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Greg Gent.
Fonterra shareholders have approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors for another year despite reservations from some shareholders.
A resolution to re-appoint PwC was backed by 85.59% of farmers who took part in the vote.
At the co-op’s annual general meeting yesterday, former director and Northland farmer Greg Gent opposed the resolution.
Gent says he felt the relationship between PwC and Fonterra had “become too close”.
Gent says it was time to look at new auditors.
He also noted that several PwC executives have ended up on the Fonterra board.
Farmer-elected director Brent Goldsack was a partner in PwC for more than 12 years; appointed director Bruce Hassall had a 35-year career at PwC, including seven years as chief executive of its NZ practice.
Fonterra chairman John Monaghan says he was not going to support changing the auditors “on the hoof” at an AGM.
He says Gent’s comments will be considered by the board when deciding the appointment of auditors in 2020.
Other motions passed at the AGM included approving the remuneration of directors; 86.5% voted in support.
A motion by Marlborough farmer Murray Beach to overhaul the co-op’s share structure was voted down; only 12.19% voted in favour.
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A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
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