Nera brings 16 years operational dairy manufacturing experience to Oceania Dairy. He has worked in a range of positions manufacturing various dairy products, as well as roles in Automation and Process Control, all within Fonterra.

He joined Oceania as a the Plant Manager for our Milk Powder Plant and has successfully ran this for 4 years before being appointed the Operations Manager in November 2021.  Nera brings a wealth of manufacturing and operational experience to this role, with a key strength in people leadership & process improvement.  This role covers the leadership of our Dryer Operations, Canning and Blending Plant as well as R&D/Technical, IT and Automation. 

In September 2023 Nera was appointed General Manager for Oceania Dairy Limited.

Shane joined Oceania in 2013 having had a similar role at New Zealand Dairies Ltd. He was previously the Executive Director of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand and held senior roles at Fonterra, New Zealand Dairy Group and the South Island Dairy Co-operative after starting in the dairy industry with MAF. He is a graduate of Lincoln College (B.Agr Sci) and a Judicial and Ministerial Justice of the Peace.  Shane is the main contact within the Company for farmer suppliers.  He works with and for farmers to maximize their returns, and with staff to make the most of suppliers’ milk, reinforcing the principle that quality is built through continuous improvement.  He is also responsible for ensuring that the company meets all its regulatory requirements.  This has involved Shane in developing the Company’s quality systems and securing all initial registrations and consents.  He has built and maintained the existing and potential milk supply base, maintains farm regulatory compliance, and ensures the Company meets its own environmental obligations.  Shane also represents the Company on industry committees and groups, and government liaison bodies, and maintains relationships with the local community, district and regional councils.

Chris has over 30 years’ experience in the food and dairy industry.  His previous roles revolved around sales and project management with a strong technical background, and he joined Oceania in 2016 after 16 years with Tetra Pak.

Chris is responsible for running the UHT business operations, and is focused on performance of the plant, health and safety, quality and regular communications with parent company Yili.

Susan brings over 20 years of HR generalist experience to the HR role at Oceania Dairy .  Most recently Susan was based in Australia and brings experience from a number of multi-national and Australian businesses with her to this role.  South Canterbury is her home and she has returned to South Canterbury to reconnect with friends and family and make a strong contribution to Oceania Dairy through her strong HR  generalist background.  

Robbie joined Oceania Dairy in 2016. Born and raised in Oamaru, coming to Oceania was something of a homecoming. Following strong progression through a range of roles at Oceania Dairy, Robbie was appointed Canning & Pouch Production Manager in January of 2022. Since then, Robbie has delivered successful, exponential and sustainable results with People, Systems, Production and Quality. Key to this has been an approach of 'an uncompromising belief in people, energy and grounded optimism'.