Dear Member,

May has been a month of connecting. We enjoyed a fantastic turnout of members at our sold out Building Wellbeing event at Alberts in Auckland earlier this month. Plus, we were so fortunate to take a small group of members to look behind the scenes of EastPack cooperative's mind boggling Quarry Road kiwifruit packhouse in Te Puke. What an experience! We look forward to welcoming you to our next IYC 2025 in-person event on 25 June - a breakfast session where ProCare CEO Bindi Norwell and ex-Mitre10 CIO/CDO Phil Coster speak about bringing AI to life for co-ops. 

With Budget 2025 hot off the press, you may be wondering about future tax implications for your organisation. Tax experts from our partner Deloitte are hosting a webinar at midday Monday 26 May where you can find out more. 

Finally, the Financial Markets Authority is seeking feedback on 14 expiring class exemption notices and designations (not including the Small Cooperative Exemption Notice 2022). To find out if you're affected, review the details here, and get in touch if you would like us to add our voice to your submission. 

I look forward to collaborating with you all this year. If I can be of any help, please reach out.

Ngā mihi / In co-operation   

Saya Wahrlich

CEO, Cooperative Business NZ

ADVOCACY AND IYC 2025 

Annual member survey is open

This short survey helps shape Cooperative Business's priorities for the year ahead, ensuring our work supports the needs and aspirations of our cooperative sector. By sharing your insights, you help ensure our work stays relevant, responsive, and aligned with the needs of co-operatives across the country. The survey closes at 5pm on Friday, 23 May 2025. Take the survey

Advocacy: Submission on MBIE's Government Procurement Rules (v5)

Our submission on Procurement Rules advocated for MBIE to go further in recognising how business structure and ownership impact economic outcomes. Plus, we recommended direct reference to cooperative and mutual enterprises in the Rules to ensure they are visible and understood by procurement practitioners. We noted procurement is a strategic tool, and cooperative businesses are well positioned to help the Government meet its economic, social, and environmental goals. View our submission

The Cooperative Economy Report 2025

We're updating the Cooperative Economy report for 2025. Last released in 2021, this research plays a vital part in understanding the impact co-ops, mutuals and member-owned firms have on our economy and our society. Focusing on the top 30 organisations in the sector, we are undertaking our desk research this month, and will be reaching out to members to validate info soon. The report is being launched at an event at Parliament in July 2025. All members will be invited to attend. 

Year long NZ Coop Icons campaign - share your stories

Showcase your organisation or leadership and the value you bring to your members. Tell us your member stories, your origin stories or share your innovations. Download our communications kit and share your story today to be featured in our NZ Coop Icons campaign.
Inspire others with your impact. Learn more

EVENTS, TRAINING & RESOURCES

IYC2025 Event: Bringing AI to life in co-ops 

Join ProCare CEO Bindi Norwell and ex-Mitre10 CIO/CDO Phil Coster at a breakfast session to learn how AI is being applied to make a real difference in healthcare and retail. Learn tips to take back to your own business and members, including ProCare's framework for deciding whether to build, buy, or partner for AI capabilities. 

8:00am - 10:30am, 25 June 2025, Auckland CBD. All welcome, spaces limited to 20.

Webinar: Deloitte tax Budget 2025 and general tax update

Join our partner Deloitte’s tax experts as they cover the details of the tax announcements made by the Government in Budget 2025.

12:00pm, 26 May 2025  Register

Webinar: KPMG 2025 Agribusiness Agenda

This year, our partner KPMG will launch its 16th annual KPMG Agribusiness Agenda at E-Tipu: The New Zealand Future Food and Fibre Summit. Dial in and hear the latest insights on the opportunities that our unpredictable world is creating and the actions required to shape a prosperous future for the sector and for New Zealand.

10:30pm, 29 May 2025  Register

Podcast: VBT General Secretary Luc Vanoirbeek on drivers of change in Belgian horticultural cooperatives

In our latest Co-op Leader Conversations we speak with VBT's General Secretary Luc Vanoirbeek on how the horticultural co-op sector in Belgium is dealing with unprecedented geopolitical, weather and energy transition challenges.  Listen

Programme: Mayfield 6 month Co-op Governance Development 

Guided by esteemed facilitators Janine Smith and Associate Professor David Tweed, and delivered in partnership with Mayfield Group, this programme offers immersive workshops, personalised coaching, and remote learning. Enhance your understanding of directorship roles, refine your boardroom effectiveness, and set your co-op governance career path. The May cohort sold out, so secure your place in the October cohort now!

October 2025 cohort - Register

Got an upcoming event?

If your cooperative is hosting an event, training, conference or meeting that could interest others in our network, we’d love to help spread the word. You can register your activity through the What’s On page on nz.coop or via this short form.

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