The 2010 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are being officially launched by Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden at a function in Pokeno on Thursday. The occasion is the regional launch of the Auckland Hauraki competition and is being held on a Matangitangi farm.

The Dairy Industry Awards Trust is planning other regional launches at a new farm dairy, a robotic dairy, LIC headquarters, an A&P Show, a golf club and some pubs.
The competition is run in 12 regional areas with prizes in each area for Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year, and Dairy Trainee of the Year with all regional winners going forward to a national final in May.
Entries close on December 24 and entry forms can be downloaded at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz