Businesswomen using mobile phone analyzing data and economic growth graph chart. Technology digital marketing and network connection.
Businesswomen using mobile phone analyzing data and economic growth graph chart. Technology digital marketing and network connection.
Kiwifruit Breeding Centre in Te Puke
Plant & Food Research and Zespri have confirmed a new 50/50 joint venture Kiwifruit Breeding Centre has been formally approved and will start operating from October 1, 2021.
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson. Photo / NZME
The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre will be based in Te Puke, as well as operating out ofKerikeri, Motueka and Mt Albert, and have a presence offshore in selected kiwifruit regions globally.
Its focus will be driving greater innovation within kiwifruit breeding, focusing on creating healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties.
The proposal to create the centre was signposted publicly in December 2020, and follows two years of due diligence.
Plant & Food Research chief executive David Hughes described the decision as an exciting step for industry and innovation.
Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson said the new venture underpinned the industry's commitment to accelerate innovation.
"This is an exciting development for our industry and will allow us to extend New Zealand's position as the world's leading innovator in kiwifruit.
"The centre represents our commitment to broaden our efforts exploring promising new varieties within our research pipeline and bring these to our growers and consumers faster."
Katikati-based fresh produce supplier Darling Group has announced an investment by New Zealand financial services company Booster that would see its investment arm Booster Tahi LP take a significant stake in the group.
Darling group managing director Andrew Darling. Photo / Supplied
Darling Group supplies fresh produce to both the domestic and international markets. The group works with growers in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne as well as in Australia and the Americas to produce, pack, and export premium fresh produce. Darling Group was also a grower of avocados, kiwifruit, blueberries and citrus in New Zealand.
"Bringing in an external investor is a strategic decision to facilitate our continued growth and will enable us to continue our goal of helping the world eat healthier every day," Darling group managing director Andrew Darling said.
Booster managing director Allan Yeo. Photo / Supplied
Booster managing director Allan Yeo said the investment reinforced Booster's commitment to helping New Zealand businesses fulfil their growth potential and keep them Kiwi owned.
"This is the kind of innovative, inventive and growth minded thinking that embodies what we stand for and now our members can invest in this company that's working really hard to literally grow New Zealand's produce industry."
Funding for Māori to get into trades
The Whakatōhea Pre-Apprenticeship Trade Training project in the Bay of Plenty has received $1.8 million to help Māori into the trades.
On Monday Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said nationally more than 800 jobseekers would be supported on pathways into employment, education and training.
Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni. Photo / NZME
Funding is from the Māori Trades and Training Fund.
"The MTTF will support over 500 Māori job seekers into employment and training opportunities, with $18.576 million committed to a range of new and existing projects.
"There are many elements to MTTF that makes it unique and successful. It not only supports Māori into jobs, but it supports businesses to be competitive, building their resiliency to grow and take on more apprentices.''
Industry open days to showcase job opportunities
A construction and infrastructure day is being held in Tauranga on August 31.
The event is being hosted by Ara Rau Pathway to Works and will kickstart a series of Industry Awareness Open Days.
Marissa Nikora, from Ara Rau, said it was a chance to highlight to the community the job opportunities available in a specific industry and work through what's needed to be work-ready.
"At our construction and infrastructure industry open day, you'll hear specifically about the construction of the Tauranga Northern Link – a major infrastructure project beginning later this year.
"Our goal is to pathway those ready for work into employment, and to identify further support for those needing more help. This might include referrals to other services or one-on-one support."
The industry open days would showcase key industries with significant employment opportunities across Tauranga Moana.
"With plenty of jobs being created across a range of sectors in the region, it's going to take a collaborative effort to ensure business sustainability and community prosperity."
• For more information contact Ara Rau at info@ararau.co.nz.
Task Force focused on Tauranga CBD
The Urban Task Force met in Tauranga recently to see how members could help shape the future of the city.
The group was made up of property leaders and chairman Scott Adams said "we need to shift the narrative and put the bad news stories about the city behind us".
UTF chairman Scott Adams addresses a panel discussion about Tauranga CBD. Photo / Supplied
"The Long-Term Plan is now in place and a significant shift in momentum is underway at Tauranga City Council. It's time for the private sector to step up and join the conversation about how we shape the future of the city."
Adams said with the right collaboration and co-operation Tauranga was poised to become the commercial, cultural, and civic heart of the Bay of Plenty.
"We want this to be the place where people from all around the region come to spend time and money."
