MastaPlex Names Dr Matt Dobbs Independent Director
Dunedin-based company MastaPlex, which provides on-farm mastitis diagnostic platform globally, has named a new independent director.
Zespri's sales of kiwifruit for the 2025 season have broken all past records.
The organisation says total global fruit sales revenue reached a record $5.9 billion from sales of 248.1 million trays - that's up nearly a billion dollars on the previous year. This total includes kiwifruit produced in other parts of the world.
Direct returns from NZ orchards reached a record $3.56 billion - up from $3.04 billion in 2024.
Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says the 2025 season results signal the industry's momentum.
He says these results are something the industry can be proud of, particularly given they delivered a record crop in a much more challenging and complex environment.
"While we experienced pressure in certain markets, this was offset by our strong performance in key regions such as Europe and North America," he says.
Te Brake says Zespri's global supply remains a critical part of the organisation's strategy.
He says increased volumes from their Northern Hemisphere supply are helping build the brand, hold shelf space in an increasingly competitive market and maintain commercial partnerships that support strong returns to growers.
"The 2025 season marked an important step forward with the industry looking ahead to the next decade.
“We’ve launched our 2035 strategy which is focused on building on our momentum, ensuring we continue to invest in quality, capability and market development so we can consistently deliver strong returns for growers and sustained value for shareholders over the long term,” he says.
Te Brake says by focusing on three drivers – building brand-led demand, transforming global supply and creating the product portfolio of the future – they’ll be in a strong position to realise their ambition of “becoming the world’s healthiest fruit brand by 2035 and deliver strong value to the industry”.
For growers, the news is good. For example, the final price per tray for Zespri Green growers is $10.28 – up 28 cents on the last forecast. For SunGold it’s $11.90 – up 20 cents, and RubyRed $16.01 - up 85 cents. The per tray price for organic fruit is also up.
Te Brake says the record per-hectare returns and improved per tray returns reflect improved yields and their ability to secure strong value for growers, shareholders and communities through the strength of their brand and supply chain.
Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.

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