13-way battle for two seats

The list includes current chair Jim van der Poel, former Fonterra Cooperative Council chair James Barron, South Island agribusiness leader Jessie Chan, former National MP Shane Ardern, and Federated Farmers Southland executive Jason Herrick.

Other candidates are Bryan Pedersen - Foxton, Gray Baldwin - Putararu, Paul Manion - Morrinsville, Seamus Barden - Auckland, Jeremy Savage - Ashburton, Cameron Henderson - Swannanoa, Stu Muir - Aka Aka and Conall Buchannan - Paeroa.

This year two DairyNZ directors retire by rotation: Dairy Holdings Ltd chief executive Colin Glass is not seeking reelection.

However, chair Jim van der Poel is vying for another three-year term.

Voting starts on September 11. Levy paying dairy farmers will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates.

Electionz.com returning officer Anthony Morton says that farmers have until noon Tuesday, October 10, to cast their votes.

“I am encouraged by the number of candidates who have been nominated to fill these vacancies, and now is the opportunity for dairy farmers to have a say in who they want elected to the DairyNZ board,” says Morton.

James Barron

“When dairy farmers receive their voter packs, I encourage them to read the profiles and consider who they believe will represent their views and make the best contribution to the board.”

DairyNZ levy payers will receive a vote pack in the mail from September 11 and can vote online or by post.

DairyNZ’s board consists of five farmer-elected directors and three board-appointed directors.

Meanwhile, one nomination was received for a Directors’ Remuneration Committee position, which reviews and recommends changes to directors’ payments and other benefits to directors each year.

As only one vacancy exists, Robbie Byars of Winton will be appointed as a committee member at DairyNZ’s annual general meeting.

Successful board candidates will be announced at DairyNZ’s annual general meeting on October 11 in Te Awamutu.