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.
Greenpeace activists stacked flood-damaged furniture and personal item outside Fonterra's offices today. Photo Credit: Greenpeace
As Fonterra revealed its interim results for 2023 this morning, two Greenpeace activists were arrested in a protest outside the co-operative’s Auckland offices.
The protestors had set up piles of flood-damaged furniture and personal effects outside the co-operative’s offices on Fanshawe St, pasting stickers labelling the company ‘Floodterra’ to its windows along with cardboard floodwater.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the protest caused no disruption at the co-op headoffice.
“People are allowed to express their views at any time,” he says.
The protest comes mere weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle made landfall in New Zealand. At that time, Nick Young, Greenpeace Aotearoa’s head of communications, laid claim that the storm had been caused by the dairy industry.
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Two protestors were arrested outside Fonterra's Auckland offices. Photo Credit: Greenpeace |
The climate activist organisation has long been at odds with the co-operative, and the dairy sector as a whole, arguing for a move away from synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and towards regenerative agriculture.
They say the Government needs to do more to regulate the industry, a move the charity claims would protect New Zealanders from flooding, storms, and cyclones.
“While many communities are carrying the cost of climate driven storms, Fonterra… is reaping the profits,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa climate campaigner Christine Rose.
“Everyone deserves to live in a flourishing environment with a safe and stable climate, but big dairy’s greenhouse gas emissions are putting everything we know and love at risk,” she says.
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Protestors stickered Fonterra's offices with stickers that read 'Floodterra'. Photo Credit: Greenpeace |
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
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.

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