Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
A former chief executive of Australian dairy processor National Foods and Waikato dairy farmer Ashley Waugh has been elected to the Fonterra Board of Directors.
Waugh was a critic of Fonterra's performance during the election lead up and questioned why its payout was never substantially ahead of other milk processors.
Fonterra board chairman John Wilson and Nicola Shadbolt were incumbent directors who retained their seats, says returning officer Warwick Lampp, of electionz.com. Blue Read lost his seat and Greg Maughan and Murray Beach were unsuccessful.
Ashley Waugh lives and farms at Pokuru, near Te Awamutu. He is an experienced company director and dairy company executive, having previously worked for the New Zealand Dairy Board in a number of roles since 1991, and latterly as CEO of National Foods in Australia. Ashley is currently chairman of Moa Group Ltd, and a director of Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Ltd and The Heat Group Ltd (Australia).
Shareholders David Gasquoine and Stephen Silcock were elected unopposed as members of the Directors' Remuneration Committee.
In the Shareholders' Council elections, the following Shareholders' councillors were elected:
Ward 14 – Eastern Bay of Plenty Wilson James
Ward 17 – Northern Taranaki Kevin Turnbull
Ward 23 – Hawke's Bay Andrew Hardie
Ward 26 – Tasman/Marlborough Sue Brown
Andrew Hardie and Sue Brown are new shareholders' councillors.
In the eight other Shareholders' Council wards where elections were due, nominees were elected unopposed. The councillors in those wards are:
Ward 2 -Central Northland Penny Smart
Ward 5 - Hauraki / Coromandel Julie Pirie
Ward 8 - Matamata Grant Wills
Ward 11 - Te Awamutu Kevin Ferris
Ward 20 - Egmont Plains Rob Poole
Ward 29 - Ashburton Charles Whitehead
Ward 32 - Otago Ad Bekkers
Ward 35 - Western Southland Vaughan Templeton
All successful candidates will take office at the close of the annual meeting on Wednesday, November 25, 2015.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.