John Roadley, Blenheim, MNZM
For services to the dairy industry. Mr Roadley has a long history of involvement in the dairy industry, and was Fonterra’s first Chair in 2000. In 1988 he became involved with the Alpine Dairy Co-operative in Temuka, becoming Chair in 1992. This company was merged with the South Island Co-operative to become the South Island Dairy Company, which later merged with the New Zealand Dairy Group. When the merger agreement was signed between the New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-operative to form Fonterra, he became the first Chair. He is seen by many in the dairy industry as an ‘unsung hero’ for his work in helping to create Fonterra. In 2009 he was granted an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University. He continues to be involved with the agriculture sector through his ownership of and investment in several farms, and through his vineyard. Mr Roadley is also a Director of Dairy Farming Systems Uruguay Limited.