NZ Dairy Executive Charged in $276K Fraud Allegation

Indonesia 25.08.2025

Sourse: dairynews.today

In a significant scandal affecting the New Zealand dairy sector, Simon Stewart, once a group market manager at Open Country Dairy, has been charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over allegations of receiving financial kickbacks.

NZ Dairy Executive Charged in $276K Fraud Allegation

The company is known as the world’s second-largest exporter of whole milk powder. Stewart is accused of accepting over $250,000 in secret kickbacks from an Indonesian customer, PT Anta Tirta Kirana, from April 2019 to October 2023, highlighting a substantial breach of corporate integrity.

The SFO's case is based on Stewart allegedly receiving 27 illicit payments totalling exactly $276,668.92 in return for sensitive data sharing. Notably, Open Country Dairy itself flagged the issue after internal audits, showcasing its commitment to stringent corporate governance.

Legal proceedings are underway, with Stewart having already appeared in court facing charges under the Secret Commissions Act 1910. This case, pivotal for the international dairy community, illustrates critical lessons in corporate vigilance and ethics, emphasizing the necessity for robust internal controls in global agribusiness entities.

The outcome of this legal action, due to continue in October, is set to impact future accountability standards in corporate agribusiness roles.