A second election for an unfilled director seat on the Fonterra board will be held next month, with two unsuccessful candidates from the first election pitted against each other in what will be a further test of shaky shareholder support for the board of the big dairy cooperative.
The two candidates will be self-nominated farmer-supported candidate John Nicholls and board nominee Māori Television chairman and agribusinessman Jamie Tuuta.
The election, voting for which will open on December 3, will not be contested by former director Ashley Waugh who was ousted in the first election earlier this month as Fonterra's farmer-owners vented their frustration at the board's financial performance.
It's the first time in Fonterra's 17-year history that a second director election has been needed, said Fonterra Shareholders' Council chairman Duncan Coull.
The council is responsible for Fonterra director and councillor elections.