Make Sure You Vote

Monday, 3 May 2004, 5:20 pm
Press Release: Federated Farmers

Make Sure You Vote

Dairy Farmers of New Zealand (DFNZ) strongly encourages Fonterra suppliers to vote in their co-operative's upcoming elections.

DFNZ Chair Kevin Wooding said all dairy farmers should have their say in the Fonterra board of directors and Shareholders' Council elections. DFNZ is the dairy industry group of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).

Malcolm Bailey, Murray Flett, Mark Townshend and Henry van der Heyden will contest the three positions on the board. Each year, a third of the directors elected by the shareholders must retire by rotation.

There will also be elections for 11 vacancies spread across six wards -- Te Awamutu, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Central Taranaki, Manawatu, and Otago/Northern Central Southland -- for the Fonterra Shareholders' Council.

"There is plenty of information available to help dairy farmers make an informed decision. However if dairy farmers feel they need more information I would encourage them to talk directly to council candidates, or to attend board of director candidate meetings held around the country between May 3 to 8.

"Farmers should take ownership of their co-op. If dairy farmers do not get behind these elections they cannot complain if they do not like the results further down the track," Mr Wooding said.

Farmers can vote until noon on May 12. Voting packs have been sent but if you have not received one please contact Fonterra urgently on 0508 666 446.

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