New UHT plant construction starts
Construction is underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland following a groundbreaking ceremony recently.
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.
Later this month, Ardgour Valley Orchards apricots will burst onto the world stage and domestic supermarket shelves under the Temptation Valley brand.
Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.
ACT MP and farmer Mark Cameron is calling on Parliament to thank farmers by reinstating provisions within the Resource Management Act that prevent regional councils from factoring climate change into their planning.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has declared restricted fire seasons for the Waikato, Northland and Canterbury.
The first Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction drew mixed results, with drop in powder prices and lift in butter and cheeses.
ACT Party conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton is calling for legislation that would ensure hunters and fishers have representation on the Conservation Authority.
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