Friday, 06 November 2020 10:19

Long-running Pokeno land battle over

Written by 

A long-running legal battle between milk processor Synlait and New Zealand Industrial Park Limited over historic land covenants on a Pokeno processing site is over.

 

Synlait has announced that it has reached an agreement with NZ Industrial Park and its owner Karl Ye.

Further details of the settlement agreement will not be disclosed due to confidentiality, but the Canterbury processor says the settlement price was reasonable and not material to Synlait.

“Synlait and New Zealand Industrial Park are committed to working collaboratively for the benefit and integration of the Pokeno community and are pleased to have this behind us,” says Synlait chief executive Leon Clement.

“We are also pleased to provide certainty for Synlait’s shareholders, customers, farmer suppliers and staff.”

In February last year, Synlait announced the conditional purchase of 28 hectares of land in Pokeno to establish its second nutritional powder manufacturing site. 

In November, the High Court removed covenants over the land which would hinder Synlait's development of the land. Synlait then took ownership of the land.

In May 2019, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court decision to remove historic covenants. Synlait then filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Synlait says the Supreme Court has been informed that a settlement has been reached.

More like this

Synlait snag

OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

Wyeth to head Synlait

Former Westland Milk boss Richard Wyeth is taking over as chief executive of Canterbury milk processor Synlait from May 19.

Featured

A great outcome - Hurrell

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the sale of the co-op’s consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis represents a great outcome for the co-op.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…

Fatberg

OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter