About us

Why 'Mana tangata'?

This website aims to better understand the food and fibre sectors' workforce, for example, helping predict what skills we'll need, where and when. It makes the data visual, accessible and easy to use. It's an authoritative source to help employers, educators, businesses, investors and government make more informed decisions alongside the sector's people.

To find the right te reo Māori translation, we consulted MPI’s Principal Tikanga adviser, Kaituitui Raniera Bassett. He impressed on us the need to consider our values. We should think about those who will maintain the website after us, and what the name will mean to them. It should uphold the website's integrity, so the data and content delivers for those who need it.

We also consulted people representing those who work in the sectors, the 'Primary sector workforce dataset and forecasting working group'. They said people are at the heart of this work – it's their skill, commitment, integrity, tenacity, leadership and affinity with land and water that makes the sectors succeed.

'Mana tangata' evokes people-powered sectors. The website contains data about numbers of people, but we wanted to show the numbers represent the mana of the people.

Who prepares this data?

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in collaboration with the Primary sector workforce dataset and forecasting working group and New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) pulled this data together.

NZIER led interviews with industry representatives, informing role and skill level estimates. MPI led the workforce count. The team compiled data from many Stats NZ datasets and interviews with industry representatives.

We also used industry group and strategy initiative documents. Primary sector workforce dataset and forecasting working group gave guidance.

Primary sector workforce dataset and forecasting working group

as at July 2024:

Susan Wilson (Susie), Joint Chair, Manager, Science Innovation & Workforce Policy, Policy and Trade, MPI

Grant Bell, Joint Chair, Manager, Data Insights, Policy and Trade, MPI

Hugh Bigsby, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, Lincoln University

Jay Bocock, Chief Executive Officer, Pūkenga Mahi, national Kaupapa Māori Workforce Development Agency for Primary Industries

Nicola Crennan, External Relations Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers

David Evison, Associate Professor, School of Forestry, University of Canterbury and Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council

Dion Gamperle, Senior Policy Analyst, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Kate Longman, Engagement and Extension Manager, Horticulture New Zealand

Olivia Weatherburn, National Extension Programme Manager, Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Blair Morgans, Primary ITO, primary sector work-based education and training

Mike Murphy, Head of Communications and Strategic Projects, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)

Vanessa Malloy, Data Analyst, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)

Ashlin Chand, Policy and Trade Manager, Meat Industry Association

Erin Simpson, Chair, Muka Tangata Council, Muka Tangata

Fraser Sloane, Team Lead Innovation, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)

Justine Stephen, General Manager Skills Leadership & Advice, Muka Tangata

Nichola Shackleton, Lead Analyst, Skills Leadership & Advice, Muka Tangata

Jane Muir, Senior People Specialist, Farm Solutions and Policy, DairyNZ

Cathy Webb, Seafood Standards Manager, Seafood NZ