fbpx
Print this page
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

Asset sale 'won't be easy'

Troubled milk processor Synlait Milk won’t find it easy to offload under-utilised South Island assets.

Synlait could sell milk plant, canning facility

A poor half-year financial result is forcing listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait to carry out “a strategic review” of its North Island assets, including its new plant at Pokeno and blending and canning facility in Auckland.

Featured

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…