Greg Hamill's Last Words as CEO of Maui Milk.
At 5 a.m., coffee in hand, I know our suppliers are already into their morning milking, just as I once was as a dairy farmer. That early start still shapes my rhythm, and it's in these quiet hours I’ve often found the space to reflect and prioritise.
My four years at Maui Milk have been immensely rewarding. Sheep milk is an extraordinary product, superior in many ways to cow or goat milk, and that passion is shared across our industry, from kitchen tables in rural NZ to boardrooms of global dairy companies and formula producers. After some challenging years, I believe we’re on the edge of strong, renewed growth.
Being involved from farm to kitchen table has been a privilege. Coming from a bovine genetics background, I’ve especially valued leading our genetics programme at Waikino Station. In just a decade, we’ve taken average ewe production from 100–150 litres to over 400 litres. With consistent shareholder investment and top-tier imported genetics, we're on track to reach 500 litres by 2030.
Our Southern Cross breed, developed through a focused genetics strategy, selecting for udder health, feet, and local performance, in my view, is the most efficient grass-fed sheep for New Zealand conditions. This progress is laying a strong foundation for our suppliers’ future.
The last few years have tested everyone in non-bovine dairy. I want to thank Maui’s shareholders for their unwavering support. Unlike some in the sector, we’ve operated without taxpayer or government funding, relying instead on strong private backing. That independence has allowed us to remain agile, competitive, and to secure major contracts globally, particularly in China.
As I now step down as CEO, I do so with full confidence in Maui Milk’s future. The company is in excellent hands with our new CEO, who brings deep experience in the industry and a clear vision for the next chapter. I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him for the past four years, and I know he will lead Maui Sheep Milk with the same passion and commitment that has carried us this far.
Maui Milk is well-positioned for the future, and I’m proud to have been part of its journey. I look forward to watching its continued success, along with the broader rise of New Zealand’s sheep milk industry.
Thank you to our suppliers, colleagues, and friends.
Greg Hamill
