Fonterra Begins CEO Search Following Miles Hurrell Resignation
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
Last year over 88% of voting farmer shareholders backed a board proposal to reduce the 11-member board to nine.
This year, three farmer-elected directors – chair Peter McBride, John Nicholls and Leonie Guiney retired by rotation. Guiney did not seek re-election after serving nine years on the board. McBride and Nicholls were re-elected unopposed.
Appointed director Clinton Dines has also retired after serving for nine years. He was replaced by Alistair Field, whose appointment was ratified by shareholders at the co-op’s annual meeting in New Plymouth yesterday.
Speaking at the meeting, McBride thanked Guiney and Dines for their time and energy.
“Your contribution to Fonterra has been significant, but in particular your focus on risk and balance sheet management has been invaluable as we have reset the business.
“If the measure of success for a director is leaving the organisation in better shape than you found it, then you have both unquestionably achieved that. Our Co-op is in good health.
“The sentiment we are receiving from farmers right now is overwhelmingly positive.”
Farmers have voted to continue the Milksolids Levy that funds DairyNZ.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

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