The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand reported to the Department that Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez and Minister Marcos Punsalang met with the representatives of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, officers and members of the Filipino Dairy Workers of New Zealand on 12 January 2012 and a representative of Goodman Fielder dairy company which owns the Meadow Fresh dairy plant in Christchurch on 13 January 2012. These business meetings were held parallel with Post’s first ever mobile consular mission to Christchurch on 12-14 January 2012.
The first business meeting was with the Federated Farmers of New Zealand (FFNZ) represented by Mr. Neil Stott, North Canterbury Provincial President, Mr. Willy Leferink, National Board Member and Dairy Chairperson, Mr. Kerrin Stone, North Canterbury Dairy Chairman and Mr. Nick Clark, Manager for General Policy. Christchurch which is located in the Canterbury Region has the fastest growing dairy industry in New Zealand. Dairy farms in Canterbury tend to have bigger land areas, modern irrigation systems, more employees and enjoy greater rainfall. There were extensive discussions on the Filipino dairy workers who continue to play a vital role in the dairy industry of New Zealand, the Philippines being the 3rd largest importer of New Zealand dairy products, the Philippine Government’s plans to boost dairy production and livelihood in the Philippines in cooperation with New Zealand, the involvement of Filipino dairy workers who have gained exposure, expertise and experience in advance dairy production techniques and technologies being adopted in New Zealand and the Philippines’ interest in offshore farming which New Zealand is directing towards countries such as China, India and Brazil.
Mr. Leferink shared with Ambassador Benavidez their group’s favorable assessment of the skills and attitude of the Filipino dairy workers who are highly valued by their employers for their industriousness and sacrificial service. Ambassador Benavidez thanked the FFNZ for their high regard for Filipino dairy workers and their efforts to help them secure a more permanent tenure and support their plans for self improvement and skills upgrading essential to their being granted permanent residency status and higher positions subsequently. Ambassador Benavidez continues to enjoin Filipino migrant workers to upgrade their skills by attending courses offered for free by Career Force and Industrial Training Organization of New Zealand. She highlighted the fact that a big advantage to Filipinos working in New Zealand is that they are allowed to bring their families which motivates them to work harder
Ambassador Benavidez hosted a working dinner for Mr. Sam Bruzo, Chairman and the members of the Filipino Dairy Workers of New Zealand (FDWNZ) on 12 January 2012. FDWNZ is the largest umbrella organization of Filipino dairy workers in the Southland covering Ashburton, Invercargill, Rakaia and surrounding areas. She informed the Filipinos about the results of her meetings with the officers of FFNZ and their favourable impression and acknowledgement of the importance of Filipino dairy workers and the actions they are taking to address the immigration concerns of Filipino dairy workers and to have dairy work recognized as an essential skill which would lead to a more secure employment tenure. Ambassador Benavidez also briefed the Filipinos about her visit to the Christchurch Migrant Center where she met with Mr. Rex Gibson, Manager of the Center together with officers of the Center, representatives of the Christchurch Multicultural Council and Health Partnership for Christchurch which extend assistance, advice and help lines to ethnic communities in Christchurch. The Filipino dairy workers reiterated their deep appreciation for the continuing assistance being extended to them.
Mr. Bruzo discussed the project proposal being prepared by the FDWNZ to assist the Philippine dairy industry through the establishment of a model dairy farm in the Philippines utilizing the Filipino dairy workers’ knowledge of best practices in the New Zealand dairy industry. Ambassador Benavidez pointed out that there is so much that the Philippine dairy industry can learn from them. The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture has indicated its keen interest to pursue dairy cooperation with New Zealand and the participation of Filipino dairy workers in this important undertaking. The Filipinos were heartened by the Philippine government’s recognition of their efforts.
In anticipation of a study tour by Philippine dairy stakeholders from the government and the private sector to New Zealand, the FDWNZ expressed willingness to meet with them and highlighted the advantages of going to the South Island. These are: Southland in the mid-Canterbury region is the dairy capital of New Zealand known for its the dairy production and milk processing expertise, the region has the latest technology and best practices being used in the dairy industry such as rotary milking machines, irrigation systems, an experimental robotic milking farm and the breeds of cows suitable to the Philippines, among others, the terrain of the Canterbury region is flat which is similar to dairy farms in the Philippines and given the wealth of experience of the FDWNZ members in both Philippine and New Zealand dairy farms, they would know which ones are applicable in the Philippines.
Ambassador Benavidez and Minister Punsalang also met with Ms. Nicola Covich, Project Manager in charge of Dairy, Goodman Fielder dairy company and Mr. Craig Latimer, Sector Manager for Food and Beverages, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) at the Meadow Fresh dairy plant in Christchurch. The dairy plant is owned by Goodman Fielder.
Ms. Covich gave a briefing to on the dairy products being exported to the Philippines. Goodman Fielder has three dairy plants in New Zealand which annually produce 27 million liters of ultrahigh temperature (UHT)–treated milk for the Philippine market which is considered the single largest destination for UHT milk with 8% of its exports going to the Philippines. Other dairy products being sold in the Philippines include shredded cheese and cream cheese. Meadow Fresh milk has been very well-received in the Philippines and enjoys a premium position in retail and trading. Filipinos and other customers look for the “Made in New Zealand” tag which is equated with high quality dairy products. A marketing arm of Goodman Fielder was established in Manila.
With these positive and encouraging developments, Ambassador Benavidez will continue making representations with the relevant officials and agencies in New Zealand and the Philippines to facilitate the matching of interests and needs crucial to mutually beneficial cooperation on trade, dairy farming and production.