Synlait native tree programme launched by Prime Minister

The team from Synlait Dunsandel today hosted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who launched Whakapuawai, an environmental programme connecting, our people, our farmers, and our community through the planting of native trees. Whakapuawai is a wide-reaching environmental programme that incorporates the establishment of an industrial scale nursery to propagate native plants. The 15-hectare site at Synlait Dunsandel, will be capable of growing more than one million native trees and shrubs annually, and our goal is to plant four million native trees on farms and community land by 2028. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern opened Whakapuawai planting a kowhai, a native New Zealand tree, that now sits alongside more than 1,000 natives already planted. Synlait staff will also receive one paid day per year to plant natives as a way of supporting commitments to our farmers and communities to jointly restore land in Canterbury. Synlait's CEO Leon Clement commented: "We can't solve environmental challenges on our own, but through Whakapuawai we can lead by example and help connect our milk suppliers and community groups to make a real difference. New Zealanders are passionate about creating a sustainable future for our country, and at Synlait, we are in an ideal position to shape the change needed in our industry. It's our purpose to do milk differently for a healthier world, and Whakapuawai brings this to life." "Our customers, and their consumers, have rapidly shifting expectations when it comes to how we care for our planet, people and animals, and Synlait is responding to these demands to ensure a healthier world for all. It's our business to shape a future that ensures agricultural and industry is fit for a better world." The Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor and Synlait staff, milk suppliers and local iwi members at the event. The Prime Minister also visited New Zealand's first large-scale electrode boiler while at Synlait, which provides renewable process heat for company's advanced dairy liquid packing facility. Synlait made a deliberate decision to not build another coal boiler is part of company's bold sustainability strategy announced in 2018, which leads the way to a lower emissions future for New Zealand as we work to reach our goal of reducing off-farm greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2028. BACKGROUND What does Whakapuawai mean? Whakapuawai means "to cause to blossom, develop, flourish, prosper, thrive". It is Synlait's commitment to restoring and regenerating native ecosystems, waterways and wetlands, flora and fauna. It is about drawing people and groups together to improve water quality and restore biodiversity and re-establish mahinga kai - the places and natural resources that are culturally important to Maori and our community. More information For further background about Synlait's Whakapuawai Programme and Electrode Boiler please see the fact sheets released alongside this announcement. You can read more about Synlait's sustainability strategy in our 'Sustainability at Synlait' report released last month. For more information about Synlait visit www.synlait.com or contact: Media Linda Chalmers Senior Communications Advisor - External P: +64 21 951 347 E: linda.chalmers@synlait.com Investors Hannah Lynch Corporate Affairs Manager P: +64 21 252 8990 E: hannah.lynch@synlait.com End CA:00345885 For:SML Type:GENERAL Time:2019-12-12 12:09:16