22 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Hugh de Lacy Broad spectrum of job types on offer Aaron Karaha, Tūaropaki Trust Dairy Manager. Tūaropaki Trust - Miraka With interests in farming, energy, engineering, horticulture, dairy processing, nursery production and plant propagation, the Tūaropaki Trust lists employment opportunities across a broad spectrum of job types. One of the major challenges to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic for the different enterprises 30km northwest of Taupō, however, has been keeping up with the numbers of employees needed. The Trust’s rural operations rely on additional fixed term employees during spring to manage workload through calving and lambing. Some of these fixed term workers may have the opportunity to progress to full time positions, says Trust Rural Operations General Manager Joan Barendsen. “Our programme is designed to build competency and develop on-the-job skills through targeted training,” she says. Employees can expect regular training opportunities as developing a pool of talented staff with farmmanagement potential is a core kaupapafor the Trust’s rural operations. Gourmet Mokai Limited (GML), the 12 hectare greenhouse business on Trust land growing tomatoes and capsicums for export and domestic supply, also often has a number of seasonal and permanent positions available – as many horticultural enterprises have over the last two years. Roelf Schreuder, GML’s Production Director,estimates it could have done with an extra 20 workers during the 2022 winter. While GML can sit tight on reduced production and bring retired areas back into service once staff are available, demand for its produce has remained high – something it could have taken more advantage of, even though supply chain issues also resulted in higher production costs. Schreuder says management instituted a number of financial incentives to maintain staff morale and offset increased fuel prices for workers. The business is harvesting year round and therefore a range of positions are available in picking and packing fruit and for crop maintenance, says Schreuder. Māori owned, low-carbon dairy processing business, Miraka, which uses geothermal energy from Tuaropaki Power Company, has also faced recruitment challenges like other employers in the district. CEO, Karl Gradon says aside from a widespread shortage of qualified, experienced people – another challenge is the availability of accommodation. “There is a shortage of rental accommodation available in Taupō. This is a contributing factor when you’re trying to attract out of town talent who cannot find anywhere to live.” Wairakei-based MB Century, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust has demonstrated success in all aspects of hydro and geothermal power generation development, maintenance and operations for over 70 years. With a base in New Zealand as well as growing expertise in the geothermal sector in the Philippines and Indonesia, MB Century’s employment opportunities are many, with a range of positions available in the engineering, mechanical fitting, welding and fabrication and reservoir services areas. MB Century CEO Greg Thompson says the company can take a project from start to finish in terms of design, through engineering and construction, all the way to operations and maintance, and are always interested in speaking with engineers, mechanical fitters, welders and other individuals with an interest in sustainable and renewable energy. The number of work opportunities and the chance to gain skills and experience in different sectors make employment at the Trust varied and interesting, says acting Tūaropaki Trust Chief Executive Officer Gerard Archbold. “Once you get a foot in the door,” he says, “and prove you fit in with the Trust’s philosophy and way of doing things, there are chances for personal development within a business unit, but also across the group of companies. We’ve had staff here at the Trust head office in the past who now work for Miraka or have moved into a role at our subsidiary MB Century.” “The chance to gain skills and experience in different fields makes the Trust an attractive employer for job seekers to keep an eye on, whether they are keen on outdoor roles in farming and horticulture, hands-on engineering or design, or the positions that come up in the various offices in technical support, management and accounting.” “On top of this you get to live in Tāupo, voted New Zealand’s most beautiful large town in 2022.” Note: story differs from the printed version which had some minor errors.
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