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REVEALED: Fonterra Milks Taxpayers For $3 Million in Corporate Welfare

December 23, 2025    NZTU Media

The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that despite being New Zealand's largest company, Fonterra has accepted nearly $3 million in MBIE distributed corporate welfare payments relating to fellowships, careers and training grants for their workforce. 

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said: 

"You work hard, you pay your taxes, and the Government is off giving corporate welfare grants to New Zealand's biggest company – corporate welfare for the big end of town." 

"In a cost-of-living crisis and with the Government literally borrowing to covering its bills, it is disgraceful both that MBIE are offering, and Fonterra is accepting, taxpayer money." 

"This a basically a subsidy scheme for Fonterra executives to do professional development, and for Fonterra to train workers. Just like for less well-connected businesses, those costs should fall on Fonterra, not taxpayers." 

 

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