In Focus. June 18, 2015

National Fieldays

Last week I spent two very full and busy days attending the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays at Hamilton in my capacity as Minister for Food Safety and Associate Minister of Primary Industries.

Fieldays are always a brilliant opportunity to hear about the latest news, innovations and challenges from across New Zealand’s agricultural industries. It is also an opportunity to meet people from all facets of agriculture including visiting international ministers and guests and to catch up with some of my constituents attending as visitors or showcasing their businesses.

The National-led Government is focused on building a more competitive and productive economy that will enable exporters to sell more of what they produce to the world. It is great to see at Fieldays the scope of development, invention and progress farming businesses and those supporting them are achieving.

The Government is working towards an aspirational goal of doubling the value of our primary sector exports to $64 billion by 2025. Exports for meat and wool are now worth more than $8 billion and are forecast to grow by 22 per cent over the next three years.

Fieldays 2015 another big success

Despite the challenges of drought, other climatic challenges and lower payouts, our agricultural sector looks to be in good heart. This year’s Fieldays has been another major success and shows the resilience of the primary sector.

Over 126,000 visitors attended the 47th annual Fieldays this year. It is the biggest agricultural event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

The mood at Fieldays was positive overall despite the lower payout this year for dairy farmers. Beef exports are strong and horticulture exports are enjoying a record year. The announcement of the official cash rate (OCR) reducing to 3.25% is a timely boost for the primary sector and will help provincial New Zealand.

Farmers know that commodity prices go up and down, and are in it for the long term. The future looks extremely positive with growing Asian markets almost on our doorstep.

Agritech exports are worth around $1.2b a year and steadily growing, and that's why many international delegations visit the Fieldays - to learn from New Zealand’s agribusiness expertise.

Rural mental health support boost

At Fieldays Primary Industries Minister and Health Minister Jonathon Coleman announced a $500,000 funding boost to support mental health initiatives targeted at rural communities. The one-off funding boost has been provided equally by the two Ministries.

Those working within the agricultural sector and beyond know that rural depression is a significant issue. Physical isolation along with uncertainties of weather and reliance on the land mean farmers and those depending on farming incomes are more at risk than those who live and work in towns and cities.

The importance of farmers and their family’s wellbeing during challenging times is recognised by this funding boost.

Improvements to the coordination of existing outreach services and the development of new support programmes and resources for those farmers and communities in great need will be helped along by the extra funding.

We know farmers are good at looking after their properties, their stock and the plant they rely on, but their own wellbeing often takes second place.

New research and community programmes to combat elder abuse

New research released recently shows around one in 10 older New Zealanders have suffered some form of abuse or neglect.

With our ageing population, this research, the first specifically focused on New Zealand, suggests the rate of elder abuse could increase significantly.

Last year, Age Concern received more than 2,000 referrals for older people who suffered some form of abuse, either physical, financial or psychological.

One of the contributing factors to elder abuse is social isolation. Older people who lack connections with their community are at an increased risk.

A successful initiative called Connects, set up as a pilot in Napier, has proved effective as an umbrella organisation bringing together many of the groups working with seniors such as Age Concern, the RSA and Grey Power.

The Government also funds 27 elder abuse and neglect prevention services around New Zealand, which offer assistance to older people and their families.

More information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the new research and Connects can be accessed at www.osc.govt.nz.

Timaru broadband build completed

Faster internet’s now available to more residents in Timaru – the local build of the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network is now complete.

It’s a real plus for Timaru locals who will benefit from what the network has to offer.

More than 14,000 schools, medical centres, business and homes can connect up to the network now the local build is sorted.

Uptake in Timaru is actually the fifth-highest in the country, so it’s great to see that a good number of people nearby are already on board. I’m sure we’ll see more and more connectivity over time.

15 schools in and around Timaru are fibre-ready, and 13 or those are connected to Network for Learning – a Government programme to provide schools with speedy internet, uncapped data and content filtering services.

Whether you’re a business looking to compete nationally or internationally, a school looking to log-on to the latest learning material or someone at home wanting to Skype a friend or relative, there’s something in it for you when it comes to UFB.

Upcoming Events

June 21 - 27 – Volunteer Week Aoteraroa
June 22 – Constituency work (Ashburton)
June 23 - 25 – Parliament sitting
June 26 – Rangitata Lunch Club (Timaru), guest speaker Alastair Scott, MP for Wairarapa
June 28 – grand opening St Mary’s Church (Timaru)
June 30 - July 2 – Parliament sitting
July 6 – Constituency work (Timaru)

Regards,

Jo Goodhew

ends

© Scoop Media