$3B Urea Plant To Be Built In Southland
New Zealand’s reliance on imported urea could soon be a thing of the past.
From left, Rugby Southland chief executive Hua Tamariki and Alliance Group chief executive Niall Browne.
Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby team have joined forces in a partnership that will see the the meat co-operative's farmgate brand feature on players' team kits and replica jerseys.
Niall Browne, Alliance Group chief executive, says that both Alliance and the Southland Stags have a long history and deep roots in the Southland community.
“Southland is the spiritual home of Alliance Group. Many of our suppliers are based in the region, we are the province’s largest employer, and our people are passionate Stags supporters. Our values such as courage and team are also embedded in the Southland Stags culture," Browne says.
“As a business, we are passionate about providing our global customers with the highest quality red meat, and we are also passionate about great rugby.”
Dawn Meats, which owns 65% of Alliance, sponsors its local team Waterpark Rugby Football Club in Waterford, Ireland.
“We will be equally proud to see the Southland Stags players running out sporting the Alliance logo,” says Browne.
“I’m really looking forward to cheering the team on from the stands and I know there will be a lot of members of the Alliance family doing the same. Let’s hope we see the Ranfurly Shield back in Southland hands.”
Rugby Southland chief executive Hua Tamariki says the partnership is a natural fit.
“Alliance Group is an iconic Southland business with strong rural roots and a deep connection to our community, just like the Southland Stags," he says.
“Many of our players, members, volunteers, and supporters come from farming backgrounds or have close ties to the red meat sector, so this partnership reflects our people and the industry that underpins our region.
“We’re proud to have the Alliance brand alongside us on the Stags playing kit and replica jerseys. Their commitment to quality, teamwork, and the Southland community aligns strongly with the values that our organisation has for our Stags team.
“We’re looking forward to building a partnership that not only supports the pathway and performance part of the Southland rugby eco-system, but one that also celebrates the strong connection between our hardworking rural communities and the Stags jersey.”
The Envrionmental Protection Authority (EPA) has welcomed the deicsion by the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) to withdraw its appeal of the High Court's decision confirming the Authority had acted lawfully when deciding not to reassess glyphosate.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) is inviting applications for scholarships places on its 2026 Leadership Programme.
More than 640 dairy farmers and industry leaders gathered together at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre on Saturday night to celebrate the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards where Southland couple Scott and Stacey Mackereth were named Share Farmers of the Year.
Āta Regenerative is bringing international expertise to New Zealand to help farmers respond to growing soil and water challenges, as environmental monitoring identifies declining ecosystem function and reduced water-holding capacity across farms.
Yili's New Zealand businesses have reported record profits following a major organisational and strategic transformation.
Owners and lessees of certain Hino Trucks New Zealand diesel vehicles have just 10 days remaining to register or opt out of a proposed $10.9 million class action settlement.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.