The Fortuna Group was founded in 2012 by David & Kay Dodunski. They began farming in Southland in 1992, with 216 cows on 125 hectares. With an ability to efficiently produce milk and a passion for innovation, the business grew. Today, the Fortuna Group is one of the fastest growing dairy operations in the lower South Island.
Our business consists of 25 dairy farms and 8 support blocks with over 17,000 dairy cows, spread across 5,464 hectares owned, and 1,726 hectares leased. We have earned a reputation for progressing farming techniques and implementing change, and our operations perform in the top quartile of farms in Southland.
We have a management and governance structure with a shared passion, and with the very same values that have been with us since David and Kay founded Fortuna. It's this, along with a collective sense of purpose, that drives us.
We will continue to grow, purchasing and establishing more dairy businesses. We believe in farming the right way. We are custodians of the land and must ensure we leave it in better condition for the next generation.
OUR VISION
We will be New Zealand's best intergenerational dairy farming business
We want to the best dairy farming business in New Zealand. That means growing the best grass, producing the best milk with the best cows, managed by the best farmers.
It's important that being the best isn't for the short-term. We're taking a long-term position and are committed to making sure the opportunities we create through dairy benefit the next generation, with Fortuna seen as a home for successful dairy farming careers by family members who share the same passion and drive.
OUR VALUES
Proud to belong. Proud to be Fortuna.
We take pride in our work, the role we play in local communities, and in our contribution to agriculture in New Zealand.
We believe in Fortuna and feel a real sense of belonging, knowing we all share same passion for farming and the opportunities provided will provide for our families. Also, we know our actions have a positive impact on local businesses and we take pride from the knowledge that agriculture supports other families and the New Zealand economy.
We Care
We care for our people, animals and the environment. This shows in how treat each other, our cows, and the land we all share. It's important everyone gets to go home safely at the end of each day, the cows physical and mental wellbeing is catered to, and that we continue to act as good custodians of the land, protecting it for future generations to enjoy.
Do What's Right
Do what's right and act with courage and integrity. We don't take the easy option. Our decisions are guided by the ideals we hold ourselves accountable to and our culture is centred on good people making good choices, even if those choices mean we have to work harder.
Find a better way
Find a better way and always look to learn and improve. How we farm today isn't how we'll farm tomorrow. There's always a better way and we encourage continuous improvement, welcome innovation, and look to challenge the accepted way each day.
Own your mindset
Own your mindset and make every day great. We're accountable to ourselves and take ownership of how we show up, knowing that each day has the possibility of being as great as we want it to be.
We succeed together
We succeed together by growing together. It's a team effort, so we encourage and inspire each other to be better, knowing that collectively we can achieve more and be even more successful when 'all the gumboots are walking in the same direction'.
