Fonterra Oceania is six months young
The new Fonterra Oceania team are building a bright trans-Tasman dairy future.
In May 2024, the Fonterra Oceania team was officially launched, integrating the Fonterra Australia and Fonterra Brands New Zealand businesses to form a united group of 2,500 passionate dairy people across the Tasman.
This multi-channel business is home to a suite of dairy brands for Australians, New Zealanders and many around the world.
Household names include Anchor™, Mainland™, Perfect Italiano™, Kapiti™, Western Star™, Fresh n’ Fruity™, Bega™ cheese, as well as NZMP™ Ingredients and Anchor Food Professionals™ for commercial kitchens.
Fonterra’s Managing Director of Global Markets – Consumer and Foodservice, René Dedoncker, said the Fonterra Oceania team had united under a clear vision to be Oceania’s most trusted dairy company, drawing on generations of in-depth dairy knowledge and expertise.
“We are part of a dairy nutrition company that feeds millions of people around the world. In just six months, we have integrated two strong businesses to create Fonterra Oceania. We have connected as a team for the benefit of our customers, our farmers, and our stakeholders. While we are only six-months in, we are pleased with our progress,” René said.
“Using the combined skills and experience of our team on both sides of the Tasman, we are building on solid foundations and delivering exceptional improvements for our people and our customers,” he said.
Here are four top categories of Fonterra Oceania dairy developments over the past six months:
1. New Fonterra brands and campaigns across Oceania
- Western Star™ and Perfect Italiano™ is now available in Papua New Guinea.
- A selection of Fonterra’s award-winning Kāpiti cheese is now available in Costco and Aldi stores in Australia. Kāpiti is New Zealand’s most awarded cheese brand.
- Bega™ cheese has now moved into snacking, with Tasty, Vintage, and Colby options available in Australian supermarkets and convenience stores.
- Anchor Protein+ and Probiotic+ yoghurts have expanded in New Zealand, with new flavours and formats. Anchor Ghee, available in New Zealand, is ideal for sautéing, frying, and roasting.
- Mainland Sweet Cinammon is the sweet spreadable butter blended with cinnamon and sugar that you never knew you needed in your life, available in Australia.
- Giving our marketing muscles a great work out with the new Anchor Real Milk Real Good and Anchor Make Amazing campaigns.
2. Filling the Awards cabinet
- 22 Milk Quality Awards from Dairy Australia for Fonterra dairy suppliers in Australia, including 13 Gold and nine Silver awards.
- Top honours for Kāpiti in the Champion Blue division, and Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese and Champion New Cheese for the new Mainland Special Reserve Chilli & Garlic Brie variety at the 2024 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.
- 2024 NZ Champion Cheesemaker of the Year is Cathy Lang from Fonterra Oceania’s site at Eltham Bridge Street, Taranaki.
- International Cheese and Dairy Awards granted multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals for our dairy products, including gold for Duck River butter, made at Spreyton, Tasmania.
- The Fonterra Oceania Anchor Food Professionals team were awarded Foodservice Suppliers Association Australia (FSAA) Food Supplier of the Year and Countrywide National Supplier of the Year.
3. Commitment to our local communities
- Launched a new partnership with not-for-profit organisation Rural Alive and Well (RAW) in Tasmania, helping build mentally healthy and resilient rural communities.
- We celebrated 15 years of supporting the KickStart Breakfast programme in New Zealand, providing Anchor™ milk as part of a healthy breakfast to more than 42,000 students every school day.
4. Continuing to be proud
- Now in its fifth year, Proud to be a Dairy Farmer focuses on professional development for young people aged 20 to 35 working in the dairy industry.
- Getting ready to mark the 25th anniversary of Fonterra’s premier Foodservice mentoring program, Proud to be Chef, we are providing 32 apprentice chefs with mentorship, masterclasses and networking opportunities.
- Launched our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to fostering a workplace that acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.