Creation of New State Owned Enterprise

Creation of New State Owned Enterprise A Positive Move

The PSA says the creation of the new state owned enterprise, AsureQuality, is a positive move for the workforce and for New Zealand.

The formation of AsureQuality, through the merger of AgrQuality and Asure New Zealand was announced this afternoon by the SOEs new chairperson, John Spencer.

AgriQuality provides food safety and biosecurity services. Asure NZ meat inspectors ensure all red meat killed for sale is fit for local and overseas consumption. The merger will be completed on October 1.

“The PSA has always supported the merger because of the difficulties caused by having two SOEs competing against each other,” says Richard Wagstaff, National Secretary of the PSA, the union representing 1050 staff at the two SOEs.

“The competition has impeded efforts to improve service delivery and hampered the staff’s
ability to respond to biosecurity threats.”

“It’s crucial to our economy that we have effective biosecurity to protect the primary industry’s that the country relies on.”

The merger will enable the staff to work together to take a more strategic approach in this vital area,” says Richard Wagstaff.

He says competition between AgriQuality and Asure NZ has also created career instability and uncertainty for the workforce, which has affected the ability to recruit and retain skilled staff.

“Having a single SOE will mean a more stable working environment which will enable staff to focus on providing a quality service and improving the ability to respond to biosecurity threats,” says Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

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