| 31 Karen Phelps Investment lifts efficiencies, wellbeing South Pacific Meats is part of the AFFCO group which has operated in New Zealand since 1904. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Southland: South Pacific Meats Invercargill to page 32 With branches in Invercargill, Christchurch, Auckland North Shore & Manukau, Hamilton, Hawke’s Bay, and Nelson, we specialise in both temporary and permanent recruitment for the construction, manufacturing, and professional sectors. We provide a 24/7 service and pride ourselves on our personal touch. Once you’ve signed up with Advanced Personnel you are not just relegated to being a number on a piece of paper – we work for both job seekers and employers to ensure the most successful outcome. RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS SINCE 1987 0800 365 4322 There has been heavy investment made in the South Pacific Meats Awarua, Invercargill factory over recent years to improve efficiencies and worker wellbeing, says South Pacific Meats plant manager Kevin Hamilton. Livestock yards and processing and load out areas have been extended and a new salt shed has been built for treating calfskins and sheep pelts. A carton transfer automation system, which sees cartons moved on conveyors, sorted and palletised by robotics, has improved worker safety and removed the manual aspect of this job. Kevin says automation has removed pressure from workers making the job more enjoyable, which in turn helps South Pacific Meats to attract staff, particularly important when labour shortages have been an industry issue. Worker wellbeing has been a key topic in recent years and its prompted South Pacific Meats to focus on making progress around culture and worker engagement initiatives, says Kevin. “Historically health and safety has focused on preventing injuries. We are now changing that to also include overall wellbeing,” he says. For example recently South Pacific Meats put a number of workers through some wananga teaching to assist the application of knowledge regarding ahuatanga Maori (Maori tradition) according to tikanga Maori (Maori custom). It was based on te whare tapa wha; the four dimensions of Māori well being that include taha tinana (physical health), taha wairua (spiritual health), taha whānau (family health) and taha hinengaro (mental health). These wellbeing initiatives sit alongside longstanding support such as supplying staff with fruit twice a week. South Pacific Meats is part of the AFFCO group. AFFCO has operated in New Zealand since 1904 and over the nine North Island and two South Island plants processes and exports more than 150,000 tonnes of meat products and by products every year. The company exports to over 74 countries with a customer base, which includes leading food retail chains, supermarkets, restaurants and leather merchants. Clients include McDonalds and US supermarket chain Costco.
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