Respected dairy industry leader Colin Jones, ONZM, has died.
Jones was a co-founder and executive director of Global Dairy Network, a trading partner and founding shareholder of Taupō low-carbon dairy company Miraka.
He died on January 1 2025.
Jones led sales and negotiations globally between 1971 and 2000 on behalf of New Zealand farmers to establish channels for NZ dairy products.
In the role of technical specialist of milk powder with the New Zealand Dairy Board, he marketed NZ milk products as a guest speaker in Taiwan in 1986, leading to the formation of joint venture company New Tai.
His sales acumen was significant in enabling Fonterra to operate in 140 markets globally. He played a key role in building international relationships for the NZ dairy industry, including with China, currently the biggest importer of NZ dairy products, as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, Mexico, Chile, Cuba and Venezuela.
Jones supported the establishment in 2010 of Miraka, a dairy processor based in Taupō and led by a group of Māori trusts and incorporations. He founded Global Dairy Network Ltd in 2007, an international dairy sales and marketing enterprise that helps link dairy product manufacturers with users of processed milk products.
In 2023, Jones was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the dairy industry.
Miraka chief executive Karl Gradon said Jones was widely acknowledged as one of the first people in New Zealand to explore and promote the sale of NZ dairy products in new markets.
“Colin made a significant contribution to the development of global dairy trade relationships and opportunities for Aotearoa New Zealand.
“He was a driving force, laying an enduring foundation for future development and opportunities for our dairy trading nation.”
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