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Ian Brown
FONTERRA SHAREHOLDERS Council chairman Ian Brown has welcomed South Canterbury farmer Leonie Guiney's election to the co-op board.
Brown has also congratulated sitting directors John Monaghan and David McLeod for winning another term in office.
"I would like to welcome Leonie to the role and congratulate John and David on their re-election," says Brown.
"The council will continue to maintain a strong and effective working relationship with the board."
He also congratulated Penny Smart, Malcolm Piggott, Wilson James and Ellen Bartlett, elected from their respective wards to serve on the council.
James joins Matt Pepper, Shaun Lissington and Emma Hammond, who were elected earlier in the process, as new councillors.
"Succession is important for our council and the co-op and I welcome Matt, Wilson, Shaun and Emma. I look forward to working with them and all returning councillors and trust they will represent their shareholders and the council with diligence and integrity."
Brown also acknowledged the contribution retiring councillors Alex Wright, Dirk Sieling, Graham Hallett, Greg Mitchell, Robin Barkla, and Lloyd McCallum, the only remaining inaugural member of the council.
"When you witness the efforts that these councillors have gone to on behalf of the co-op, which most people never see, it is incredibly humbling and something I greatly appreciate.
"It speaks volumes about the individuals and their passion and commitment for their fellow farmers and our industry."
Brown praised the efforts of shareholders and thanked them for their participation in the elections process.
"The health of our co-op rests with shareholders and their willingness, as owners of Fonterra, to participate in the decision making processes.
"Fonterra farmers value the principle of 100% ownership and control and it is important that they continue to demonstrate their commitment to this."
South Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-retired Fonterra director Leonie Guiney has welcomed an announcement from the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan) that development of its Regional Policy Statement has been paused.
Departing Fonterra director Leonie Guiney is urging the next generation of co-operative farmers to step up and be there to lead in future.
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
The future of Fonterra is assured, so long as farmer owners stay engaged in the governance of the industry and the business they collectively own.
Nominations for Fonterra’s director elections are open.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.
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