Primary Industries Good Employer Awards 2021

Winner

Adam Hittmann (Vetora Waikato)

Vetora Waikato has prioritised supporting their employees in various ways, such as investing in staff development programmes tailored to the needs of their employees.

Videos about Vetora Waikato

Vetora Waikato's staff development programme (3.34) – YouTube

Vetora Waikato interview on awards night (44 seconds) – YouTube

Finalists

Brent and Rebecca Miller (MilkIQ Limited)

Gareth Edgecombe (T&G Global)

Videos about MilkIQ

Rebecca and Brent Miller, from Milk IQ, believe that each person should have a positive working environment on their farm. This video shows how they achieve this as they operate a practice and a philosophy called, Farmily (our farming family). Farmily is described as an intentional movement back to real values.

About MilkIQ and Farmily (3.35) – YouTube

MilkIQ interview on awards night (38 seconds) – YouTube

About this award

This award recognises employers who:

• provide great employment conditions
• have developed new or innovative programmes, processes, or practices providing a great work environment
• have an effective employee development programme.

This is shown by employers:

• providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and telling new employees about the organisation and the opportunities available to them
• supporting employee development through training, coaching, and mentoring
• providing equal opportunities for employees to move up and through the organisation in a positive way, and providing performance management practices that are transparent and fair
• having a transparent remuneration system which is regularly reviewed, ensures equitable job opportunities and conditions, and recognises employee contributions
• providing opportunities for staff to participate in organisational decisions.

Winner

Zac Robinson and Barry Wells (Port Blakely)

Port Blakely's commitment is to the health and safety of its people – not just direct employees, but also their families and their contractors. The company's holistic approach to wellbeing considers the physical, emotional, and financial safety and health of its team. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they ensured that all employees and contractors were well looked after.

Videos about Port Blakely

Port Blakely's health and safety culture (3.47) – YouTube

Port Blakely at the awards night (56 seconds)  – YouTube

Finalists

Liam O'Sullivan (Landcos Ventures Limited)

Constellation Brands NZ

About this award

This award recognises employers who:

• provide great employment conditions
• have developed new or innovative programmes, processes, or practices providing a great work environment
• have an effective health and safety programme.

This is shown by employers:

• supporting and encouraging employee participation in health and safety, and taking a proactive approach to employee health and wellbeing
• providing a workplace where employees are safe from harassment and bullying
• empowering employees by respecting what makes them different
• providing a workplace where employees can balance work with the rest of their lives.

Winner

Chubby Rewi (Rewi Haulage Limited)

Due to COVID-19, Rewi Haulage directors, Chubb and Agnes Rewi, realised their business needed to adapt. They achieved this by expanding and diversifying, to not only increase the sustainability of the business but to also give their people more opportunities to realise their own career goals.

Videos about Rewi Haulage

Rewi Haulage and its staff (3.52) – YouTube

Rewi Haulage at the awards night (44 seconds) – YouTube

Finalist

Shannon Te Huia (Pūniu River Care)

Pūniu River Care Inc. (PRC) purpose is to enable local hapū to be involved in improving the water quality and replenishing taonga within the Pūniu River Catchment. They employ whanau and rangitahi from their hapū and put their kaimahi through cadetships, encouraging them to further their learning and development relevant to their mahi.

Videos about Pūniu River Care

Working at Pūnui River Care (4.00) – YouTube

Pūnui River Care at the awards night (42 seconds) – YouTube

About this award

This award recognises employers who:

• provide good employment conditions
• have developed new or innovative programmes, processes, or practices providing a great work environment
• have in place an effective programme in employee development or health and safety
• identify as a Māori agribusiness
• provide pathways for Māori employees to advance in the organisation
• can incorporate tikanga Māori to increase individual, community, hapu, and iwi outcomes.

Winner

Rayonier Matariki Forests

Rayonier Matariki Forests has shown great commitment to the spirit of the Supreme Award. This includes a commitment to diversity, strengthening their connection to Māori culture, investing in developing their employees, rebranding sick leave to 'wellness leave', and having a major focus on health and safety through multiple initiatives.

Videos about Rayonier Matariki Forests

The work of Rayonier Matariki Forests (3.09) – YouTube 

Rayonier Matariki Forests at the awards night (1.19) – YouTube 

Finalists

Rhys and Kiri Roberts (Align Clareview)

Rhys and Kiri Roberts, Align Clairview, have identified a number of challenges facing the dairy industry as well as opportunities to overcome these challenges in their business and the wider community. This video gives us insight into their current focus, which includes offering split rostering and choice of work times.

Video about  Align Clairview (4.01) – YouTube 

James Trevelyan (Trevelyan's)

Trevelyan’s promotes a culture of family values and respect for its people to overcome the challenge of attracting and retaining quality staff. This video demonstrates how the organisation is committed to telling their story and sharing its efforts to help encourage other organisations to follow suit.

About this award

This award recognises employers who:

• provide great employment conditions in their business or organisation
• demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the workplace
• share their ideas and resources among others to lift expectations of great employment in their region
• have a highly effective programme in employee development or health and safety.

Employee Development Award

Safe and Healthy Work Environment Award

Māori Agribusiness Award

Supreme Award

Video of the awards night

Highlights from the Good Employer Awards ceremony (5.38) – Youtube