It's what we're here for - Responding to large scale events - FMG
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
March - May 2021
It’s what
we’re here for
Responding to large scale events
Is your life
worth 10
minutes?
Life & Health cover
considerations
Page 8
Raising our game
in the woolshed
Page 6
FMG’s 116th
AGM
Seeking 2 Member
elected Directors
Page 2
2020
Read this story on pages 4-5
FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021 1
Note from
Chris Black FMG’s 116th AGM
In August FMG will hold
its 116th AGM.
After almost 13 years I think the time
FMG’s Constitution and Director
is right for a change both from FMG’s
Member Election & Special Director
point of view and equally my own. It’s
Appointment Policy (the Policy)
been a career highlight to lead FMG for
requires a third of all Member
over a decade as part of the Executive
Directors retire by rotation at each
Leadership Team and to work closely
year’s AGM. This year Michael Ahie
with the Board.
and Geoff Copstick are due to retire
The Board has begun a process to identify by rotation. While Michael will be
and select a new Chief Executive over stepping down from the Board after 12
the next few months. Meanwhile, we will years of service, Geoff will be seeking
ensure it is business as usual in terms of re-election. Consequently, there are
the advice, service and support we pride two Director positions, with one being
ourselves on providing you. contested by a current Director.
The Policy sets out the criteria for
the evaluation of Member Director
On 16 March 2021 FMG candidates, including current
recognises its 116th Directors. The Board has not set any
anniversary as a Mutual. specific criteria per the Policy.
In 1905 the core purpose of FMG was Any Member nominations must
to provide ‘a better deal for rural New be made in accordance with the
Zealand’ relative to what else was on procedure set out in the FMG
offer in the way of insurance and advice Constitution and are subject to the
for farmers and growers. process outlined in the Policy, which
can be obtained by calling FMG’s
The same is true of our focus on the General Counsel Lisa Murray on
quality of the advice and insurance we 021 684 824 or emailing her at
offer today, albeit the Mutual’s reach lisa.murray@fmg.co.nz. Nominations
now extends to include thousands of are open until 29 April 2021.
businesses and individuals who support Chris and Sam Whitelock at Farmstrong’s Fieldays
and contribute to New Zealand’s rural
event 2019 At the 2021 AGM, we’ll provide an
sector as well. update on how we’re going as a
I hope 2021 has started well for you and Mutual. All members are invited to
An important growth milestone for your businesses and families, all Covid- attend and vote at the AGM, which
FMG—including our dedicated team— impacts aside. will be held at Trustpower Baypark
was achieved at the end of February Suites, 81 Truman Lane, Mount
when the number of clients who have put Kind regards,
Maunganui on Friday, 20 August 2021.
their trust and confidence in the Mutual Alternatively, Members can vote
exceeded 100,000 for the first time. This through the proxy form that will be
is double the number of clients insured sent with the Notice of Meeting. It
by FMG 10 years ago. should be noted that FMG is exploring
With FMG in good heart and growing, options in relation to on-line voting.
I have decided to step down as Chief If that option is available for the 2021
Chris Black AGM, that will be communicated
Executive after this year’s Annual General Chief Executive, FMG
Meeting in August. prior to the Notice of AGM.
We are delighted to provide the FMG Post to our clients three times a year. If you’d prefer to receive your copy via email or by post, please give us a call on 0800 366 466.
2 FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021
Helping make the
country good for you Good from scratch
Just like chef and FMG’s client Michael van de Plum Frangipane Puff Tart
Elzen, more and more of us are moving to We’re coming to the end of plum seas
on so here’s a recipe
the country. mme nds to use up any leftovers. You can
that Michael reco
e-fru it like nectarines,
easily swap out the plums for any ston
FMG has teamed up with Michael to share how the country peaches or even the first of the seas on’s appl es.
can be good for you. From growing your own ingredients to
make healthy meals to undertaking a new project, we want to
help you take advantage of the great opportunities that
come with rural life. Ingredients
2 sheets frozen puff pastry
A note from Michael 6 plums, de-stoned and halved
125g butter, softened
Most people know me as a chef, but I’m a 125g caster sugar
lifestyle block owner too. We moved out to our 3 eggs
farm in Muriwai with the dream of opening our
125g ground almonds
Good From Scratch Cookery School, and while
we absolutely love our slice of paradise, being 1 Tbsp plain flour
a lifestyle block owner comes with some steep 150ml balsamic vinegar
learning curves. 2 Tbsp brown sugar
I grew up on a chicken farm so it wasn’t entirely foreign to me, 150ml crème fraiche
but there have been a few updates in technology since then! Handful mint leaves
I’ve teamed up with FMG to share my journey, why we made the
move and what we’ve learned along the way.
