Ravensdown Returns to Profit, Approves $15/Tonne Shareholder Rebate
Ravensdown has reported a net profit before tax and rebate of $50.1 million for the year ended 31 May 2026.
Matt Bolger, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of The University of Waikato Management School, is joining Fonterra’s management team from March next year.
He will take over as managing director co-operative affairs, replacing Mark Cronin who will lead the co-op’s potential divestment process. Cronin will remain on the co-op’s management team.
Bolger spent more than 18 years with Fonterra in a variety of roles, including general manager capital strategy and director of farmer services, as well as time leading global sales teams offshore.
He stepped into his current position at University of Waikato in 2020. He’s also chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
Chief executive Miles Hurrell says that managing director co-operative affairs, Bolger will be responsible for functions including Farm Source, Global Stakeholder Affairs and Trade, Governance, Risk and Audit, Corporate Communications, Legal and Māori Strategy.
“As we implement our revised strategy, Matt’s knowledge of the co-op’s farmers, stakeholder relations experience and commercial acumen will serve him well,” says Hurrell.
Bolger completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Georgetown University in Washington DC, majoring in International Business with Minors in English and Japanese.
Cronin been with Fonterra since 2002 and has been involved in a number of key strategic projects for the co-op, including Trading Amongst Farmers, the Governance and Representation Review, the Co-operative Difference and Flexible Shareholding.
Hurrell says exploring options for the potential divestment of its consumer businesses is one of the most important projects Fonterra has undertaken and has the potential to unlock significant value for farmer shareholders and unit holders.
“As we progress this work, Mike will step away from the managing director co-operative affairs role to dedicate his time to the potential divestment. He will remain a key member of the Fonterra Management Team.
“Mike is a highly respected leader and industry figure, holding the managing director co-operative affairs role since 2014. I personally value his trusted advice and strategic leadership. He will remain with the co-op until the potential divestment process is concluded.
Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the annual award and the first time the company has expanded the field beyond its usual line-up.
For 50 years, Tasman's Mel Ewers has been helping the apple sector navigate through compliance issues and training.
The New Zealand ploughing team to the world championship in Croatia next month will be banking on borrowed equipment as they seek glory.
Just a matter of hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic trip to New Zealand, the political doors in India swung wide open for Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mark Patterson, who was there to help promote our high-quality coarse wool.
A new company set up to cultivate and supply seaweed for animal methane mitigation studies believes it could be a game changer for the dairy industry.
There's strong support from the horticulture sector for the Government's plans to overhaul and streamline the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with…
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put…