Sheep milk cheddar named NZ’s top cheese
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
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.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
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