What is PIAS?
Primary Industry Advisory Services is a programme to strengthen the advisory sector. It aims to boost the number of advisers available that are appropriately trained to give farm system-level advice. This will ensure advisers can provide robust advice and support producers with decision-making to improve their environmental and economic performance.
The PIAS programme aims to:
- attract more people into advisory careers
- develop adviser skills and knowledge
- give farmers more confidence that advice is coming from the right experts.
Who are primary industry advisers?
Primary producers get advice from a variety of sources, including:
- independent advisers and consultants (such as agricultural or environmental consultants)
- financial and business services (such as accountants)
- business goods and service providers (such as feed suppliers or vets)
- industry and public good organisations
- processors and exporters.
What is the PIAS programme doing?
The PIAS programme aims to enhance the capability and capacity of the advisory sector.
Producer research
Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research was commissioned to research how primary producers make use of the advisory sector.
Primary producers' perspectives on NZ’s primary industries advisory services system [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Read a literature review on primary industry advisory services in New Zealand [PDF, 684 KB]
System and workforce research
Scarlatti and Geosocial Technologies were commissioned to produce an overview of the advisory sector and identify how it can be improved:
Part 1 – Qualitative analysis into the issues facing the PIAS system [PDF, 2.4 MB]
Part 1b – Appendices to qualitative analysis [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Part 2 – A quantitative overview of the PIAS system [PDF, 1.9 MB]
Part 3 – Network analysis [PDF, 2.4 MB]
Part 4 – Research highlights and recommendations [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Advisory career attraction and development
PIAS has developed a new video raising awareness and showcasing careers in the primary industry advisory sector. The video has been launched by Agriculture and Investment Services, in collaboration with the Opportunity Grows Here campaign.
The video tells the story of farm adviser Ash Phillips. It provides insight into the diverse role of a farm adviser while showing how further study in the agricultural sector can lead to greater career opportunities.
Farm Adviser – Ash Phillips – YouTube
Strategy to replace certification scheme for advisers
The National Certification Scheme for farm environment plan advisers has been wound down. It became clear that it would be superseded by Freshwater Farm Plan requirements. To replace the scheme, scoping work is underway on a Workforce Development Strategy for the PIAS sector. The goal of the Workforce Development Strategy is to enhance the capacity, capability, and diversity of the advisory workforce, ensuring farmers and growers have confidence in the advice they get from advisers. This work looks at the settings for the structure of the workforce, including oversight and governance, qualifications and skills, and education and training systems.
Regional education
MPI provides regional seminars and events where advisers can get together and learn about important issues in the primary sector.
