Richard Wyeth’s first speech from the Synlait Milk podium

Richard Wyeth previously ran Westland Milk Products. (Image: Synlait)

Fri, 21 Nov 2025

Synlait Milk will be reshaped into a South Island business well-positioned for the future, its new chief executive says.It’s been six months since Richard Wyeth took the CEO job at the dairy processor, having led Westland Milk Products before that, fronting his first annual meeting in Christchurch on Friday.He joined Synlait at a time when it was experiencing “manufacturing challenges” at its Dunsandel site, which resulted in costs of $43.5 million.Wyeth told his first AGM, where its deal to sell its North Island assets was vo...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Technology

The experiment Down Under

Ultimately, government policy can never substitute for good parenting.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Travel

The rise of the all-inclusive adventure resort

In remote locations, lodges often offer all-inclusive packages.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

The rise of the all-inclusive adventure resort

On the Money

On the Money: Cordis Bros, Chris Castle, Anna Breman, and more

Speculative miners, Fudge, Anna Breman's media debut and a Cordis Christmas.

Dileepa Fonseka 13 Dec 2025

On the Money: Cordis Bros, Chris Castle, Anna Breman, and more

Sponsored

AI is only as good as its data foundation

NZ leaders explain why clean, connected data drives AI value.

Cognizant

Sponsored

Embracing AI?: How ANZ businesses are unlocking value through modernisation

Modernisation clears the path for AI to lift productivity.

Cognizant

More Primary Sector

Primary Sector

PF Olsen, Forestry360 to merge, Adamantem takes a stake

New Zealand forestry management companies PF Olsen and Forest360 are to merge, with Sydney-based private equity firm Adamantem Capital coming in as an investment partner, the parties said.Adamantem will come in alongside existing PF Olsen cornerstone shareholder Quayside Holdings...

Staff reporters 12 Dec 2025