Barry Cuttance Suspension: Inside the NZDFA Dispute
A spat within the ranks of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association has resulted in the suspension of outspoken North Canterbury farmer Barry Cuttance.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dean Hamilton has been appointed to the Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) board for a three-year term.
Hamilton joined the board as a venison processor-appointee on 1 July, replacing Andrew West.
Deer Industry New Zealand chair Andy Macfarlane welcomed Hamilton saying “Silver Fern Farms is our largest venison processor and marketer and we are very pleased to now have a close connection to that company through Dean’s appointment. To have a leader of his calibre on the board will be an asset for DINZ and is a good signal of Silver Fern Farms’ commitment to the deer industry.”
Hamilton joined Silver Fern Farms as chief strategy officer in April 2014 and was appointed chief executive in November 2014. He has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and investment in both New Zealand and Australia, before which he held senior operational roles including chief executive of meat processor Riverlands Foods.
Macfarlane also acknowledged West’s contribution to the board.
“Andy West is an astute strategic thinker, and his insights have been invaluable over the last three years as DINZ has been developing its strategic direction. We are very grateful for his input as a director.”
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
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