DairyNZ Directors Election and AGM

Step into governance: DairyNZ seeks emerging farmer-leader

Are you looking for the next step in your governance journey?

Applications are now open for the DairyNZ associate director role on our board.

The associate director role isn’t just a seat at the table – it’s a stepping stone to shaping the future of New Zealand’s dairy industry.

You’ll be mentored by our eight DairyNZ board members, experience governance in action, play a role in sector wide decision making, and grow your leadership capability.

The position is open to levy-paying farmers who demonstrate leadership within their community and/or the dairy sector. Evidence of governance training or professional development will be advantageous.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

Active involvement in the dairy sector
Emerging leadership with future governance potential
A proven contribution to their community or the dairy sector through leadership or volunteer roles
Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development
Previous governance experience or training (desirable)
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute constructively to Board discussions
An interest in DairyNZ and the work we do
A genuine passion for making a difference in the dairy sector.

How to apply

This is a non-voting role and is appointed for a one-year timeframe beginning 1 June 2026. A commitment of approximately 30 days per annum and the ability to travel are required.

To apply, email your CV and cover letter to corporate.secretary@dairynz.co.nz.

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday, 20 February 2025, with interviews to follow in March.

DairyNZ’s Annual Meeting 2025 outcomes

Farmers toured DairyNZ’s purpose-built Waikato research farms on 6 November, gaining insights into current on-farm studies and innovations. This included individual animal intake units and methane emissions to extended lactation trials and other innovative farm system research.

Our Annual Meeting followed, held at Zenders Café in Hamilton, which was well attended and sparked valuable discussions.

Below is a summary of the key outcomes from the AGM, with all resolutions approved:

Mark Todd was officially ratified as an Independent Director for another term on the Board.
There was approval of the remuneration of the Directors of DairyNZ inc, following the Director’s Remuneration Committee recommendations.
We shared key themes and information from the Biosecurity Response Levy, with further details outlined below.

Tracy Brown and Chris Lewis were also formally acknowledged as being re-elected unopposed as DairyNZ Inc Directors, while Shirley Trumper and Ellen Bartlett were acknowledged for being re-elected unopposed as Directors’ Remuneration Committee members.

Biosecurity Response Levy consultation

DairyNZ consulted with levy payers on the Biosecurity (Response - Milksolids Levy) Order 2019, known as the “Biosecurity Response Levy” from early October to early November 2025.

The Biosecurity Response Levy is collected by DairyNZ and was established to fund biosecurity responses and paid for the dairy sector’s share of the M. bovis programme until the end of 2024.

We were seeking farmer views on broadening the scope of what the Biosecurity Response Levy can be spent on to include other biosecurity readiness activities to help make better use of the investment farmers have already made.

The consultation received good engagement from levy payers, with ~20% of total Milksolids represented and the majority of respondents supporting the proposed changes. We are continuing to review and consider feedback received through written responses, with the feedback we have received predominantly on:

Needing to have a clear focus on transparency of spending.
The importance of having the levy in place and retaining some funds for a response, and -
Acknowledging the benefits of being able to use it for readiness.

As the process of preparing an application to the Minister for Biosecurity to amend the levy order progresses, with will share more details, insights and next steps.