Episode 130 – The end of an era for Tatua

Tatua Cooperative chairman Steve Allen is stepping down after nearly 30 years on the board, including a long tenure as chairman. Anne Lee speaks with Steve about his journey from farming a small 160-cow herd to growing his farming business and becoming involved in the governance of one of New Zealand’s smallest and most specialised dairy co-operatives. They talk about the decisions that allowed Tatua to remain independent through deregulation and the formation of Fonterra.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Steve Allen, retiring Tatua Co-operative Chairman

Steve discusses the thinking behind Tatua’s decision to stand alone, the co-operative’s focus on adding value to farmers’ milk and its disciplined approach to growth, investment and retaining earnings. He also reflects on the importance of leadership and culture, the role of the board in choosing a chief executive and allocating capital, and why he remains positive about the future of New Zealand food and dairy.

Find out more about the Better Pastures Together podcast by Barenbrug here: https://barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts