Foreword

This history was commissioned by Allied Farmers Limited to celebrate and document the achievements of the company and its predecessors and in particular The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand Limited, who have serviced the farming communities of Taranaki and neighbouring provinces for over a century.

As Mayor of the South Taranaki District, and a director, shareholder and client of Allied Farmers, I am delighted to see this project come to fruition. I am very proud that a group of South Taranaki farmers and business people in the late 1800s had the vision, courage and tenacity to start this very successful stock and station business which has now become one of only two of its kind listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and Taranaki’s only NZX listed company.

Too Old to be Secrets Now: A History of Allied Farmers Limited, has been researched and written by Russell A. J. (Russ) Standing. His wide knowledge and passion for the mutual/ co-operative movement and farming industry inspired the creation of this easy-to-read documentary. This story is more than an account of a prominent Taranaki company, as it also embraces the history, development and progress of the wider Taranaki community.

Russ gives a lively account of the company from the earliest days to the present, its life and culture, its proceedings against the backdrop of the times, the personalities, branch offices, directors, staff and clients. This is a story rich in pride and achievement, with episodes of both fortune and failure.

I thank Russ for his attention to detail and the fact that he spent countless hours interviewing key people in the organisation and wider community. I thank the many individuals who so willingly shared their own experiences and family documents and stories with Russ.

This book will be of interest not only to those who are or have been associated with Allied Farmers but to all who are interested in New Zealand’s rural history and the place of farming and the stock and station industry in our society.

Ross Dunlop JP Mayor, South Taranaki District