Tatua Chair Stephen Allen to Retire After 30 Years of Service

Mr Allen joined the Tatua Board in 1996, became Deputy Chair in 1997, and was appointed Chair in 2003 following the retirement of Sir Alan Frampton. During his tenure, he helped guide the co-operative through one of the most significant periods in New Zealand dairy industry history, including the lead-up to dairy sector deregulation.

Reflecting on his retirement, Mr Allen said he leaves Tatua with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to the co-operative's success.

Over his three decades with Tatua, Mr Allen worked alongside three Chief Executives: Dr Michael Matthews, Paul McGilvary, and Brendhan Greaney. Together with Tatua's directors, leadership teams, staff and shareholders, he helped shape a strategy focused on value-added innovation, disciplined investment, long-term thinking, and sustainable growth.

During his leadership, Tatua strengthened its reputation as one of New Zealand's most successful dairy co-operatives, maintaining a focus on creating value rather than pursuing scale for its own sake.

Mr Allen said one of the most important lessons from his career was that long-term success ultimately comes from people. "When people understand the purpose, feel trusted and are encouraged to contribute, exceptional performance becomes the natural outcome. Whatever Tatua has achieved has always been the result of talented people working together with a shared purpose."

In paying tribute to Tatua's shareholders, staff, customers, industry colleagues, Iwi, government representatives, community partners and his family, Mr Allen said the cooperative's success had always been built on trust, shared purpose, and strong relationships. "Trust is earned, never assumed, and I will always be deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. Tatua was built by everyday good people, committed to tomorrow and co-operative to the core. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have served alongside them."

The Tatua Board has confirmed that Director Mark Dewdney will succeed Mr Allen as Chair.

Mr Dewdney has a longstanding connection with Tatua and brings extensive governance, executive leadership, agribusiness, and farming experience. His career has included a range of chief executive and senior executive roles across agricultural and horticultural enterprises, alongside his own farming interests.

Mr Allen said he was confident Tatua was well positioned for the future.

"Leadership carries a responsibility not only to serve well, but to know when to pass the baton. Mark is an experienced Chair and director, and I am pleased to see Tatua's next generation of leadership take the co-operative forward."