New Zealand Sign Language Week Highlights Inclusion at Fonterra Clandeboye
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
The Fonterra Shareholders Council admits that it its communication strategy during the TAF process was not up to scratch.
Council chairman Ian Brown says while farmer effort throughout the TAF process was remarkable, the council has had time to review its own performance.
"Communications stands chief among these and farmers have told us that the council did not get this right," he told the co-op annual meeting in Hamilton today.
"Over the next 12 months improvement in this area will be major focus, and we will endeavour to provide you, as the owners of Fonterra, with timely, accurate and relevant communications," Brown told shareholders.
However, he says at the same there is an obligation for all shareholders to take time to read and understand the relevant financial and other documents available to them and provide feedback to councillors.
"This information becomes vital as we move forward under a new capital structure and the council more closely monitors the business and delivers shareholders the resulting financial information as is our obligation."
Brown assured shareholders it will protect farmers' interests, and work to ensure the board meets its stated goals, and is held accountable for them.
OPINION: Farmers around the country are welcoming the proposed reform of local government.
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…