Taupō dairy factory in surprise sale

Miraka is located about 30km northwest of Taupō township.

In a what is being described by one of the players as an opportunity that happened quickly, Mōkai-based dairy company Miraka is being sold to Open Country Dairy.

By Chris Marshall

The news was released in joint media announcements by both companies on Monday morning, September 1.

Further details of the agreement under which Open Country Dairy would acquire 100% of Miraka, were not available said a Miraka spokesperson and the release noted that the board would not be conducting interviews.

Land-based trust Tūaropaki Trust – one of Miraka’s Taupō-based shareholders – also said it would not be making comment but was focussing on communicating to its owners and shareholders.

Miraka said day-to-day operations would continue as usual for its farmer suppliers, customers, and kaimahi (employees) – estimated online at 100.

Founded in 2010, Miraka became operational with its first batch of milk powder exports in August 2011 and has grown its production to about 300 million litres of milk per year. 

The dairy processor is the country’s second largest Māori-owned global export company and was the world's first to use renewable geothermal energy in dairy processing.

In February then chief executive Karl Gradon, who departed in March this year citing personal and family reasons, said the company had set its sights on being fully powered by renewable energy by 2030 in line with its core value, kaitiakitanga.

In September 2024, Miraka launched New Zealand's first green hydrogen dual fuel powered milk collection tanker.

On the sale to Open Country Miraka board chair Bruce Scott said the company had a lot to be proud of over the past 15 years.

“However, there are significant challenges that come with being a standalone regional processor operating in a global market. Under Open Country Dairy’s ownership, our Miraka whānau will be part of a strong New Zealand-owned network serving the global dairy market.”

Miraka would continue to operate its current name and brand in the market, and work closely with stakeholders and the local community to ensure a smooth transition and long-term benefits for the community, said the Miraka release.

Miraka is supplied by about 100 farms close to its Mōkai factory.

Shareholders are listed as Māori landowners who have owned their lands for generations (Tūaropaki Trust, Wairarapa Moana Trust, Hauhungaroa Partnership, Waipapa 9, and Tauhara Moana Trust) as well as strategic cornerstone partner Vinamilk, a leading Vietnamese dairy producer.

Open Country CEO Mark de Lautour said the purchase made sense.

“We have admired the Miraka location and milk supply network for a long period given it sits nicely between our Whanganui and Waikato operations. While we are still completing our recent Mataura Valley Milk acquisition, we were immediately interested when the opportunity came along to look at Miraka...

“The shareholders of both Miraka and Open Country believe the deal provides clear benefits for the combined business.”

Open Country operates four dairy ingredient manufacturing sites in Horotiu, Waharoa, Whanganui and Awarua.  Mataura Valley Milk near Gore will be added once a conditional acquisition agreement is finalised.

De Lautour said Miraka’s acquisition bolstered Open Country’s footprint across the Central North Island.

“Over time, the ideal geographic position of Miraka means Open Country can optimise our milk collection across the wider region. Our increased scale throughout the Central North Island allows us to realise some important efficiencies.

“Even though the Miraka team will operate under its own brand, we will work hard to ensure their suppliers and staff feel a part of the wider Open Country team.”