Food and Beverage Manufacturing NIAG

Home National Industry Advisory Groups Food and Beverage Manufacturing NIAG

The food and beverage manufacturing sector is vibrant and diverse, spanning the length and breadth of Aotearoa. These industries are crucial to the health and wellbeing of our country.

The food and beverage manufacturing sector is made up of:

Dairy Processing
Meat Processing
Retail Meat (Butchery)
Baking
Beverage Manufacturing
Food Manufacturing
Alcohol Manufacturing (excluding wine).

Food and Beverage NIAG’s priority areas:

Understanding the VE system – how does industry fit and connect?
Leadership Training for Team Leaders/Supervisors
Ageing workforce – transition of knowledge and retention of experience
Engagement with schools – attracting school leavers into industry
How to support Māori and Pacific workers to engage in formal training.

Employer Toolkit for Food and Beverage Sector

We’re proud to share the Employer Toolkit for the Food and Beverage Sector, developed as part of our Food and Beverage Workforce Development Plan.

Created in partnership with our Food and Beverage National Industry Advisory Group (NIAG), this toolkit helps employers confidently navigate Aotearoa New Zealand’s vocational education system. It brings together key information on qualifications, training pathways, funding support, and inclusive workforce development, all in one place.

Designed for industry leaders, managers, and business owners, the toolkit is a practical guide to building skilled, confident teams and strengthening workforce capability across the sector.