World Butchers' Challenge captains go head-to-head before competition
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
Independent meat company Affco’s chief executive Hamish Simpson has become the latest high profile departure from the industry.
He follows former Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper and former Alliance head Grant Cuff, who stepped down late last year.
Simpson left last month after eight years at the helm of Affco, owned by South Island-based Talleys Group.
Simpson told Affco suppliers it was time for a change; he wants to explore other opportunities.
“I have enjoyed my time with AFFCO and leave with the company in good heart. We are profitable, financially sound, have modern well placed plants and, most importantly, a strong team to carry the business forward.”
At Alliance, new chief executive David Surveyor starts this month after a season as executive general manager of Laminex, a subsidiary of Fletcher Building.
He says he is excited about his new job. “Alliance Group has blazed a trail for New Zealand exporters for many years, not just in traditional markets, but also China and more recently Brazil and India.
“It is a privilege to be leading the business into its next phase. I aim to build on what has already been achieved to further improve the Alliance Group’s performance and returns to the company’s shareholder suppliers.”
At the country’s biggest meat company, Silver Fern Farms, Dean Hamilton is moving into the chief executive role, replacing Cooper, who has resigned after eight years in the top job and a total of 24 years at the cooperative.
Hamilton joined SFF as chief strategy officer in April 2014.
With the New Zealand/India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) dominating political debate here, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting New Zealand next week.
Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up.
“We’re not normal.” That’s how Jack Walters, executive director of Pungent Pukeko, describes his gin brand, which has just won gold at the World Gin Awards.
Dr Tim Harwood, a seafood food safety research leader, has been awarded the 2026 Significant Contribution Award at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) Food Industry Awards.
Today marks the first day of operations for Waikato Waters, a new council-controlled organisation established by six district councils to deliver water and wastewater services for their communities.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced has opened applications for the 2026/27 funding round of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research (GHGIR) fund.

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