About us
We advocate, connect and inform, so cooperatives and mutuals continue to thrive and grow.
■
Who we are
Cooperative Business NZ is the peak body for cooperatives, mutuals and member-owned businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand. It independently represents them to government, regulators, educators and policymakers to increase awareness of the contributions they make to New Zealand, and ensure they continue to prosper and thrive for generations to come.
What we believe
Cooperatives build a better world.
New Zealand’s cooperative economy is a competitive advantage in a low-growth decade, and here in New Zealand we are one of the most cooperative economies in the world. Cooperative businesses are purpose-led, committed to bringing economic and social returns for their members and communities. Our role as the industry body is twofold. To equip and educate members, founders, directors and support professions and to advocate for enabling, modern settings that reduce barriers to entry and ensure the unique nature of the cooperative model is appropriately recognised.
Our history
Our history dates back to 1981, when a Steering Committee was established to consider forming an industry body to support and represent New Zealand’s agricultural co-operatives.
In March 1984, The New Zealand Agricultural Co-operative Association was registered. Our name was changed in May 1997 to New Zealand Co-operative Association and again in February 2013 to Cooperative Business New Zealand.
So how did we get to where we are today? Here’s a snippet of our history and the key people who have helped make the organisation a success.
1981 - 1984
[ Steering Committee ]April 1981 saw the first Steering Committee formed. Like a newly established co-operative today, these individuals saw a need in the community and banded together to devise a solution.
The committee consisted of:
Peter Elworthy (Chairman, Federated Farmers)
Brian Cameron (Deputy Chair, PPCS – now Silver Fern Farms)
Alex Wright (Ravensdown)
Ian Woolsey (BOP Farmers Trading Society)
Rae Jordan (NZ Co-operative Wool Marketing Association)
John Graham (Chairman of NZ Dairy Board)
1984 - 1997
[ The New Zealand Agricultural Cooperative Association ]In March 1984, the NZ Agricultural Co-operative Association was formed, setting the wheels in motion for what we now know as Cooperative Business NZ.
The Board members were:
Chair – Brian Cameron, 1984 – 1997 (PPCS)
Deputy Chairman – John Falconer (Alliance Freezing Co.)
John Tripp (NZ Dairy Board)
Alex Wright (Ravensdown Fertiliser Co.)
Ian Woolsey (Bay Farmers Trading Society, now Farmlands)
John Heaton (Nelson Packhouse)
Graeme Robertson (South Island Export Barley Soc.)
Rae Jorden (NZ Co-op Wool Marketing Assn.)
Tom McNab (Farmers Mutual Insurance Group)
Frank Ryan was the Association Secretary from 1984-1993, and Paul Giles from 1993-1997 (both ex NZ Dairy Board)
1997 - 2013
[ The New Zealand Cooperatives Association ]The organisation opened up to all cooperatives, regardless of sector.
From May 1997 to June 2005, Ian Reid (previously CEO at PSIS) was CEO and was instrumental in the welcoming of all co-ops and mutuals to join the association.
Peter MacDougall, Alex Wright and Brian Cameron were all Chairs during this period.
In June 2005, Ramsay Margolis became CEO. Between June 2005 and February 2013, Blue Read, Chris Knowles, Peter MacDougall and Alex Wright all held the role of Chair.
2013 - today
[ Cooperative Business New Zealand ]Formed in February 2013, we became what we are today Cooperative Business New Zealand aka Cooperative Business NZ.
Ramsay Margolis remained CEO until December 2013, with Blue Read as Chair.
From January – April 2014, Fiona Gavriel was Acting CEO.
Ian McIntosh stepped into the position from May 2014 – April 2015, followed by Craig Presland from April 2016 – September 2019 and Roz Henry from September 2019 – February 2024. Throughout this period, Jonathan Lee was Chair. He was succeeded by Christine Burr in March 2020.
Christine stepped down as Chair in 2022, with Mike Brown being elected to the role in September 2022. Current CEO, Saya Wahrlich joined in February 2024 and in 2025 Cooperative Business NZ was re-registered as an Incorporated Society under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
Honorary members
Community, cooperation and collaboration are all central to the cooperative model. New Zealand is fortunate to be home to some outstanding individuals who have dedicated much of their working (and personal) lives to the cooperative sector.
One way in which Cooperative Business NZ seeks to recognise the contribution these individuals have made is through Honorary Membership. These memberships are awarded to a select few who have made significant contributions to cooperatives in New Zealand over many years, as well as to our past Chairs.
We offer our sincere thanks to:
Brian Cameron I John Falconer I Russell Green I Chris Knowles I Jonathan Lee I Peter MacDougall I Blue Read I Ian Reid I David Shaw I Christine Burr I Alex Wright
