Survey shows most Fonterra farmers plan to use capital return for debt reduction
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Van der Heyden says Armer has been on the board for six years and during that time has made a significant contribution to the progress of Fonterra.
"While we are disappointed that Colin has chosen to resign we respect his decision."
A replacement for Armer will be chosen at Fonterra's annual meeting later this year.
Armer was one of the three directors up for re-election this year. Others are chairman-elect John Wilson and Nicola Shadbolt.
Armer was one of the leading contenders for the Fonterra chairmanship. However, the board last week picked Wilson.
