Signed and sealed

Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks (left) and Mataura Valley Milk chief executive Bernard May shake hands during an online signing ceremony last week, linking parties in Gore, Beijing and Australia involved in a2 Milk Company buying a 75% shareholding in Mataura Valley Milk.

The Overseas Investment Office consent allowing the deal to go ahead states the investment would create up to 11 new jobs and retain 78 existing jobs and result in the construction of a new laboratory and testing facilities.

Southern Rural Life understands the new roles focus on ensuring the business has the full capability needed to prepare for and then drive the construction phase.

Six of the new jobs had been filled and recruiting was continuing for the rest.