NEWS
LADYBUGS
A PAIN
6 MAY 2018
NEWS
SNIPS
Delicious and
unique flavours of
Solomon Islands
chocolate will
be showcased
at SolChoc
(Solomon
Islands Cocoa
and Chocolate
Festival), a
new outlet for
the country’s
burgeoning
industry
NZX wants to
capture New
Zealand’s “natural
advantage” in the
primary sector
with a new index
tracking listed
industry players,
and build on the
early success
of its dairy
derivatives market
Restaurant
Brands New
Zealand has
increased its
annual profit by
37%, after the
fast-food operator
lifted earnings in
its local market
and benefited
from its expanded
business through
Australia and
Hawaii
Beef + Lamb
New Zealand are
looking for the
ultimate steak
connoisseur to
help determine
New Zealand’s
tastiest steak,
with the winner
to be part of the
judging panel for
the 2018 PGG
Wrightson Steak
of Origin Grand
Final competition
at Mystery Creek
next month.
Infestations of Harlequin Ladybirds in the
Gisborne district could pose a threat to
the horiticulture and viticulture industries.
The Ministry for Primary Industries says
the ladybirds, originally from Asia and
first reported in 2016, have been found
in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki…
and some have just shown up in Te
Karaka and Matokitoki Valley. The insects
are a potential threat to the horticulture
industry where they feed on pip fruit,
causing blemishes on the fruit. They
are known to cluster within bunches of
grapes before harvest, resulting in tainted
juice, and also pose a nuisance to humans,
where they swarm in buildings and
houses. They can bite and cause allergic
rhinoconjunctivitis, they eat other insect
species, compete for food resources and
swarm in beehives over winter. Harlequin
Ladybirds can be hard to distinguish, with
M-shaped markings between the head
and abdomen, and two small bumps
on the rear of the back. The larvae and
pupae have a spikier skin than common
spotted ladybirds. MPI says if anyone
finds a bug, take a picture and contact its
free 24-hour pest and disease hotline on
0800 809 966.
NEW FORKLIFT
ASSOCIATION FORMED
Members of the Forklift Manufacturers
and Distributors Association
(NZFMDA) have formed a new
organisation that will broaden representation
of the sector within New
Zealand. Association president Rhys
Walker says with the new age of
technology and increased demand
on businesses to be compliant and
fulfil the duties related to the supply
of plant and equipment, it is time for
a national association to represent
and advocate for the forklift industry.
“We are very excited to announce
the establishment of the New
Zealand Forklift Industry Association
(NZFIA), a peak industry body for the
forklift sector,” he says. The new
association held an open meeting
last month to present a new way forward,
and to understand the needs
of the industry. “We needed to hear
the views of people and companies
operating within the industry, which
has enabled the organisation to
plan and prioritise.” Other subjects
for discussion included access to
national and international industry
events, industry specific insurance,
health and safety systems, industry
representation to interact with
government agencies, promotion
of industry careers, products and
services.
IN BRIEF
Raglan Coconut Yoghurt co-founder
Latesha Randall will speak at the
inaugural Women of Waikato event
on May 17 that aims to help create
and foster longterm relationships and
celebrate inspirational Waikato women
Gaggan in Bangkok has retained the
no.1 spot in the 2018 Asia’s 50 Best
Restaurants for the 4th consecutive
year, as well as the best restaurant in
Thailand prize.