As a Fonterra-supplying dairy farmer I write in support of the farmers raising concerns regarding Fonterra share trading among farmers.
I believe strongly that Fonterra is a co-operative with all suppliers equal and treated equivalently. I am concerned, however, that farmer trading of shares means that not all farmers will be equal as existing farmers will potentially face a loss on share value due to no co-operative regulation.
This will impose a barrier within the co-operative, in my view, and erode the good faith of co-operative members. I am also concerned that the Prime Minister, John Key, indicated the potential listing of the co-operative's shares on the sharemarket. However, any non-supplier ownership of Fonterra shares threatens the principles of the co-operative, and I believe this is a step in the wrong direction.
Joy Burke, Waimate
Best for the Bay
At last a group of people who, like myself, only want the very best for Hawke's Bay; who are passionate about our region; who have not only the vision, but the ability and drive to know, like myself, that the climate now and into the future is only going to be successful for our citizens and more importantly future generations if we have a strong collective approach for all that our region will prosper from.
Our world is so competitive that what was well done in most cases in the past is now out of touch with the rapidly changing climate in all areas, including economic, social, health, environmental, employment. They are challenges that must be met. The current approach to governance is not achieving a sustainable outcome. We need to be able to look at those whose backsides have been warming governance seats for too long with the opinion that they are important. Some (a few) have achieved for their cities, others have no vision except here and now. We all have an opinion about amalgamation. For myself the pride and love I have for Napier will never change. However, I want success for the citizens now and in the future. Hawke's Bay has to be in forefront of all areas. We have a head start to achieve this with the beauty and abundance that abounds us - the quality of our citizens, the climate. Now we must have the ability to achieve in our current approach to governance and service and to provide the very best-structured approach and platform to achieve this. (Abridged)
