Milksolids Levy Vote 2026

What is the Milksolids Levy Vote 2026?

The Milksolids Levy funds DairyNZ’s work on behalf of all New Zealand dairy farmers - including research, on-farm tools, support, and advocacy. Under the Commodity Levies Act 1990, dairy farmers must vote every six years on whether the levy continues.

Who is eligible to vote?

Any business that produces milksolids from bovine animals for supply to a dairy processor at the time of the vote is eligible to participate. This includes all dairy farm owners, sharemilkers and some dairy farm leaseholders.

Ways to vote

You can vote in one of two ways: Online or by Post. Voting packs will arrive in the mail from 14 February 2026, and an email will be sent when voting opens on 16 February. Both will contain information on how to vote, including your unique password and PIN. The voting process is easy - you can either vote online or via post.

When do I vote?

The voting period runs from Monday 16 February to Friday 13 March 2026 at 5pm. Voting packs and emails will include all the information you need to vote. If voting by post, Electionz.com must receive your completed voting form by 5pm on 13 March 2026.

What happens if there is a 'No' vote?

A ‘No’ vote means the Milksolids Levy would stop, leading to the wind-down of DairyNZ. The sector would lose its unified voice, central funding for research and advice, and the ability to co-invest with government. Responses to challenges would become fragmented and costlier. Other levy-supported initiatives like Dairy Women’s Network, industry awards, and other programs would also be affected.

If there were no DairyNZ, there would be no industry body to:

• Collectively fund and carry out science and research.
• Develop new technologies and on-farm tools.
• Provide economic and scientific evidence to ensure better policy outcomes.
• Join with other sector bodies for a united farmer voice.
• Facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning with a farm systems lens.
• Contribute significant funding to valued sector organisations, including Dairy Women's Network, SMASH, Dairy Environment Leaders, NZ Young Farmers, and Pasture Summit.
• Continue DairyBase – the tool that gives you a clear view of your farm’s performance with free benchmarking.
• Continue Dairy Training Limited – the entity offering free, practical courses designed with farmers, for farmers.

Dairy farmers would lose funding contributions from government and other organisations for agricultural research and other projects - this support is directly linked to levy co-funding.

What is the Milksolids Levy?

The Milksolids Levy is the primary source of funding for DairyNZ’s work. It enables investment into practical on-farm tools, research, farmer support, extension, and advocacy to help farmers respond to change and seize opportunities. DairyNZ, the industry organisation representing all New Zealand dairy farmers, carries out this work on behalf of Levy Payers.

How long has the Milksolids Levy been in place?

The first vote on whether to have a levy on milksolids was held in 2002. The first Milksolids Levy was introduced in June 2003.

Why should I vote on the Milksolids Levy?

Voting ensures Levy Payers have their say on the future of the Milksolids Levy, which is the most significant source of DairyNZ funding. Whatever your view, it’s important that farmers make their voice heard.

Why do we need to vote to continue to pay the Milksolids Levy?

The levy vote is required under the Commodity Levies Act 1990 which requires Levy Payers to vote on the levy every six years. The levy vote is an important opportunity for Levy Payers to have their say on the future of the Milksolids Levy, which supports world-leading science and research, on-farm services and evidence-based advocacy and policy delivered or supported by DairyNZ. Some other commodities that fall under the Levies Act include:

• Arable Crops, Maize, Cereal Silage (FAR)
• Sheep meat & beef (Beef + Lamb New Zealand)

I have just voted recently – is this different?

In February 2025 DairyNZ consulted with Levy Payers on the rate of the Milksolids Levy. That was a process for us to hear from Levy Payers on how much they want to invest in the Milksolids Levy and where that should be spent. The levy vote takes place every six years and is next scheduled between 16 February to 13 March 2026. It is open to all Levy Payers.

Why is the levy vote happening now?

The levy vote timing was chosen to avoid clashing with on-farm priorities (such as peak milking and the January holiday season), to ensure it is completed before the 2026 New Zealand general election, and to enable the Levy Order to be in place before the current Levy Order expires.

Who is eligible to vote?

