Panel Discussion
2
CPD
Explore how cooperatives support New Zealand’s primary sector and the governance challenges shaping their future.
Cooperative business structures are a defining feature of New Zealand’s primary industries, particularly in dairy and meat. Owned and controlled by their farmer members, cooperatives enable producers to pool resources, share risk and returns, and access markets that would otherwise be out of reach. They also play a key role in procuring essential inputs such as fertiliser, fuel, farm supplies, veterinary services and insurance.
This model has evolved in response to the structural realities of New Zealand agriculture, including small-scale production, geographic isolation and a strong reliance on export markets. By aggregating supply and coordinating processing and distribution, cooperatives provide the scale and market access needed to compete globally.
A core strength of the cooperative model is alignment with farmer interests. As both suppliers and shareholders, members benefit directly from business performance, with profits returned to them rather than external investors. However, this structure also presents challenges. These include constraints on access to capital, the balance between short-term payouts and long-term investment, and governance complexities in large, member-owned organisations. Decision-making processes can be slower, and tensions may arise between collective priorities and individual flexibility.
This panel discussion will explore the strengths and limitations of cooperative structures in New Zealand’s primary sector. Are cooperatives still fit for purpose in a rapidly changing global environment? And how can governance and ownership models evolve to deliver sustainable outcomes for farmer shareholders?
John is co-founder of Leaft Foods, a startup developing Rubisco protein concentrate from forage crop leaves. Leaft aims to go beyond alternative proteins by enabling new food production systems that reduce the environmental impact of farming while delivering high-quality nutrition.
He previously co-founded Synlait Group and spent more than 15 years in executive roles, including as inaugural CEO of Synlait Milk. During this time, he led strategy, business development and financial management, guiding the company from start-up to a listed business with a market capitalisation of around NZ$2 billion.
Building on his experience across agriculture, manufacturing and supply chains, John also co-leads a large-scale sheep and beef farm focused on developing horticultural options in Canterbury. This led to the establishment of Bold River Hops, now supplying craft brewers in New Zealand and internationally.
John has also chaired the Fresh Water Leaders Group, advising on policy to improve New Zealand’s waterways.
Graeme Harrison founded ANZCO Foods in Japan in 1984, initially as a sheepmeat sales, marketing and in-market processing company, before backward integrating into production assets in New Zealand and Australia. Today ANZCO Foods is one of New Zealand’s largest exporters with an annual turnover of $2.2 billion, employing over 3,000 people and assets of $700 million.
He was at the helm of ANZCO Foods for 34 years as managing director and then chairman. Growth of the business came from investing internally generated profits, long term customer relationships, joint venture partnerships and developing operational points of difference compared with meat industry competitors. ANZCO Foods has had only three CEOs in its 42 year industry.
He first became a company director in the United Kingdom in 1977 and subsequently served on many boards related to meat, petfood, seafood, dairy and currently his own farming and forestry business in the surrounds of Methven.
Michelle and her husband Leighton have owned and operated Pye Group, a large-scale agricultural business based in Canterbury, for over 23 years. They farm over 7,000 hectares with dairy, cropping, process vegetable, grazing, transport and contracting operations. Pye Group’s dairy business consists of ten farms producing 4.5 million milk solids with a further three farms to be added to the group next season.
Michelle has recently been elected to the Fonterra Board and re-elected for a second term as a councillor for Timaru District Council. She is also a director of Potatoes NZ and the chair of The Potato Seed Co-op Ltd. Previously Michelle has been a member of the Fonterra Co-operative Council and an inaugural member of the Fonterra Sustainability Advisory Panel.
CFInstD
Jessie has an Honours Degree in Animal Science and has worked in a range of primary sector management positions including MAF, Federated Farmers, and Meat and Wool NZ. She also owned and co-managed a dairy farming business in Mid-Canterbury on 420 ha of leased land and is now an equity partner in a dairy farm in Mid-Canterbury.
Jessie is currently a director of AgriZero, NZPork, Nga Puhi Investment Fund and Amua Innovation, and is Independent Chair of Cranley Farms. She has previously served on the boards of Pharmazen, AgResearch, RuralCo, Ngai Tahu Farming, Alpine Energy, Meat the Need and Bioprotection Aotearoa, and was a member of the Fonterra Shareholders Council.
Jessie was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022 for services to dairy and agriculture. She also received the Women in Governance Award for Inspiring Governance Leader in 2021, and Dairy Woman of the Year in 2017.
Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.
By registering for this event, you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.
Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.
Sharynn Johnson
Canterbury Branch Manager
+64 27 228 6069
canterbury.branch@iod.org.nz
The Canterbury Branch acknowledges the generous support of
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Members — $40.00
Non-members — $60.00
