Corporate farm labour : an indication of main labour issues facing some of New Zealand's corporate farming entities

Abstract

Labour, or the shortage thereof in NZ is an issue across all industries, and agriculture is no less affected than any other. The growth in land values in the past 5 years see's the affordability of purchase and economic operation of farms, as a challenge for those looking to increase their business size, or enter into farm ownership. With the requirements for larger scale farms to make a growing business financially sustainable, the corporate farming entity or equity partnership is becoming more prevalent. The objectives of this report were to: • Talk with corporate farming entities to see what the realities of the demand & supply of labour is for them • To find out what their number one issue was with regards to employment / labour • To see if there is a correlation between what these large companies are finding in their own businesses to others in their industries • Provide information for those looking at either a career in management or forming their own large farming company.