Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride believes the uncontested director election shows that the co-op is well governed.
Fonterra chairman Peter McBride claims an uncontested director election this year reflects the calibre of the two board members up for re-election.
Sitting Fonterra board members Brent Goldsack and Cathy Quinn are unopposed.
However, as this is an uncontested election, under Fonterra’s board election rules, both sitting directors must gain more than 50% support of votes cast to serve another three-year term.
When nominations for the non-assessment process closed last month, Goldsack and Quinn were the only two candidates. This is the first time in the co-op’s history that director elections have not been contested.
McBride told Rural News that while shareholders believe their co-op is well governed, it also reflects the skill sets of Goldsack and Quinn.
“No one else came through the nomination process; that shows the co-op is well governed and the calibre of the incumbents,” he says.
Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson is also unopposed for another three-year term on the council.
Meanwhile, former Fonterra Co-operative Council chair Simon Couper is making a comeback to a governance role within the co-operative, 11 years after resigning as chair. Couper stepped down as council chair in 2012, unhappy with some aspects of the proposed Trading Among Farmers (TAF), which was later approved by farmer shareholders.
Voting Packs containing candidate profiles will be mailed to eligible shareholders from Monday. Shareholders can vote online or by post from Tuesday, October 17. Voting closes at 10.30am on Tuesday, 7 November 2023 with the results being announced later that day.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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