The Spring Sheep – Sheep Milk story

Spring Sheep New Zealand aims to deliver the pure nutritious goodness of grass-fed New Zealand sheep milk to people all over the world.

Spring Sheep Milk Co. was started with a clear aim to do better dairy and, to provide a tastier, gentler and more nutritious alternative to goat or cow’s milk.

We are dedicated to looking after our animals, our people and the land we farm as proud custodians. We’re confident you’ll appreciate the benefits of drinking a gentle and nutritious milk from our healthy sheep.

Quality New Zealand sheep milk products, from an ideal partnership

Pāmu and SLC jointly own Spring Sheep Milk Co. – home of Spring Sheep New Zealand. We brought together both organisations’ expertise, to create the best pastures, employ the best farm practices as well as process and deliver top quality products for you to enjoy.

Pāmu is owned by the New Zealand Government and is New Zealand’s largest farmer with over 1.6 million stock units producing milk, beef, lamb, venison and wool for supply to global partners and customers.

Pāmu's farming philosophy guides Spring Sheep Milk Co’s farming practices – we care for our animals, we employ best in class farm management practices and we farm to ensure that our environment is left in excellent conditions for our future generations.

SLC is a marketing company that specialises in taking the very best New Zealand products to consumers all over the world. Small and agile, SLC has a track record in providing specialist skills, experience and resources to ensure that only the best products leave New Zealand shores and that they are tailored and refined to meet the needs of our global customers and consumers.

Visit Pāmu

The Spring Sheep Team

Our Girls. Here are just a few of our beautiful sheep enjoying the fresh green grass, warm sun and clean air on our farm. Running around after them is a small, committed and very talented team of people…

Nick Hammond

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER

Nick Hammond is the CEO of Spring Sheep Milk Co., stepping into the role in 2021. Nick is a natural leader and is described as an entrepreneur and innovator by those who work with him. Nick has an impressive breadth of knowledge across genetics, farm systems, processing and innovation. His strong business acumen has propelled Spring Sheep Milk Co. from a start-up to a high growth business. Nick is qualified in NZ as both a Chartered Accountant and Lawyer, and has been recognised on the national stage for his innovation. His experience includes PwC and Gallagher Group. He is also a Director on the Infant Nutrition Council for Australia and New Zealand.

Scottie Chapman

CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Scottie’s passion is designing and enthusiastically implementing international sales strategies. He likes dabbling in strategy, branding and big-picture stuff, but the truth is, Scottie loves building businesses with great products and he’s good at it. Scottie has a Bachelor of Commerce.

Andrea Wilkins

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Andrea is our brilliant marketer and equally as quick-witted as she is creative, she is the driving force behind the brands. Andrea has extensive experience in marketing and a couple of innovation success stories under her belt. Her goal is to create a truly global sheep milk brand that New Zealand can be proud of. Andrea has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Nutrition.

Shane Topp

GENERAL MANAGER – SALES

Shane is our key connector and partnership maker. With over 20+ years of senior sales experience, his mission is to take our sheep milk products to the world. A master negotiator and relationship builder, Shane establishes the best deal for all parties involved. While he is frequently earning Airpoints from preaching the benefits of sheep milk to the globe, Shane can otherwise be found golfing on the West Coast links of Auckland.

Thomas Macdonald

GENERAL MANAGER - MILK SUPPLY

On the outskirts of Hamilton, Thomas grew up living and breathing farming, and his innate love of numbers naturally evolved into a passion for New Zealand agribusiness. Thomas runs the Spring Sheep Milk Co. farm development, farm operations and on-farm R&D programs, as well as managing the Farming Systems work-stream under the Sheep – Horizon Three, NZ Government Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) program. On any given day, he collaborates with genetics providers, research institutions, innovation organisations, farming operators, food processors and industry governance, with a long-term vision to drive innovation for our sheep milk industry to thrive on a global scale

The Spring Sheep Board of Directors

Joining Scottie on the board is…

Michael Ahie

CHAIRMAN

Of Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine and Ngāti Ruanui descent Michael is dedicated to helping create the commercial and cultural success stories that help New Zealand organisations thrive. Nimbly straddling a number of high profile roles in academia and the public and private sector, Michael lists Chancellor of Massey University, Chair of Plant & Food Research and the Inland Revenue Risk & Assurance Committee amongst his responsibilities. He is the steady hand on the tiller of the Spring Sheep board and revered by his colleagues for his clear-thinking pragmatism and calm Bond-like demeanour. Michael received his First Class Honours degree from Massey University.

Peter McClure

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR

Peter is the director with the in-depth dairy expertise and arguably the best beard. Most recently he was managing director of Fonterra New Zealand and prior to that of Lion Breweries and of SC Johnson and Son. He now splits his time between directorships and his roles as Board Chair of World Vision NZ and as a director on the board of World Vision International. Between surf trips, Peter plays a vital role advising the team about the various intricacies of fast-moving consumer dairy goods - a very special beast. In 2014 Peter was awarded Member of the NZ Order of Merit for his services to industry, and to philanthropy.

Steve Carden

CHIEF EXECUTIVE – PĀMU

Steve is a curious chief – he is an author, start-up entrepreneur, management consultant, seed lover, innovator – with a passion for a strong New Zealand. A provocateur of ‘the norm’, Steve provides thought leadership and challenges to get the best thinking on the table and then actioned for results. Steve has a Bachelor of Law, a Bachelor of Arts and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Lain Jager