Our stories

At Fonterra we care about the environment and the communities in which we operate. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and one area that’s always a focus for us is water.

Fonterra and Nestlé are teaming up with DairyNZ to expand a promising plantain trial to help improve waterways and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In the seven years that Fonterra and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have been working together through Living Water, important advancements have been made to help regenerate New Zealand’s precious natural resources.

“We wanted to improve the farm and do our bit for the environment” is Manawatu farmer Grant Bell’s response when he’s asked why he converted 4ha of his property into an impressive wetland.

As parts of New Zealand still face a long recovery from a severe drought, it’s important now more than ever to stay focussed on our water goals.

As parts of New Zealand are struggling with drought Fonterra is lending a hand where it can with milk tankers delivering water to desperate communities.

A healthy environment is essential if we are to continue meeting our customers’ expectations and getting the most value from our milk.

We care about water. That’s why we’re helping regenerate New Zealand's waterways.

Fonterra is backing dairy farmers to continue improving freshwater quality while asking the Government to reconsider some of its proposals.

They may be tiny, slimy and reclusive, but the Canterbury mudfish are well worth protecting.

CAREX’s Catherine Febria and Kristy Hogsden reflect on the amazing successes the partnership has created over the past four years to improve the nation’s waterways and what’s ahead.

Brian and Pirkko Gallagher are passionate about sustainable farming. Not because they have to be – because they want to be and know it’s the right thing to do.

Enhancing the production and productivity of New Zealand’s primary sector, while maintaining and improving the quality of the country’s land and water for future generations. That’s the mission of the ‘Our Land and Water’ National Science Challenge.

When you talk to Matamata dairy farmers Rod and Sandra McKinnon about environmental sustainability it’s easy to understand why the couple won the 2017/18 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Twenty-one farms left reeling after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake have recently been kitted out with some new technology - part of a programme designed to get their farms back to the same, if not better, state than they were before the big shake.

This week is World Water Week and 3,000 decision-makers, scientists and experts from over 130 countries are converging on Stockholm, Sweden to develop plans to preserve this precious natural resource.

Scientific research shows water quality in Taranaki is improving in record setting leaps and bounds. Find out how the Taranaki Regional Council is working with farmers to continue these impressive water quality trends.

Living Water is designed to come up with solutions for farmers, communities, freshwater and ecosystems. Read more about Fonterra's innovative initiative.

How much water is too much or not enough? Find out how Fonterra is using innovative technology to farm for the future by finding the irrigation sweet spot.

Wetlands play an important role in creating healthy and biodiverse habitats. Commonly described as the ‘kidneys of the earth – they help protect and improve water quality by filtering nutrients and waste, provide fish and wildlife habitats, while also helping to store water in times of flooding and maintaining surface water flow during dry periods.

The Tiaki Sustainable Dairying Programme helps farmers stay ahead of expectations and requirements while increasing standards for customer and the dairy market. Read more about Tiaki on our website.

Forming partnerships with community groups and schools is an essential part of Fonterra’s efforts to protect and improve New Zealand’s environment.

Our farmers are doing valuable work to help improve the environment. This year, a few of them were recognised for their achievements at the Southland Community Environment Awards. Read more about their work on our website.

Volunteers from Fonterra and other environmental initiatives descended on the Ashburton Hakatere River Trail to help plant around 500 trees along the riverbank.

Fonterra announced their plan to improve waterway quality throughout New Zealand. Learn more about the six strategies they plan on implementing to promote sustainable farming efforts and promote river and stream health.

A 25-strong team of staff from Fonterra, Canterbury Waterway Rehabilitation Experiment (CAREX), Department of Conservation, Selwyn District Council, Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Wai-ora Forest Landscapes recently pitched in to help one of our Fonterra farmers plant around 400 plants along a spring on his farm.

In a place just outside of Hobbiton, there are grassy mounds that are being used for a different purpose than to house hobbits.

Finding the balance between making a profit and farming sustainably has always been at the forefront of Fonterra farmer Paul Warneford’s mind.

We recently caught up with the Fonterra sharemilker Nigel Gardiner whose on-farm sustainability work led to the discovery of endangered native mussels, or Kākahi, two years ago.

Sixty to seventy volunteers braved the wet weather last month in an effort to help maintain the environment of the spring which is part of the Waihou River and known to be one of New Zealand’s most pristine waterways.

Fonterra's Maungaturoto manufacturing site in Northland, New Zealand has recently become home to a rare Australasian Bittern.

As part of our Co-op’s efforts to invest in resource-efficient manufacturing plants, a number of our sites are undertaking improvement work.

Our Living Water partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) is supporting NIWA and local hapū to further their understanding of healthy eel habitats on the Wairua River in Northland.

Fonterra and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have partnered up with Living Waters to promote healthy wetlands. Learn more about why wetlands are so important, with information from Tony Roxburgh. Roxburgh is a chairman on the National Wetland Trust.