Lichfield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates: 38°06′24″S 175°48′41″E / 38.106665°S 175.811339°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| Territorial authority | South Waikato District |
| Electorate | Taupō (general) Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori) |
| Elevation | 237 m (778 ft) |
| Population (2018) | |
| • Rural | 174 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 3482 |
| Area code | 07 |
Lichfield is a rural settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.[1]
The community is centred around the Lichfield Fonterra facility, which opened in 1995.[2] The factory features the largest cheese factory in the southern hemisphere,[3] consisting of separate dry salt and brine salt plants.[4] It also features the largest milk dryer in the world,[5] installed during a major expansion in 2016.[6] The dryer can process 30 metric tonnes of milk every hour, and store 40,000 metric tonnes of whole milk powder.[2] The dryer is used during the peak season, with production varying based on prices.[7] The Fonterra site employs 330 people, with extra staff being stationed there during installations.[5] Almost 90% of the output travels by rail from a covered siding at the factory.[8]
The local Lichfields Lands farm converted from sheep to dairy and beef farming in the 1960s.[9] It is now an Open Brethren operation,[10] donating its proceeds to charity.[11]
South African-born artist Sonnett Olls opened an art gallery in Lichfield in 2019.[12]
A Red Cross health shuttle transports Lichfield residents to health appointments in Tīrau.[13]
- ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Lichfield, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
- ^ a b "Fonterra officially opens world's joint largest milk powder dryer at Lichfield". Fonterra. fonterra.com. 2 December 2016.
- ^ "The big cheese of Lichfield". newzealand.com. Tourism New Zealand.
- ^ Kissun, Sudesh (25 September 2018). "Gold for Lichfield". Rural News Group. Dairy News.
- ^ a b "4.4 million-litre boost from Lichfield dryer". nzherald.co.nz. Otago Daily Times. 19 September 2016.
- ^ Ferguson, Frances (16 February 2016). "Fonterra's Lichfield expansion brings jobs to the region". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ "Another big costly whole-milk powder plant off Fonterra's menu". nzherald.co.nz. Business Herald. 1 July 2018.
- ^ "SH1 Piarere to Taupō recommended programme business case" (PDF). NZTA. September 2016.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (11 January 2019). "Prominent Waikato farmer dies within days of vacation cancer diagnoses". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Nippert, Matt (8 July 2017). "Brethren charities worth $300m under investigation". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Kirkey, Luke (1 March 2017). "Director leaves farm empire for prison ministry". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (9 April 2019). "World renowned artist opens Waikato gallery". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Kirkeby, Luke (26 September 2018). "Putaruru health shuttle feels Tokoroa pressure". Stuff. Waikato Times.