Ex-Fonterra Suppliers Face Stricter Share Sell-Down Requirements
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.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride is challenging employers in the horticulture sector to do more for young people in the industry.
McBride told 400 people at the Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year competition of the need to develop young people and bring them through the industry.
It has a lot of physical assets, but the most important is people, he says.
"In developing our young people we are creating equity opportunities for them. There are models out there for encouraging our young people to become owners; [we can] and give them opportunity in our businesses either with capital or by helping them to secure loans."
McBride says with horticulture and tourism the fastest-growing industries in NZ that creates a world of opportunity for young people -- in management, post harvest, orchard management and roles in Zespri and in the horticultural services sector.
And there is also plenty of scope for people to start their own businesses, he says.
"The business environment has never been better for young people to flourish and take opportunities. Most of these come in periods of difficulty or downturn so these are also periods of high risk. But they have to take the opportunity when it comes and push the boat out and hope the water stays in the harbour."
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.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…