Latest news with #PaulClark
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building Resilience In The Food And Fibre Sector
Press Release – Westpac New Zealand The report recommends farmers increasingly adopt smart digital technologies and processes that provide greater visibility along the value chain and deliver on-farm efficiency improvements. Proofing against shocks While developments in US tariff policy have sowed concern among NZ exporters, a new report from Westpac NZ and MyFarm Investments suggests there's opportunity for the country's food and fibre sector to proof against this shock. The report – Proofing against shocks – increasing the resilience of the food and fibre sector – says diversification and cost efficiencies will be key for the sector in offsetting the threats posed by higher US tariffs. The report's co-author, Westpac Industry Economist Paul Clark, says while there is a risk that higher US tariffs could dampen export prices for several of New Zealand's key agricultural products, a proactive approach by farmers will go a long way to mitigating the impact. 'Businesses involved in export markets should be looking to diversify into markets that deliver consistency of demand,' Mr Clark says. 'While these may not deliver a higher price immediately, looking to the medium term we think they should provide superior returns.' 'Cost is something else the sector should be looking at. Again, rather than taking a short-term view, farmers should be looking at how they can minimise production costs over the long-term and improve their resilience. All the better if that can be accompanied by a drop in emissions per unit of production.' The report recommends farmers increasingly adopt smart digital technologies and processes that provide greater visibility along the value chain and deliver on-farm efficiency improvements. Mr Clark says: 'We believe the future of farming in New Zealand will see greater uptake of sensors, drones and robots, along with greater use of artificial intelligence, data analytics and the Internet of Things.' However, Mr Clark points out that the level of investment required for large-scale technology uptake could prove prohibitive, especially for the many small farmers that operate within the sector. 'In the future, it's likely that this investment requirement will mean that food and fibre sector production is dominated by bigger enterprises with the necessary scale and strong balance sheets.'
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Building Resilience In The Food And Fibre Sector
Proofing against shocks While developments in US tariff policy have sowed concern among NZ exporters, a new report from Westpac NZ and MyFarm Investments suggests there's opportunity for the country's food and fibre sector to proof against this shock. The report – Proofing against shocks – increasing the resilience of the food and fibre sector – says diversification and cost efficiencies will be key for the sector in offsetting the threats posed by higher US tariffs. The report's co-author, Westpac Industry Economist Paul Clark, says while there is a risk that higher US tariffs could dampen export prices for several of New Zealand's key agricultural products, a proactive approach by farmers will go a long way to mitigating the impact. 'Businesses involved in export markets should be looking to diversify into markets that deliver consistency of demand,' Mr Clark says. 'While these may not deliver a higher price immediately, looking to the medium term we think they should provide superior returns.' 'Cost is something else the sector should be looking at. Again, rather than taking a short-term view, farmers should be looking at how they can minimise production costs over the long-term and improve their resilience. All the better if that can be accompanied by a drop in emissions per unit of production.' The report recommends farmers increasingly adopt smart digital technologies and processes that provide greater visibility along the value chain and deliver on-farm efficiency improvements. Mr Clark says: 'We believe the future of farming in New Zealand will see greater uptake of sensors, drones and robots, along with greater use of artificial intelligence, data analytics and the Internet of Things.' However, Mr Clark points out that the level of investment required for large-scale technology uptake could prove prohibitive, especially for the many small farmers that operate within the sector. 'In the future, it's likely that this investment requirement will mean that food and fibre sector production is dominated by bigger enterprises with the necessary scale and strong balance sheets.'