Method
Obviously, food is a big part of my life, and a huge reason for Preheat the oven to 180C.
us moving out to the country. My Good From Scratch philosophy an egg wash. Brush
Beat one of the eggs with a fork to make
is all about creating healthy, tasty food from scratch—food of one of the shee ts of puff pastry. Cut a
this around the edge
is always better when you know exactly what goes into it. lay this on top of the egg
5cm ‘frame’ from the other sheet and
Our Cookery School is based on that philosophy—we take s toge ther and prick the center
washed sheet. Pinch the edge
people through the farm gardens to pick their produce, before a fork. Lay the past ry shee ts on a baking
of the pastry with
ad out half the plums
showing them how to create delicious meals with it in the tray lined with baking paper. Then spre
kitchen. Food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious! with the cut side facing up.
sugar, 2 eggs, almonds
I’m excited to partner with FMG and share more about my In a food processor, blitz the butter,
n this mix into the cent re of the pastry sheets.
philosophy, and tips and tricks for the kitchen. and flour. Spoo
and allow to cool.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes
vinegar and brown
In a small saucepan, add the balsamic
heat to abou t 3 Tbsp of thick liquid. Mix
sugar and reduce over
the other half of the
1 Tbsp through the crème fraiche. Add
ction . Spoon these over the
plums through the balsamic redu
crèm e fraic he and garn ish with mint leaves.
tart along with the
Scan the QR
code or head to
fmg.co.nz/lifestyle to
learn more and access
some of Michael’s
recipes.
FMG FMG
POSTPOST
| MARCH
| MARCH
2021 - MAY 2021 3
What we’re
here for
Responding when the unexpected happens.
NIWA describes New Zealand’s climate as ‘complex, variable and with dramatically The Drummonds lost the entire apple crop
different climate regions.’ At FMG we know this diversity allows for a wide variety of and half the golden kiwifruit crop. Luckily,
farming and growing practices. While it’s a big asset—weather is also the biggest risk their hops were located elsewhere.
farmers and growers face.
Andrew says he often tells others that
We’re geared up and resourced to support our clients impacted by if you can’t afford insurance, then that’s
‘larger scale events’. On average we see around 5 to 7 of these each really telling you that you need it.
year and we work very hard to provide our clients with the support
they need when an event hits—it’s what we’re here for, “There’s a lot of heartache
says Jonathan Parsons, FMG’s Event Response Recovery Manager. with farming when a weather
event hits. It’s not just
Last year, clients were impacted by five former builders, engineers, mechanics,
larger scale events totalling more than panel beaters, and agricultural and heavy
financial but mental too. The
$27 million in claims. These were the vehicle specialists. We have a volunteer staff, Julie and I do find it
Northland floods in July, the nationwide firefighter, a hobby Apiarist and Assessors hard to see all of the effort
storm in September, October’s Lake Ohau who hold Loss Adjusting diplomas. We’ve destroyed so quickly.”
fire, the November Napier floods, and the also got great local supplier contacts that
Motueka hailstorm in December. we can tap into quickly, many who are
also clients,” says Hazel.
“We’ve been bitten when we had no
First on the ground after an cover and financially it nearly destroyed
event hits December’s heart-breaking us. You need insurance just to ‘stay still’
“The people in our claims and assessing hailstorm in your business.
team are driven by helping other people, The severe hailstorm that hit Motueka on The Pines has been with FMG right from
and they’re very aware of the situations
Boxing Day last year was described by when it formed more than 115 years ago.
our clients may be in when they phone
orchardist Andrew Drummond as ‘heart- “We’ve got so much credit for the FMG
us,” says Assessor Manager, Hazel Bird.
breaking and financially devastating.’ team. We’ve had plenty of support over
FMG’s locally based teams also get on the years involving hail as well as floods
Andrew and his partner, Julie, are the fifth
the phone or in the car to check on their and general farm cover. After the hailstorm
clients. “Making sure our clients are generation to own and operate The Pines,
we got a call from our adviser, who we
safe and providing them with the right where they grow apples, green and gold
almost have a personal relationship
advice regarding their situation is our first kiwifruit and hops. Over their family’s
with. He totally understood, said leave
priority”. time on the property they’ve experienced
everything with him and that he’ll see us
many events.
The next step is deploying some of shortly. We know we’re in good hands.
