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November 2025 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION Consent crisis
p5 B+LNZ awards open Sold: South Island red meat processor Alliance Group has lost it’s 100% New Zealand owned tagline with the sale of 65% of the co-operative to Irish company Dawn Meats.
p14 Fonterra expansion
Alliance shareholders vote in favour for sale Alliance Group farmer-shareholders have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Ireland-based Dawn Meats.
p27 Aquifers recharged
p29
] by Kent Caddick Dawn Meats, one of Europe’s leading red meat processors, will acquire a 65 per cent shareholding in Alliance Group, with farmershareholders retaining a 35 per cent stake. A total of 2,675 shareholders voted, representing 92,495,558 shares or more than 88% of all shares on issue. Of these, more than 87% voted in favour of the proposal, meeting the threshold required under the Takeovers Code. Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne said the result demonstrated strong farmer confidence in the company’s future direction. “Our farmer-shareholders have given a clear mandate for Alliance to move forward in part-
nership with Dawn Meats. This is a vote of trust in our people, our operations and our vision. “We’re really excited about the potential for this partnership and what the future holds for Alliance and Dawn. “This essential investment will strengthen our financial position, enhance our operational capability and enable us to capture more value in market for our farmers and the country. “Importantly, the agreement also preserves farmer ownership, with a continuing 35% shareholding and strong governance rights.” Wynne said the positive outcome followed a comprehensive two-year process to reset and re-capitalise the business.
“By combining Alliance’s lamb expertise and global reach with Dawn Meats’ strength in beef and market access across Europe and the UK, we unlock significant commercial and operational synergies. “The future looks much brighter than it did 12 months ago. We’re looking forward to getting down to work.” Niall Browne, chief executive of Dawn Meats, said they were pleased and excited by the outcome of the vote by Alliance’s farmer-shareholders. “We now look forward to maximising the potential of the new opportunities this strategic partnership will unlock in the future for both Dawn Meats and Alliance.
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