Fonterra’s ‘open gates’ all but shut

Fonterra’s farm open day has been labelled an ‘‘absolute nonsense’’, with just 14 farms taking part and the gates all but shut to anyone still hoping to get a ticket.

Farmers from Northland to Otago are involved in the dairy giant’s highly-publicised Open Gates event next month.

The programme is touted as an opportunity for the public to see how Fonterra’s suppliers are tackling environmental and water quality issues, as well as see where their milk comes from.

‘‘There’s an important conversation happening about the health of New Zealand’s waterways. We care about the problem and want to share what we’re doing to help fix it,’’ Fonterra’s website says.

‘‘We thought the easiest way to show everyone what we’ve been doing would be to invite them to come and see it for themselves.’’

But with 13 properties already fully booked, the co-op has been accused of running a PR exercise inaccessible to most Kiwis.

Mangawhai Heads resident Peter Beaven was disappointed to find the farms near him were already fully booked weeks before the November 10 event.

‘‘All three of them in Northland were booked out at least a week ago and there’s only one farm in the country that’s not already fully booked,’’ he said.

‘‘The total number of farms throughout New Zealand is ridiculous considering the saturation advertising. It’s an absolute nonsense.’’

Beaven said it seemed impossible to escape the conclusion the programme was very little more than a PR exercise.

‘‘Fonterra knows, of course, that farmers are being blamed for lots of environmental damage so they are dealing with a significant reputational risk,’’ he said.

‘‘What better than to say to everyone that their farmers are good people who are conscious of the risks which they are now managing?’’

The first farms opened their gates in 2017, when 40 properties took part. The number fell to 16 last year and 14 farms are involved this year.

While 8400 Kiwis attended last year’s event, a Fonterra spokeswoman said about 14,000 people would get to experience a day on the farm this year.

‘‘The total number of farms . . . is ridiculous considering the saturation advertising.’’

Peter Beaven