FMG’s 19 mobile Assessors from around Andrew says the hailstorm last year was
“The focus now is getting next season’s
the country to an event. This is one of the biggest and most widespread that the crop the best that we can. We’re still
the advantages of being with a direct area had ever encountered. doing cover sprays, maintaining the
insurer—in most cases FMG is first on the “In the past, hailstorms have moved trees—jobs that will carry us through
ground after an event. to winter pruning. The insurance cover
through quickly and are quite localised,
FMG’s Assessors are skilled in assessing a but this was widespread and continued for means we have the funds to keep going”.
range of claims. “Our team is made up of 20 to 30 minutes”.
4 FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021
Meet our Assessors
before I say anything to them. I really try
and feel what they’re feeling. Have you heard
During my time at FMG I’ve seen clients about FMG
through the aftermath of earthquakes,
fires, floods and many, many storms. I’ve Connect?
experienced some of them myself. We
know that mother nature is fickle when it FMG Connect is another way
comes down to it. to manage your insurance
I was with FMG during the Canterbury
with us.
Robert Milne, earthquakes, based at our Christchurch
Senior Assessor FMG Connect allows you to view your
office. During the earthquake, amongst policies, lodge a range of claims and
“I’m an automotive and a marine others, I was in the building helping update your account details—any time
engineer by trade and I specialise in people out after the initial quake had from any device.
assessing claims related to agricultural stopped. As I walked home that day, I
vehicles, boats, and commercial and was able to help many people get out of We’ve been working hard enhancing
residential buildings. I was living on an buildings and passed out cards for them and making FMG Connect more useful
island in Pelorus Sound when I saw the to contact me if I could help in any way. to more clients. Over time you’ll see
role at FMG advertised and liked the look Some of these kind and generous people new features added to make managing
of it. That was 16 years ago and at the nominated me for a heroism award, your insurance as easy as possible.
time there were three of us—now we which was presented to me by the mayor
have a team of 19 mobile Assessors. of Christchurch.
What’s new in FMG Connect?
We’ve recently updated our claims
The most satisfying part of my role is I’m now based in Blenheim and really process for vehicles, so you can make
being the ‘person on the ground’ and enjoying it. The last event we had here a windscreen and vehicle accident
helping our clients after an event— was the December 26, hailstorm. The claim for more vehicle types. To make
getting their claim sorted and repairs hail was 6-7 inches deep. I saw damage an FMG Connect vehicle claim you’ll
underway as quickly as we can. After an to patios, roofs, sheds and gutters
need to have comprehensive cover for
event we get on the phone, and then we filled with hailstones. We want to get
farm, commercial or private vehicles.
prioritise getting out to see them. the properties fixed quickly, in fact we
Vehicle types now include:
bought up all of the Novalite roofing in
You’ve got to be empathetic in this role.
Motueka in one day!” - Car, van, ute - Trucks
I always put myself in our client’s shoes
- Motorhome - Horse trucks
- Caravan - Horse floats
I’ve been with FMG for five years and I We’ve also updated how you see
can say that every single year has been information relating to your agricultural
very different—there’s a huge number vehicles and are working on the ability
of stories I can tell. I recall 2016 was a to allow you to adjust sum insured,
big year with the Kaikoura earthquake excess and registered address for more
and the Edgecombe flooding. Over 2016 agricultural vehicles types.
and 2017 I counted that I was away from
home for 19 weeks—my family have got
used to it. I enjoy going to the larger “The online
scale events and helping our clients, and “It’s great to
Tim Kelly, if I can find a local Lonestar restaurant
service is
finally be able
Assessor or an Irish pub, then I’m happy.
awesome!
to access all
Had no idea!
“Before I joined FMG I knew that Super quick my policy
There have been some challenging times
somehow I wanted to combine my and super details online.”
such as, during the Edgecombe flood an
building and aluminium joinery skills efficient.” - Yvona
elderly client whose wife had recently
with the rural sector. I’d spent a bit of
passed-away lost all his personal effects - Lisa
time on-farm and enjoyed it, which is
and treasured memories. He cried on my
why the role with FMG is great for me.
shoulder for 15 minutes.
I also enjoy meeting and looking after Other new features include making
people—that’s a big part of it. I’m proud that FMG is also first on the it easier for you to see if you can
scene when an event happens. A lot of manage a policy, or make a type of
Whangarei has always been a city with
the feedback I hear from clients is that claim through FMG Connect. The Policy
a rural history, which largely supports
by the time FMG are on to repairs, some Dashboard will now include links to
the farmers and growers around it. My
other properties haven’t even been Edit Item, or Make a Claim, on all
family and I own a lifestyle block locally
visited by an assessor.
with a few sheep, our dog and the cats. relevant policies.
FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021 5
Find out what works for you: check out www.farmstrong.co.nz
Raising our game in the woolshed
to the way we do things. It helped my staff
appreciate that they do need to look after
themselves and maintain their bodies
while they are working. If you can get your
staff on board with Tahi Ngātahi, then the
whole business performs better.”
Sir David Fagan who won the Golden
Shears 16 times, set 10 world records and
shore for 35 years, says: “It’s amazing
what you can get out of your body if you
fuel it properly, eat properly and put the
right fluids in. The injury side of shearing
can be huge. I think every shearer’s had
a bad back. That’s why preventative
maintenance, stretches and conditioning
are important. You’ve got to understand
your body. You can hammer it, but you still
come through fit at the end of the day.”
Mark Barrowcliffe has noticed a marked
change in attitudes in the industry. “When
I started, this industry used to be so
competitive that if the person working
next to you ‘fell over’, other people acted
as if they’d won something. But nowadays
if people see someone struggling, the
Farmstrong is partnering repair your body crew passes that on to us, so we can do
with wool harvesting injury and mind. That’s why we welcome the something about it.”
prevention initiative Tahi opportunity to work with Farmstrong to
make sure the shearers we’ve got stay fit “I think Farmstrong’s awesome and we
Ngātahi to help shearers encounter it daily. There’s not a farmer that
and healthy.”
and wool handlers look after doesn’t know about it. I’ve really noticed
themselves in the shed. Keeping workers injury-free is a big issue. the conversations out there are changing
The wool producing sector has been and that farmers are starting to talk
Declining sheep numbers and Covid-19 losing up to 9,300 working days every about what they need to do to look after
border restrictions have combined to year to injury. Tahi Ngātahi aims to reduce
create a shortage of local shearers. themselves as well. That’s a definite shift.”
common injuries by 30% and build a more
This means the pressures and demands skilled workforce. It’s part of a new $1.8m “The shearing industry contributes around
on those working in the physically- pilot training programme, Kaiaka, which $800 million annually to New Zealand,
demanding job are likely to be higher than will create 150 new shearing jobs and and there are exciting opportunities for
ever, says Mark Barrowcliffe, Head of the upskill 120 existing shearers. growth, but any industry’s only as good as
NZ Shearing Contractors’ Association. the people who work in it. That’s why our
To date, over 1,000 trainees and shearing team leaders don’t just talk about shearing
It takes two years to become contractors have signed up to the any more, they’re more aware of the ‘top
a trained shearer, so we can’t Tahi Ngātahi online training platform, paddock’ stuff, the mental side of things,
which uses video clips to pass on skills
just fill in the current labour and safety tips for running a safe and
and are keen to help others if they can.
shortages overnight. This year’s Farmstrong’s definitely on our agenda.”
productive wool harvest.
going to be tough. Once you “Our crews can visit more than 50 farmers
Marlborough shearing contractor Sarah
start to overload any work sector in any year. Over the years, we get to
Higgins says: “The physical and mental
know farmers very well and can soon
injuries can happen. challenge of shearing is exactly like a
tell if they’re struggling. My message to
sport and you have to treat your body like
“Over the course of a day, a shearer them is talk about it and get help. After
any athlete would. Keeping on top of your
will burn through the same amount all, everyone has problems. Talking about
stretching and flexibility can really help
of kilojoules as someone running a them isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of
you stay in condition.”
marathon. For a person to cope with that, strength. It’s not just shearers who need to
it’s all about how well you prepare and “Tahi Ngātahi has made a big difference stay in good nick. The farmer does too.”.
6 FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021
CLIENT FOCUS Images and story credit: Stuff Ltd
The business of
glamping
When you think ‘lifestyle block’, you might
imagine vegetable gardens, an orchard, and a
couple of sheep to keep the grass down. What
might not immediately come to mind is glamping.
For Emily and Joe Wilson, setting “We wanted to create something really
Showcasing
unique,” says Emily. “Everything is custom
up a boutique accommodation
made, sometimes out of bizarre materials.
business was one of the main
reasons they wanted to buy a
We’re both really creative people and Joe
has done a lot of the building himself, so
‘rural outlooks’
lifestyle block. having that outlet was really fun. Life is on TVNZ
hectic with two pre-schoolers, but we’ve
“I was raised on a farm and Joe has a lot of become very good at multi-tasking and Once again, One News weather
rural connections too, so being rural-based getting lots of work done during naptime!” presenter Renee Wright and team
has always been our dream,” says Emily. continue the FMG rural weather
With so many moving parts on their round up on Sunday nights this
“When we started a family, we wanted to
property, it was important that the year.
give our kids that experience too.
Wilsons found an insurer that ‘got’ them.
