programmes.html

Golden Lamb Awards - Glammies

From almost 100 entries, Hugh and Helen Winder from Feilding have won the 2010 Meat & Wool New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards (aka Glammies) with their Fairlea Texels lamb.

The Winders beat 15 other finalists to have their lamb declared the most tender and tasty in New Zealand and named the Glammies Grand Champion. Their lamb was processed at the winning plant, Land Meat NZ Ltd.
The Champion Meat Retailer trophy went to Harmony Foods in Paeroa.

Government appoints wool sector leader

Agriculture Minister David Carter has appointed Dr Murray Horn to lead work towards forming a single body for the New Zealand wool industry.
“The Government is serious about uniting the wool sector and moving it forward. Securing a person of Dr Horn’s calibre gives me confidence that progress can be made quickly,” says Mr Carter.
Dr Horn has held senior executive roles with the ANZ Banking Group, including as chief executive of ANZ’s New Zealand operations, and is a former Treasury Secretary. He is currently on the Board of Telecom and chair of the National Health Board.
Mr Carter says Dr Horn will act as an independent convenor and will be facilitating a meeting of wool sector organisations to begin the process of forming a single voice for the industry.
“I urge all the players to engage constructively in this process. It is a vital step in ensuring the future of the strong wool sector,” says Mr Carter.
Dr Horn’s appointment follows the release of the Wool Taskforce report Restoring Profitability to the Strong Wool Sector to a group of wool sector leaders last month. The report recommended a ‘single voice’ be formed to act on behalf of the industry.

New Directors elected to Meat & Wool New Zealand Board

Kirsten Bryant has been elected to represent the Western North Island ward and Anne Munro has been elected to represent the Central South Island ward.

The official voting results are:-

Western North Island:- Kirsten Bryant 9,620 and Tony Gray 5,879, informal 16. The voting return percentage for the Western North Island ward was 25.25 percent.

Central South Island:- Anne Munro 8,890 and David Douglas (incumbent) 7,480, informal 6. The voting return percentage for Central South Island was 38.92 percent.

Both new directors will start their electoral term from the Meat & Wool New Zealand AGM on 24 March 2010.

AGMARDT is now allocating group grants for agribusiness innovation projects

Funding will be awarded for the development or commercialisation of an idea, or to get a project to a stage where it will attract further funding. Grants up to $120,000 are available. Eligible groups include farmers/growers, farm consultants, vets and research or technology providers.

Grants up to $20,000 are also available for pre-trial or demonstration purposes. In usual circumstances farm/industry support in cash, equating to at least 40% of the total project costs, is required to demonstrate commitment.

Project inquiries for the next funding round must be submitted by 30th March 2010.

For further details contact: Stephen Macaulay, AGMARDT, PO Box 25207, Panama Street, Wellington 6146 Telephone 04 499 6173 or visit the website agmardt.org.nz

Minimum wage rates effective 1st April

The new minimum wage rates will become effective on 1 April 2010. The adult minimum wage will be $12.75 an hour. That’s $102 for an eight-hour day, and $510 for a 40-hour week.

The new entrant’s minimum wage and the training minimum wage will be $10.20 an hour. That’s $81.60 for an eight-hour day, and $408 for a 40 hour week.

By law, employers must pay at least the minimum wage - even if an employee is paid by commission or by piece rate. The minimum wage applies to all workers aged 16 years or older, including home workers, casuals, temporary and part-time workers.

There is no statutory minimum wage for employees who are 15 years or younger. Pay rates for employees who are 15 years or younger are a negotiable matter between the employer and employee.

Holiday pay must be paid in addition to the minimum wage. If an employee receives “pay-as-you-go” holiday pay, this payment must be a separate and identifiable part of their pay. Find out more about pay-as-you-go holiday pay

An increase in the minimum wage will not affect an employee’s other conditions of employment, unless they agree to the changes.

The following can help you identify the correct minimum wage rate for your employee:

 The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not new entrants or trainees

 The new entrants minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and 17 except for those who have completed 200 hours or three months of employment, whichever is shorter; or who are supervising or training other workers; or who are trainees

 The training minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 and over who are doing recognised industry training involving at least 60 credits a year.

 There is no statutory minimum wage for employees who are 15 years or younger.

The Status of Women

The National Council of Women of New Zealand congratulates the Minister of Women's Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, for her statement to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York last week.  Click title for more info.