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Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy has paid a glowing tribute to outgoing DairyNZ chairman John Luxton.
Luxton is stepping down from the DairyNZ board after serving as chairman for eight years.
Addressing the industry-good organisation's annual meeting in Morrinsville today, Guy thanked Luxton for uniting the industry.
"It hasn't been an easy job at times; to make farmers realise they have to make changes to farming practices," he says.
He says under Luxton's leadership, DairyNZ has taken a lead role in improving the industry's environmental credentials.
Luxton also served as a National MP for 15 years, including nine years as a Cabinet Minister and a stint as Minister for Agriculture.
Guy says the relationship between DairyNZ and Government has been great under Luxton's leadership.
It is also important for DairyNZ to have good relationships with other primary sectors, he says.
Luxton is soon jetting off to see the Rugby World Cup in the UK.
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