Nov 23, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
The annual NZFGC conference was held in Sydney at the beginning of November. With the theme of Shared Horizons, it was positive to have the highest number of retailers ever speaking on the programme. This was impacted at the last minute by the unfortunate demise of...
Oct 12, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
During the first major debate of the election campaign, the leaders of the Labour Party and the National Party were asked for their position on a sugar tax. Both rejected it, and this was reinforced by the Minister of Health in RNZ’s ‘Off the Shelf’ series, in...
Sep 19, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
We are now definitely in the thick of the election campaign where many policy announcements will be of interest to the food and grocery sector. At NZFGC we’re keeping a keen eye on these. With the polls continuing to be neck and neck it’s critical we are across all...
Aug 29, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
Exporting is an important part of the business of many NZFGC members whose brands we see daily on supermarket shelves. For some, exporting outweighs what they sell on our shores, while others are looking to break into new markets to open up growth opportunities beyond...
Jul 20, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
The food and grocery industry’s future is bright and full of opportunity – though, as always, there are challenges. Direction, focus, and shared horizons will help ensure the industry meets those challenges, makes the most of opportunities, and benefits from...
Jun 20, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
The company you work for has a significant impact on you – your health, safety and wellbeing, your earnings and career opportunities, your ability to have purpose and feel rewarded in what you do for a huge chunk of your time on this planet. June is a month where the...
Jun 15, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
We shouldn’t underestimate the impacts of wish-cycling and genuine misconceptions, both of which I think we’re all capable of doing with the best of intentions – I certainly know I am! I’ve always erred towards a generous view that my local council will do its best...
May 16, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with a group of passionate and impressive food and beverage manufacturers based in the Hutt Valley at an event hosted by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Patrick McKibbin, Chief Executive of the Chamber, who...
Apr 17, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
“Labour puts old-school refund scheme for bottles, cans and containers on ice” was the headline from a Stuff article reporting the Government’s decision to defer the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme as part of policy cuts to focus on cost of living and...
Mar 9, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
New Zealand has not seen anything quite like Cyclone Gabrielle. It came hot and hard on the heels of the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods and Cyclone Hale, and as such wreaked utter devastation on many parts of the North Island. Tragically, lives have been lost,...
Feb 22, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
If, as is likely, 2022 goes down as one of the more eventful years in the history of the Food & Grocery Council and the industry, then 2023 is looming as one of the most significant. After what has been three tough years of unexpected and mostly unwanted surprises...
Feb 10, 2023 | Raewyn Bleakley Comments
Almost everyone shops at a grocery store on a regular basis, so what is happening in the grocery industry in 2023 will be relevant to most Kiwis as consumers, as well as having significant impact on retailers and suppliers. The NZ Food and Grocery Council represents...
