increase font size
Michael Spaans.
Sadly, our cooperative has lost one of our strongest people with former director Michael Spaans passing away last week.
Michael decided earlier this year to step down from the Fonterra board to try to recover from cancer.
He and I go back many years and I saw him approach the illness as he approached everything in life -- resolute, determined and doing his utmost to continue as normal. His was a brave fight and I am sure that will not surprise those of you who knew him.
Michael was a proud dairy farmer with a passion for our co-op and industry -- a fine example of a leader developed within our ranks.
He brought experience and a huge energy and commitment to our board, and won the respect of his fellow directors and farmers for his willingness to listen and engage.
Michael was a man who knew the importance of detail. He made sure he knew this business extremely well, and understood our strategy and detail in the numbers. He always looked for constructive solutions and thought deeply about our co-op’s governance and his role in the evolution of our business.
His insights, experience, genuine interest and inquisitive mind were invaluable on Fonterra’s milk price panel, the cooperative relations committee and the audit and finance committee.
As recently as last month Michael was working for the betterment of New Zealand farmers in his capacity as chairman of DairyNZ. He also remained an ambassador for Fonterra in Wellington and on the international stage, speaking recently at the United Nations in New York on behalf of the Global Dairy Platform and all farmers.
We have lost a close friend, leader and an advocate of our industry much too soon. Our thoughts and deep gratitude for all that he contributed go to his family.
• John Wilson is chairman of Fonterra.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
The quest to measure, report and make sense of the energy that goes into food production has come a long way in the past 25 years.
Is a record $10 milk price on the cards this season?
Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
OPINION: The dairy industry will be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.