Any business that produces milksolids from bovine animals for supply to a dairy processor at the time of the vote is eligible to participate. This includes all dairy farm owners, sharemilkers and dairy farm leaseholders.

How do I vote?

You can vote in one of two ways; Online or Post. Voting packs will arrive in the mail from 14 February and an email sent when voting opens on 16 February. Both will contain information on how to vote including your unique password and PIN.

Is there a minimum number of Levy Payer that need to vote?

No, there is no minimum number of Levy Payers that must vote. However, we are aiming to have as many Levy Payers vote as possible.

Who is managing the voting process?

DairyNZ have appointed Electionz.com to undertake the voting process on our behalf and we are working with them through this.

When does voting open and close?

The voting period opens on Monday 16 February and closes on Friday 13 March 2026 at 5pm. If Levy Payers vote by post, Electionz.com must receive their completed voting form by 5pm on 13 March 2026.

When will I hear the outcome of the vote?

The outcome of the vote will be known shortly after the voting period closes. Once all votes are independently counted and verified, the results will be announced publicly. Levy Payers will be notified directly, and the results will also be shared through DairyNZ’s usual communication channels.

When will I know whether the levy will continue?

A positive vote is the first step. But DairyNZ must then apply to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) who reviews the application before Cabinet makes the final decision, which can take 2–4 months.

How much does the DairyNZ levy collect overall?

In 2024/25, a total of $70M was collected through the Milksolids Levy and in 2023/2024 $68M was collected. DairyNZ also receives funding via Government through a number of its science partnership programmes.

What percentage of farmers need to vote ‘yes’ for the Milksolids Levy to continue?

For the Milksolids Levy to continue, two criteria must be met. First, at least 50% of the Levy Payers who actually vote must vote ‘yes’. Second, the Levy Payers who vote ‘yes’ must collectively produce more than 50% of the total milksolids from all Levy Payers who voted. This means it’s not just about having a majority of voters say ‘yes’ — it’s also important that those ‘yes’ voters represent a majority of the milksolids production of those who participated in the vote.

What is the current levy rate?

4.5 cents per kilogram of milksolids.

What’s my return on the Milksolids Levy I have paid into DairyNZ?

Your levy investment has delivered a wide range of benefits, often in partnership with others. An independent economic evaluation recently measured the return on investment from your milksolids levy from 2020/21-2025/26. The key finding was that $341m of levy revenue generated an estimated $2.98bn of value, which is the equivalent of 26c/kgMS/year – a 7x return on investment. Both the full and summary reports are available online at dairynz.co.nz/levy

What happens if the vote results in a ‘No’?

A ‘No’ vote means the Milksolids Levy would stop, leading to the wind-down of DairyNZ. The sector would lose its unified voice, central funding for research and advice, and the ability to co-invest with government. Responses to challenges would become fragmented and costlier. Other levy-supported initiatives like Dairy Women’s Network, industry awards, and programs like OSPRI and TBfree would also be affected.

What happens if there is a ‘Yes’ Vote?

A ‘yes’ vote will ensure the dairy industry is better positioned to tackle future challenges and access opportunities. A ‘yes’ vote provides stability and certainty for the sector to keep tackling shared challenges and opportunities together.

Who can I contact if I don’t receive my voting pack?

Electionz.com or phone the Voting Helpline on 0800 666 042.

Where can I find more information on the DairyNZ Milksolids Levy vote?

The DairyNZ website has detailed information about the Milksolids Levy, the levy vote, what it means for farmers and the broad range of work DairyNZ does with the levy.

How is my vote on the Milksolids Levy and personal information protected?

Your vote in the Milksolids Levy Vote 2026 is confidential.

DairyNZ has appointed Electionz.com to deliver the Levy Vote process on its behalf. Electionz.com will not disclose your vote to DairyNZ or any other party in a way that will identify you.

You can find out how DairyNZ collects, manages and uses personal information here.

You can find out how Electionz.com manages and protects your information by clicking on the “Privacy Policy and Security Statement” at the bottom of the Electionz.Com website.

What were the 2020 levy results?

69% of farmers voted yes (74% of milksolids).