“But running our own glamping business This year we’ll be doing something
has also been a major motivator. Before Sorting out insurance can be a little different and highlighting
daunting, says Emily. and crediting some of our clients’
we purchased our land, glamping wasn’t
‘rural outlooks’ behind the
very popular. Three-and-a-half years later “FMG are different. They’re New weather forecast graphics.
we have built two glamping sites and both Zealand-based and work with farmers
are booked out almost year-round.” and lifestylers every day so they really Wilderness Lodge based on the
understand our niche. They get to know West Coast of the South Island
Located 15 minutes out of Taupo, Te Tuhi featured last year.
you then create a policy to fit, rather than
Hut and Dome is an off-the-beaten-track
squeezing you into the policies they offer The FMG rural weather round up
boutique holiday destination that’s home
like other insurance companies do. airs in the first commercial break
to two unique glamping sites: the Hut and
“FMG created a policy for us that’s really within Country Calendar. We’ve
the Dome. Each is hidden away in their
comprehensive. We have cover for our been teaming up with TVNZ since
own private valley and enjoys picturesque
house, farm buildings, the Dome and Hut, 2015 to bring over 800,000 New
views across rolling farmland, native bush
livestock getting out and causing damage, Zealanders the weather. Each
and Lake Taupo. forecast is peppered with helpful
having people on our property… FMG
For the Wilsons, the journey has very has never batted an eyelid with whatever on-farm advice, rural highlights or
much been a labour of love—particularly we’ve thrown at them. We’ve simply a piece of news we think is worth
because they’ve had to fit in their work worked together to create a policy that listening to.
around their two young children. gives us the cover that we need.”
FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021 7
You’re
Who will look after you and your family While ACC provides excellent support,
if you have an accident, become ill or it does have its limits. It’s worth thinking
worth 10
are disabled? about the on-going costs and impacts
Do you have enough savings to provide an of an injury such as medical and
minutes
income for your family, that will allow you rehabilitation costs.
to maintain your current lifestyle?
What would your bank say if
While it can be difficult to think about you couldn’t meet your financial
Larina Harris is a qualified FMG Life how your family will be supported, not commitments?
& Health Adviser based in Gore. knowing what your insurance options are, While we all have a different risk-appetite
She’s spoken with many people in and therefore not making decisions to and debt levels, most of us will have
her community who are proactive in prepare for the future can be even harder. some degree of debt like mortgages,
managing their farm and business If you, or your partner become ill,
vehicle loans, credit cards and even
risks, but often put their personal injured, or disabled will you need to
funeral expenses.
cover on the back-burner. employ extra labour? Whether you’re an employee, a family in
Thinking about how your family or We’ve found it’s not always the accident, business together, or one of a number of
business would carry on without you but the recovery that can be most difficult equity partners, you’ll have commitments
isn’t easy. Life & Health is a big topic and to cope with. Unfortunately, rehabilitation with your bank. Also, your employees
sometimes we need help to know where can take months and if you’re out of and customers, as well as creditors,
to start says Larina. action, who will step in to perform the are relying on you to ensure that your
tasks you normally would? business can continue profitably even if
“I recommend that you start by taking
you physically can’t.
10 minutes to think about the following Do they have the skills to do the job, and
three questions. These are some of the would they fit straight into the business? It’s worth taking time to figure out
questions we ask people to understand What extra stress will this put on you, how you’d meet those commitments if
their Life & Health cover needs.” your business and your family? something was to go wrong.
Visit our website to read real life stories of when If you think your answers to any of these questions aren’t going to meet the needs
Life & Health cover has helped our clients - of your family or your business, now might be a good time to get some advice. Give
fmg.co.nz/life-and-health-stories us a call on 0800 366 466 to speak with one of our qualified Life & Health Advisers.
Calendar
8 April 8–10 April 9–10 April 13 April
Dairy Women’s New Zealand Shearing Equestrian Sports Dairy Women’s
Network Conference Championships New Zealand Final Network Conference
Taupo Te Kuiti Masterton Ashburton
15 April 26 April–2 May 17–23 May 18–20 May
New Zealand New Zealand
Dairy Women’s Sheep Dog Trial Deer Industry
Sheep Dog Trial
Network Conference South Island and New Zealand Conference
North Island Championships
Queenstown Championships Invercargill
Masterton
Gore
Note: Government guidelines will be followed in relation any event changes.
FMG Connect - Visit our website
our online service www.fmg.co.nz
Call us on www.fmg.co.nz/connect
0800 366 466 Write to us at
Email us at PO Box 1943
FarmersMutualGroup contact@fmg.co.nz Palmerston North 4440
8 FMG POST | MARCH - MAY 2021
You can also read
