Lactalis in front to acquire Fonterra’s Australian dairy assets after ACCC clearance
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.
Fonterra is gifting a rare fire engine to the Wellington Fire Museum, retiring the vehicle after more than 20 years of service in the cooperative.
The 1977 Dodge fire engine is one of only two ever built, and is the only one still in its original condition; it has been part of the Fonterra Te Rapa emergency response team (ERT) since 1992, after more than a decade in the New Zealand Fire Service.
The engines, built in Rotorua, are the only ones in the world built to these exact specifications. They have a smaller engine than a standard fire truck, and were designed as a first responder.
Fonterra Te Rapa ERT member David Rabjohns said the engine has served the co-operative well over the past 23 years and is now destined for another fulfilling role at the museum.
"The whole team is excited to hear that one of the long standing members of the ERT team will be put to good use at the Wellington Fire Museum," says Rabjohns.
The fire truck will be driven from Te Rapa to its new home in Wellington, joined by a Fonterra tanker and a New Zealand Fire Service fire engine at school visits along the way.
"Keeping safe on our roads is the number one priority for our tanker drivers and part of that is helping spread road safety messages in the communities in which we operate. This trip is a chance to speak to new generations about the importance of keeping safe on the roads," he said.
Wellington Fire Museum Curator Matt Silver approached Fonterra about donating the vehicle to the privately funded collection, bringing the museum's total number of fire engines to 15.
"I'm extremely grateful to Fonterra for generously donating this unique engine to the museum. The museum relies on donations. If it wasn't for companies such as Fonterra, the collection wouldn't exist," says Silver.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…