New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards 2026 Winners Recognised for Innovation
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the winners of this year’s New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are leading the way in productivity, sustainability and profitability.
Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel has been re-elected chairman of DairyNZ.
Following the board elections and annual general meeting this month, the board met to follow standard process and elect the chair.
The DairyNZ board comprises five farmer-elected directors along with three board-appointed directors. Van der Poel was re-elected to the board for another three-year term this month while South Island farmer Cameron Henderson was elected to replace Colin Glass, who has retired.</p.
Van der Poel and his wife Sue live in Ngahinapouri and have farming interests in Waikato, Southland, Canterbury, and the US.
He has previously served on Fonterra’s board and was an inaugural director on the Fonterra Shareholders Fund and has won a number of industry awards including the AC Cameron Award, 2002 Nuffield Scholarship, Sharemilker of the Year and Dairy Exporter Primary Performer Award.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
The stockfood storage capacity of J Swap Stockfoods continues to grow in the South Island with the opening of a new store that boosts its capacity in Christchurch and work starting on another store in Southland.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.