Fonterra Upper North Island Operations Update

The majority of Fonterra’s operations in the upper North Island have been up and running since yesterday after Vector made a limited gas flow available.

The main Maui gas line is however still out of operation. The gas Fonterra is receiving is supplied through a smaller backup line.

Fonterra General Manager Milk Supply Steve Murphy said the operation team worked hard through the night to get sites in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland back processing milk.

“However with limited gas flows available we have 3 sites at Maungaturoto, Te Rapa and Morrinsville which we have been asked to keep shut.

“The result is that we expect to be able to only collect and process about two thirds of the milk in the area.

“We have advised farmers that while we are making every effort to collect as much milk as possible, if they still have any milk in their vats after 5pm today they will need to dispose of it on farm.

“In addition we have sent farmers best practice guidelines to ensure the environmental impact is minimised and we are also working closely with the Regional Councils.”

The availability of gas remains limited and Fonterra is advising its farmers to be prepared in case some more of it sites are required to be shut down again.