Safer Farms receives $11m in ACC funding

Andy Milne, of ACC, and Safer Farms chair Lindy Nelson. ACC will invest $11 million in the Farm Without Harm programme.

ACC and Safer Farms have announced a new partnership to reduce harm, injuries and fatalities in the agricultural sector.

The partnership will see more than $11 million invested by ACC over the next five years to support the agriculture sector in the implementation of Safer Farms’ grassroots Farm Without Harm strategy.

Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous places for New Zealanders to work. In 2024, ACC accepted more than 17,116 new farming-related injury claims and spent over $124m to help people recover from farming-related injuries.

Safer Farms chair Lindy Nelson said the investment was a significant boost to the programme.

“This support from ACC means we can amplify what we have already been doing – working with farming leaders and supporting farming people to protect each other from preventable harm.

“We will be investing additional resources into initiatives which are designed to change behaviours and foster a stronger safety culture on farms, enhance engagement, capability and capacity within the sector and empower sector leadership and collaboration to drive aligned and coordinated action,” she said.

“We’re excited to enter a partnership together with Safer Farms,” said Andy Milne, ACC’s deputy chief executive strategy, engagement and prevention.

“We’re committed to driving positive and enduring change for New Zealand’s agricultural sector and we believe Safer Farms is key to supporting that commitment.”