Tour 7: Dairy Factory and Farm (Waikato, North Island)

Fonterra Lichfield 

Step Inside the World of Dairy Manufacturing at Fonterra Lichfield

Discover Fonterra Lichfield, nestled in the heart of South Waikato and home to one of our most versatile manufacturing operations. On this tour, you’ll gain an inside look at the production of whole milk powder for the Global Dairy Trade, along with high‑value whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate used in medical and nutritional products. You’ll also explore Lichfield’s impressive cheese‑making capability — producing varieties such as Gouda, Swiss, Cheddar, Edam, Egmont and Parmesan — and see the only large-scale brine‑salt cheese production in New Zealand. A highlight of your visit is viewing one of the joint largest milk powder dryers in the world, underscoring the sheer scale and importance of this site. This tour offers a dynamic, engaging snapshot of world‑class dairy manufacturing at Fonterra Lichfield.

Tour Details

• Fonterra Lichfield Site presentation with overview of manufacturing capabilities
• Site Tour of Fonterra Lichfield

Farm Visit

• Visit a Demonstration Farm, operating as a commercial farm focused on sustainable, high profit and environmentally responsible practices.
• Relies on homegrown feed to support herd performance.
• Uses smart technology like wearables to drive productivity through scientific monitoring.
• The farm shows excellent environmental stewardship through protection of multiple wetlands on the property.
• Includes an on‑site tanker collection demonstration.