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Daily Record
Police Scotland £18m compensation payout revealed in new report
Police Scotland have paid out millions of pounds in compensation since 2019 to settle legal actions brought by both the public and their own officers. Cash strapped Police Scotland has forked out more than £18 million in compensation payments in the last six years according to shock new figures. Recipients include Rangers administrators David Whitehouse and Paul Clark and former firearms officer Rhona Malone. Details of the eye watering payouts, released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information (FOI) have prompted a furious reaction. Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said 'These are significant sums of money at a time when frontline policing is under so much pressure. 'The SNP must work with Police Scotland to reduce this bill and get this money back into frontline policing where it belongs by addressing the underlying issues responsible for the claims.' Last year - 2024/2025 - Police Scotland paid out more than £2million in damages including £816,429 to police officers and civilian staff and a further £1million plus in vehicle accident claims by the public. The force also reached an undisclosed settlement in March with the family of Sheku Bayoh - who died while being restrained by police officers in Kirkcaldy in 2015. However it's not known if that sum is included in the latest figures. In the last six financial years, since 2019/2020, a total of £18,030,675 has been paid in compensation by Police Scotland. It includes £8.8 million for employer liability and employment tribunal £5.6 million for motoring claims and £3.4 million in public liability claims. The force have paid compensation to members of the public whose property is damaged during police operations, including front doors. Compensation is also paid for accidents involving police cars, wrongful arrest, and staff discrimination cases which end up in employment tribunals. No details were given of the individual compensation claims or of the successful claimants in the FOI response. However Police Scotland has been the subject of several long running and costly legal actions since 2019. In November 2020 the force agreed to pay almost £400,000 to two ex-administrators of Rangers FC, after they were arrested during a failed fraud investigation. David Whitehouse was given £75,000 in damages and £235,000 in legal costs. His colleague Paul Clark received up to £75,000 in damages along with a contribution to his legal costs. In May 2022, former firearms officer Rhona Malone, 43, was awarded £948,000 in damages by an employment tribunal who found she had been the victim of sexism and discrimination. Police Scotland had to pay £118,000 towards her legal costs. Police Scotland have paid the family of tragic Lamara Bell more than £1million in compensation since 2021. Lamara, 25, and partner John Yuill, 28, died in July 2015 after their car careered down an embankment on the M8 near Stirling. Despite a call being made to police, it took three days for the force to respond. David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation said: "The vast majority of those claims will be from our members. "The question I would have is what lessons are Police Scotland learning from the claims they are having to pay out ."What measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence? "When we go to the force with cases early they don't fix them quick enough. "Which ends up in bigger claims." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The massive compensation payouts come at a time when Police Scotland has had to cut costs by about £200 million. They have also announced plans to close 29 stations across Scotland, to raise funds to plug a budget black hole. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: "Ministers who are responsible for underfunding our police and the broken complaints system need to get to the bottom of why the number of legitimate claims and payouts are so high and address the root causes.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP added: "Every pound spent on compensation is a pound not going towards community policing, tackling crime, or supporting officers on the frontline." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Compensation payments are dealt with on a case-by-case basis with a view to securing best value for the public purse." The Scottish Government commented: "Decisions on compensation payments are for Police Scotland. "We have passed legislation this year to drive improvements to the police complaints system."
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Costco butter: Wholesaler introduces purchase limits of 30 blocks but still sells out
Pak'nSave Westgate, just under 1.5km around the corner from Costco, was today selling the Pams Pure Butter 500g block for $8.29, or $1.66 per 100g, and the Anchor 500g was $9.99, or $2 per 100g. Woolworths Westgate, just a kilometre away from Costco, was today pricing its store-brand Woolworths Butter 500g at $8.49, or $1.70 per 100g, and Anchor 500g was $9.90, or $1.98 per 100g. It was no wonder there were reports of Costco's salted and unsalted varieties running out as shoppers took home trolley-loads of butter. Loyal customers have shared photographs from inside the store this week, showing lines of people waiting to get their hands on the cheap produce. Several customers have spoken of their disappointment after travelling some distance to the store specifically for the butter, only to find stocks had sold out. And today, photographs were posted on the store's unofficial Facebook page of notices inside the shop about purchase limits. 'Limit 30 blocks of butter per membership (i.e. per household),' the store's notices said. However, it seems the restrictions were not enough to keep enough stock on the shelves this morning. One Costco customer reported the store had run out of salted and unsalted butter at 10.24am, less than half an hour after opening time. Westpac economist Paul Clark has told the Herald that retail prices for butter generally moved in line with export prices. 'Given that, it is reasonable to suggest that, with Global Dairy Trade auction prices for butter having reached new highs, combined with a generally weaker New Zealand dollar … should see retail prices ratchet higher in coming months. 'It is also important to note that retail price adjustments do tend to lag as inventories decline.' At the latest Global Dairy Trade auction last month, the price of butter rose 1.5% to an average of US$7679/MT (metric tonne). That compares to an average price of US$6815 ($11,546) on January 7.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A46: Tributes to motorcyclist who died in Old Sodbury crash
Tributes have been paid to a "kind" and "loyal" motorcyclist who died in a three-vehicle crash last Clark, 64, died in the collision on the A46 in Old Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, on 7 May at about 13:00 services provided medical attention to Paul but he was pronounced dead at the from Mangotsfield and known as "Clarky" to his friends and family, was also described as a "friend to many". Avon and Somerset Police said his family are being offered specialist support from a family liaison tribute to Paul from his friends and family read: "He had a passion for cars and motorbikes and was a member of many different clubs, including the Jaguar Club and Ford Consul Club. He was a truly social man."He loved riding his motorbike, touring around Europe and local places."He was a brilliant handyman and would do his best to help anyone who asked, from building structures to fixing anything."He also loved a challenge, such as running many marathons including the London Marathon, attempting the Three Peaks Challenge and many more."He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him."
