The sale of Westland Milk to Chinese company Yili is now complete.

Westland Milk Products’ sale to Chinese interests is an ironic end to the co-op, which last August was named New Zealand’s 2018 Cooperative Business of the Year.

Westland Milk Products shareholders voted overwhelmingly last Thursday to sell their co-op to Chinese dairy giant Yili.

Chinese dairy company Yili has thanked Westland Milk shareholders for their faith shown in allowing it to become custodians of one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands.

Corporate farmer Southern Pastures, Westland Milk Products’ largest shareholder and milk supplier, says it will abstain from voting on the proposed takeover offer by Chinese giant Yili.

Corporate farmer Southern Pastures, Westland Milk Products’ largest shareholder and milk supplier, says it will abstain from voting on the proposed takeover offer by Chinese giant Yili.

Westland Milk Products' board is working to convince farmers to vote in favour of its sale to Chinese dairy giant Yili.

When in Opposition, ‘Winston First’ used to enjoy standing on the sidelines criticising the sale of New Zealand companies to Chinese interests.

Selling Westland Milk Products to the Chinese dairy giant Yili may be the right thing but will be the sad end of the cooperative, says Barrytown farmer Richard Reynolds.

Lincoln University hosted senior management from both Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group and its subsidiary Oceania Dairy last week.