WorkSafe is hitting the road this winter, with a national focus on helping the horticulture industry to meet its responsibilities on work health and safety.
This outreach includes associations and sub-groups connected with New Zealand Winegrowers, Horticulture New Zealand, and Rural Contractors New Zealand.
Between July and September 2025, WorkSafe teams will be making about 400 planned visits, mainly to check safety with vehicles and heavy machinery. The findings will be reported back later in the year.
“Owners and operators will be contacted in advance to book a time that suits for a look at what’s working well and any improvements to consider. Our focus is primarily on engagement, and we encourage sites to join in for a worthwhile indication of how they are measuring up,” says WorkSafe’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa.
The visits are part of WorkSafe’s priority focus on agriculture, which was New Zealand’s deadliest industry in 2024.