| 45 T T Richard Loader Big player in community Last year, Ovation New Zealand engaged in the Trees for Survival programme, providing funding for one of the schools in the Gisborne region to essentially become a nursery for native trees. Hawke’s Bay: Ovation NZ - Gisborne “The Gisborne region has gone through tough years in recent times, particularly with weather events, and Ovation has been there to support our farmer suppliers through their recovery.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of sheep meat per year, plus associated by-products including offals, pelts, rendering, pet food and casings, Ovation New Zealand’s Gisborne plant is one of the largest employers in the area with a year-round workforce of 175 staff, and a further 150-plus employed on a seasonal basis. Ovation operates three sites across the North Island, including Gisborne, Feilding and Te Kuiti Meat Processors. The Gisborne plant has been operating since 1998, with its catchment area encompassing northern Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, and East Cape. “The Gisborne region has gone through tough years in recent times, particularly with weather events, and Ovation has been there to support our farmer suppliers through their recovery,” says general manager Alastair Bayliss. “In February of 2023, access to farms was severely impacted following Cyclone Gabrielle, and many farmers also lost the ability to control stock because their farm infrastructure was compromised. Ovation was also affected in that the plant didn’t have water for several weeks and we weren’t able to process livestock.” Alastair says it was important Ovation’s staff were retained and paid during that challenging period. While that decision was based on the needs of his staff, it also ensured that when farmers could get stock off their properties, Ovation was able to respond with processing capacity. “By Easter we received an allocation of water back that enabled us to operate on a restricted basis, until we got our full allocation again.” Alastair says one of the cornerstones of Ovation’s success has been its highly skilled workforce and their loyal, committed culture. “The core of our workforce is predominantly from that original team who started with the business over 20 years ago. We’re highly reliant upon them to pass on their skills and knowledge, and they do it well. If you walk through that plant, the vast majority of them have smiles on their faces and engage at all levels. It’s a friendly plant, and I think some of that has to do with the region itself.” Last year, Ovation New Zealand engaged in the Trees for Survival programme, providing funding for one of the schools in the Gisborne region to essentially become a nursery for native trees. Trees for Survival Charitable Trust teaches school students how to deal with climate change by planting native plants across New Zealand to protect erosion-prone land. Every student who participates in the Trees for Survival’s environmental education school programme learns how to grow native plant species from seedlings, care for these and take part in a planting day alongside landowners, partners, teachers and their peers to plant the trees they nurtured “Our farmer suppliers will have the opportunity to be selected through a draw to have those trees planted on their land. It’s all about sustainability, ensuring the right tree is in the right place, and erosion control. “Our staff also become involved in the project, helping with seedling planting at the school, and they will also help when the trees are planted on properties next winter. It’s important for our people to get alongside the kids and the community as the project progresses.” Linehaul Bulk Freight New Zealand Freight Distribution Network Servicing all North Island Main Centre Daily Managed Warehousing 511 Orchard Rd, Hastings | 06 873 0670 www.emmersontransport.co.nz | despatch@emmersontransport.co.nz Emmerson Transport Limited established in 1977 PROUD SERVICE PROVIDER TO HAWK GROUP YOUR TRUSTED SERVICE PARTNER PR VIDER TO OVATION NZ LIMITED Ovation NZ Ltd Proudly supplying quality corrugated packaging to ojifs.com Packaging Central | +64 6 367 6800 | casectrl@ojifs.com SE Systems is your registered Gisborne electrical company that provides qualityworkmanship and expertise. With our broad knowledge and flexibilitywe can service all of your domestic electrical needs, fromsimple repairs and upgrades to full renovations, rebuilds, newhouses andmuchmore. Our projectmanagement, safety and budget systems arewhat allowus todeliver an exceptional finish to any project. 06 868 4548 www.sesystems.co.nz 8 Tupaea Street, Gisborne Your friendly Gisborne SPARKIES LOCAL VALUE LOCAL SUPPORT LOCAL FLAVOUR
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