Our communities and Aotearoa New Zealand farms thrive when nature thrives. So we’re working alongside our farmers, iwi (tribal authorities), environmental partners, not-for-profits and rural communities, to help protect and regenerate nature.
We're also aiming to reduce the environmental impact of all our manufacturing sites. By working together, we strive to achieve nature-positive outcomes, realise the full potential of sustainable dairy nutrition, and create goodness for generations to come.
Regenerating waterways on our farms
Riparian areas are where waterways and land meet. Regenerating these areas helps to reduce erosion, filter nutrient run-off, enhance eco-system health and support land and freshwater biodiversity. Fonterra farmers have fenced 99.6% of their waterways on farm. The planting of native trees and plants along waters also helps to filter out contaminants and stabilise steep banks and we have worked with farmers to encourage these activities.
Solving for better soil, better grass, better milk
Together with farmers and industry partners, we are working to improve our already fertile soils. The Farm Environment Plans that we produce for farmers include recommendations on soil health management. Actions taken on farm around riparian management also help with soil health and by participating in initiatives to plant native and restore wetlands, our farmers are working to help take care of the land, which in turn, takes care of all of us.
Improving water stewardship at our manufacturing sites
Over $550 million NZD
To be invested to improve water quality between 2021 and 2030
To address evolving consenting standards.
6.7% reduction
In water use at our manufacturing sites since FY18
And we're working towards a 15% reduction in absolute water use by 2030 from a FY18 base year.
44%
Of our manufacturing sites have Water Improvement Plans
On the way to 100% by the end of FY24.
All outcomes as of 31 July 2023.
What actions are we taking on water use?
- At Darfield, we improved the reverse osmosis plant, optimising water treatment and reuse.
- At Wynard, Tasmania, new equipment captured and reused 42.5 million litres of water in its first year.
- At Edendale, project COW MAX aims to reuse water and energy from milk drying processes. The project is is in commissioning and already seeing reductions in water use.
Maungatūroto wetlands help us recycle 700,000 litres of water every day.
Our Maungatūroto manufacturing site has been working with nature to reduce its water usage by up to 25%. The water extracted from milk is directed through a natural wetland before being treated and reused on-site. By recycling up to 700,000 litres of water a day, the site has reduced its reliance on local water sources. Thanks to this success, Maungatūroto won the inaugural Environmental Sustainability Project Award at the 2021 Water NZ Awards.
Working to improve wastewater treatment
Te Awamutu
At our Te Awamutu site we installed a new DAF (Dissolved Air Floatation) unit as well as a new membrane filtration unit. This and other upgrades have improved the discharge quality of wastewater.
Tirau
At our Tirau site we installed an anoxic tank, and converted a pond into a second aerobic pond. This has improved the quality of water entering the local waterway.
Whareroa
At Whareroa, we installed a DAF unit to remove dairy fats and protein from wastewater.
Clandeboye
At Clandeboye, we successfully trialled equipment and subsequently constructed a full-scale plant to remove dissolved inorganic nitrogen.
Partnering for sustainable catchments
Over the past 10 years, we have partnered with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation through the Living Water programme to demonstrate how farming and freshwater can thrive together.
- 5 demonstration catchments
- 35,000 hectares
- 70 projects
- 44 tools and approaches trialled
- 17 solutions taken to scale
Beyond the five Living Water catchments, we support farmer and community action across Aotearoa New Zealand through our Hapori Programme, helping them achieve their environmental priorities and nurturing the national movement on catchment restoration. We accelerate this mahi (work) by partnering with New Zealand Landcare Trust, Trees for Survival and Trees that Count.
We are also partnering with iwi, councils, central government, scientists and other primary sector organisations to ensure our productive landscapes are fit-for-the-future and adapting to the rapidly changing climatic conditions. One example is our partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Murihiku Rūnanga and Land Information New Zealand to Reimagine the Mataura River.