Court rejects Greenpeace's attempt to block green hydrogen project
An attempt by Greenpeace to block the consent of a green hydrogen project involving fertiliser co-operative Ballance has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
A strong field of eight candidates is contesting two vacancies in Ballance Agri-Nutrients North Island director elections this year as the cooperative moves to its new two ward voting system.
Shareholders last year approved the move from three wards to two – one in the North Island and one in the South, with the aim to move to nationally-elected directors over time.
The North Island ward is seeing the retirement of Oliver Saxton after 15 years and the retirement by rotation of Sarah Von Dadelszen. The South Island ward has a bye this year.
Nominations for the vacancies closed on August 16 and eligible shareholders in the North Island have until 5pm on Wednesday, September 21 to vote.
Voting papers have been mailed to eligible shareholders. Provision has been made for both postal and online voting.
Sarah Von Dadelszen is seeking re-election. The remaining seven candidates are Dirk Sieling of Whitianga, Donna Smit of Whakatane, Grant Coombes of Taupiri, Ken Hames of Paparoa, Murray Jagger of Whangarei, Paul Martin of Whangarei and Stu Chapman of Dargaville. Candidate profiles can be accessed at http://www.electionz.com/ballance2016nw/profiles.pdf
Ballance chairman, David Peacocke, says he is pleased to see eight candidates standing for the new North Island Ward.
"It's important for our co-operative to have strong governance and that our shareholders have the opportunity to choose from a deep pool of candidates to select the best directors with the best skills and experiences. We are confident this strong selection will encourage a good voter turnout."
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.