Women make up about 35 percent of the seed and grain sectors. File photo. Photo: 123RF
The country's seed and grain sectors are hoping to empower the wāhine who make up about a third of its workforce.
Industry group Seed and Grain New Zealand hosted about 130 women in Ōtautahi on Wednesday for the Women in Seed conference
The group represented a range of companies involved in the production and trade of seed and grain, research and development, support services like testing and seed broking.
Chief executive Sarah Clark said seed and grain were significant contributors to the economy, earning about $345 million in exports each year.
She said women played a key role in these sectors that underpinned the success of multi-billion dollar primary industries.
"Women in the primary industries have been at the core of it for many, many years, even if the the record books don't show that," she said.
Statistics shared by Minister for Women Nicola Grigg at the event showed women made up about 35 percent of the sectors, Clark said.
"[We're] still reasonably male-dominated, however I looked at the attendee list at our event today and we've got women in logistics, finance, management, agronomists and at all levels of of the particular specialty.
"So definitely, women are incredibly important to our industry and we want to encourage them. We need to keep that expertise and knowledge in the industry."
Seed and Grain New Zealand chief executive Sarah Clark Photo: SUPPLIED/SEED AND GRAIN NEW ZEALAND
Clark said events like Women in Seed were about encouraging women in the sector to know they have "a really important part to play".
"They're hopefully leaving the event feeling really refreshed and inspired to continue the work that they do and even progress their career, perhaps into some leadership roles," she said.
"Actually, that was another thing that the Minister [Grigg] was encouraging was more women to get into leadership roles."
Clark said the association - formerly known as the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association - had hit a significant milestone itself.
"This is the first time we've had a woman as a president, so Charlotte Connoley is the president of Seed and Grain New Zealand, and concurrently whilst having a woman [chief executive], so I guess this is a first for the industry.
"So it's an exciting time to be in primary industries."
Clark said there were "exciting trade opportunities" for seed and grain in general, even in light of global headwinds.
The group will hold its annual conference in Christchurch in August.
StatsNZ figures showed seed exports earned $281 million in 2023 up 27 percent on 2022.
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