Finance Minister's staff sought dairy price data before Fonterra meeting

Monday 25 August 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Mon 25 Aug 2025, 12:59pm

In this story Nicola Willis, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Fonterra, Miles Hurrell

Newly released emails show staff for Finance Minister Nicola Willis urgently requested international dairy price comparisons. This last-minute data scramble occurred shortly before her meeting with Fonterra's chief executive, amid rising pressure regarding soaring butter prices.

How they headlined it

12:03pm12:59pm

1. RNZMon 25 Aug 2025, 12:03pm

   The scramble for 'quick and dirty' dairy figures ahead of Willis-Fonterra talks (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesMon 25 Aug 2025, 12:59pm

   Scramble for 'quick, dirty' figures ahead of dairy talks (opens in new tab)