increase font size
Over 1000 people attended the funeral service for former Fonterra chairman John Wilson.
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was farewelled in Hamilton today by family, co-op colleagues, farmers and friends.
Over 1000 people attended the funeral service at Mystery Creek. Wilson passed away on Monday.
He stepped down as Fonterra chairman in July last year on medical grounds.
Wilson’s predecessor at Fonterra, Sir Henry van der Heyden delivered one of the eulogies at the service.
He started with a personal message from former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings, who joined the co-op nine months before Wilson was named chair-designate. Spierings left the co-op in September last year.
Van der Heyden told the funeral service that he spoke to Spierings, who was “deeply saddened by John’s passing”.
“He spoke to me and remembers fondly the day he arrived in NZ, he was met by John and who typically took him straight home to the farm and family.
“From that first day, he says he always felt at home and welcomed on the farm.”
Van der Heyden says Spierings had deep respect for Wilson’s vast knowledge about the co-op.
Van der Heyden, who was asked by Wilson’s widow, Belinda to deliver the eulogy, recalled his first experience with Wilson’s leadership quality.
It was during a NZ Dairy Group conference in mid 1990s.
“I had just been elected to the NZDG board and attending a conference; this young red head stood up with a voice twice the size that he was; full of confidence but also full of common sense.
“His delivery was plain, simple and articulate; what impressed me most was his love for the co-op.
“I can still see him now making a huge impression on everyone in that room.
“I came away from that conference knowing that I had met a future leader.”
Van der Heyden says there’s lot the dairy industry must thank Wilson for; he always put farmers first.
The funeral was also attended by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and opposition agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy.
An eulogy was also delivered by Wilson’s close friend and Tatua Co-op chairman Steve Allen.
A private cremation was held after the service.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.
OPINION: As CEO of the Dairy Board in the 1980s I was fortunate to work with a team of experienced and capable executives who made most of the brand investments that created the international consumer business Fonterra inherited. Soprole in Chile was the largest, but there were more than 20 countries where consumer marketing companies were established and Anchor and other brands were successfully launched.
Fonterra has delivered a fifth straight year of record organic milk price for farmer suppliers.
Fonterra says favourable weather conditions supporting pasture growth is boosting milk production.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…
