Helping the sector thrive

Kia ora koutou

I want to thank you for your leadership and hard work during the latest COVID-19 outbreak. The primary industries have shown a strong commitment to keeping their staff and New Zealanders safe from COVID-19 while providing vital food and fibre for Kiwis and overseas consumers.

A key part of our work together is the Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential (FFBW) roadmap, which was developed with Government, industry and Māori stakeholders to boost New Zealand’s recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

This newsletter is the first in a regular series that will update you on the FFBW work taking place across New Zealand. In each newsletter we'll showcase innovative work in the sector and you'll receive updates on the great mahi being done.

We’re keen to highlight the great work happening across the primary sector in these newsletters, so if you’d like to make suggestions for contributions please contact us at media@mpi.govt.nz. Please also feel free to share the newsletter widely.

I was extremely proud of our presence at Fieldays 2021, and thrilled to win the award for the Best Indoor Site. The display included a 12-metre wall illustrating the ways we are working to build a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive economy in the food and fibre sector through the Fit For a Better World roadmap.

We are proud to be working alongside industry partners and supporting initiatives that will continue to drive growth and prosperity for all New Zealanders.

Kia noho haumaru koutou katoa - may you all stay safe.

Ngā mihi
Ray Smith - Director-General MPI

The MPI team with the award for the Best Indoor Site at Fieldays 2021.

Fit For a Better World snapshots

Fresh support for farmer groups

More than 170 farmer-led catchment groups nationwide are now receiving financial support to restore New Zealand's rivers and waterways within a generation.

Helping Kiwis help the food and fibre sector

The Opportunity Grows Here summerfruit campaign is now under way. The OGH campaign has helped more than 6,700 Kiwis into jobs, on the back of 523,000 website visits.

Asparagus looks to tech for market boost

The autonomous harvester is expected to enable growers to reduce labour costs, facilitate a return to exporting fresh asparagus, and increase New Zealand's agritech production skills.

Potential for use of Kiwi wood on the rise

MPI and Red Stag Timber partner in a $5 million project to encourage developers and builders constructing boundary-pushing mid-rise structures from New Zealand timber.

Research into better beef for the world

A $17 million genetics programme aimed at reducing the environmental footprint
of New Zealand's
beef cattle has been launched by Government and Beef + Lamb NZ.

War against our most threatening weeds

National research aimed at finding biocontrol for some of our most invasive weeds offers long-term benefits for landowners and councils. It is supported by the SFF Futures fund.

Fresh on the menu: Milk from a vegetable

A plant-based milk made from New Zealand-grown buttercup squash has been launched in the Asian alternative proteins market – following funding from MPI’s
SFF Futures fund.

New award aims at school students

Ballance Agri-Nutrients will sponsor a new Sustainable Agricultural Award, to encourage a greater understanding of agriculture among primary and secondary school students.

Innovation adds strength to wool sales

An increasing shift back to using natural and environmentally sustainable materials is a huge opportunity to grow our wool sector, and to explore new uses for New Zealand wool.

Trees to be planted for a greener future

Biodiversity, erosion control and carbon sequestration will receive a boost in the Hawke's Bay region with the launch of three native tree-planting projects via the One Billion Trees programme.

New Zealand meat hits the mark in US

American foodies are increasingly loving New Zealand’s grass-fed beef and lamb products – for its impressive environmental credentials and its value for money.

GHG emissions calculator launched

The sheep and beef industry will be able to measure and manage its greenhouse gas emissions, with the launch of a calculator by Beef + Lamb NZ as part of He Waka Eke Noa.