Thursday, 11 April 2019 11:49

Not happy with Westland

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Westland Milk's decision to sell to Chinese company Yili may get the nod of farmer shareholders but politicians aren’t happy.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, the West Coast-Tasman MP, says the impending sale is “personally of concern for me coming from the West Coast”.

NZ First MP Mark Patterson expresses similar sentiment: “Let’s hope Westland Milk shareholders think long and hard before selling the family silver”.

NZ First was highly critical of the sale of agribusinesses to Chinese interests before the election. However, the party has toned down its criticism since stepping into coalition Government with Labour and the Greens.

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Buttery prize

Buttery prize

OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having the last laugh when it comes to cashing in on NZ grass-fed butter.

Strong growth for Yili's NZ operations

Chinese dairy giant Yili Group says its New Zealand operations are on track for strong revenue growth in 2025 after recording significant year-on-year growth for the first half of the year.

Feds support live animal exports

Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.

Live exports battle

As the coalition Government mulls new regulations to reinstate the export of live animals, debate is heating up between supporters and opponents.

Popular Reads

Hawke’s Bay farmers donate livestock to support rescue helicopter

A Hawke's Bay farming family of self-confessed 'frequent flyers' has donated the proceeds from their spring lambs.

Dawn Meats confirms no Alliance plant closures

The new majority owner of meat company Alliance has no plans to close any processing plants. Instead, Dawn Meats plans…

Waituna Lagoon consent puts farms at risk, Federated Farmers Say

According to Federated Farmers, Environment Southland has mishandled the consent process for Waituna Lagoon, leaving the community with numerous bad…

New target 'political theatre'

OPINION: Farmers are being asked to celebrate a target that changes nothing for the climate, wastes taxpayer money, and ignores…

US removes reciprocal tariff on NZ beef

Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of…

Featured

Waireka Research Station leads biodiversity restoration in New Plymouth

For more than 50 years, Waireka Research Station at New Plymouth has been a hub for globally important trials of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, carried out on 16ha of orderly flat plots hedged for protection against the strong winds that sweep in from New Zealand’s west coast.

Youth take centre stage at East Coast Farming Expo 2026

There's a special sort of energy at the East Coast Farming Expo, especially when it comes to youth.

Editorial: Local govt overhaul

OPINION: The latest reforms of local government should come as no surprise.

Export delays, weather and global supply pressure hit NZ avocado growers

The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

Government approves nationwide recycling scheme for primary sector plastics

Rural recycling scheme Agrecovery is welcoming the Government's approval of regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme for agrichemicals and farm plastics.

Late start but strong season ahead for New Zealand strawberries

Despite a late and unfavourable start, this year’s strawberry crop is expected to be bountiful for producer and consumer alike.

National

Fonterra directors set for pay rise pending AGM approval

Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.

Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture

The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate…

McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024

Feeding more than 1.5 million people a week takes more than quick service, it takes the ongoing work of New Zealand…

Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price

Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward…

BNZ: $10 milk price now unlikely for 2025/26 season

The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

Machinery & Products

Claas Jaguar 1000 Series sets new forage harvesting world record

The recently released Claas Jaguar 1000 Series has seen its flagship 1200 set a new official Guiness World Record in…

CB Norwood appoints John Skurr as new general manager

CB Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of John Skurr to the position of general manager.

Polaris unveils mid-size utility side-by-side

Polaris Off Road has unveiled the 2026 Ranger 500, an all-new mid-size utility side-by-side aimed at bringing the quality and…

Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition

Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to…

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

In an already crowded market, Polish machinery manufacturer Samasz is set to unveil a prototype of its Z4-1550 four-rotor rake at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Price cut coming?

OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.

Butter price melt

OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?

» eNewsletter