Lichfield, New Zealand
Lichfield is a rural settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.[1]
The community is centred around the Lichfield Fonterra facility, opened in 1995.[2]
The factory features the largest cheese factory in the southern hemisphere,[3] consisting of separate dry salt and brine salt plants.[4]
It also features the largest milk dryer in the world,[5] installed during a major expansion in 2016.[6] The dryer can process 30 metric tonnes of milk every year, and store 40,000 metric tonnes of whole milk powder.[2] The dryer is used during the peak season, with production varying based on prices.[7]
The Fonterra site employs 330 people, with extra staff being stationed there during installations.[5]
The local Lichfields Lands farm converted from sheep to dairy and beef farming in the 1960s.[8] It is now an Open Brethren operation,[9] donating its proceeds to charity.[10]
South African-born artist Sonnells Olls opened an art gallery in Lichfield in 2019.[11]
A Red Cross health shuttle transports Lichfield residents to health appointments in Tirau.[12]
Education
Lichfield School is a co-educational state primary school,[13][14] with a roll of 83 as of February 2024.[15][16]
References
- ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Lichfield, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
- ^ a b "Fonterra officially opens world's joint largest milk powder dryer at Lichfield". Fonterra. fonterra.com. 2 December 2016.
- ^ "The big cheese of Lichfield". newzealand.com. Tourism New Zealand.
- ^ Kissun, Sudesh (25 September 2018). "Gold for Lichfield". Rural News Group. Dairy News.
- ^ a b "4.4 million-litre boost from Lichfield dryer". nzherald.co.nz. Otago Daily Times. 19 September 2016.
- ^ Ferguson, Frances (16 February 2016). "Fonterra's Lichfield expansion brings jobs to the region". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ "Another big costly whole-milk powder plant off Fonterra's menu". nzherald.co.nz. Business Herald. 1 July 2018.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (11 January 2019). "Prominent Waikato farmer dies within days of vacation cancer diagnoses". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Nippert, Matt (8 July 2017). "Brethren charities worth $300m under investigation". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Kirkey, Luke (1 March 2017). "Director leaves farm empire for prison ministry". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (9 April 2019). "World renowned artist opens Waikato gallery". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (26 September 2018). "Putaruru health shuttle feels Tokoroa pressure". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ "Lichfield School Official School Website". lichfield.school.nz.
- ^ "Lichfield School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Lichfield School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.