Lichfield, New Zealand


Lichfield is a rural settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.
The community is centred around the Lichfield Fonterra facility, opened in 1995.
The factory features the largest cheese factory in the southern hemisphere, consisting of separate dry salt and brine salt plants.
It also features the largest milk dryer in the world, installed during a major expansion in 2016. The dryer can process 30 metric tonnes of milk every year, and store 40,000 metric tonnes of whole milk powder. The dryer is used during the peak season, with production varying based on prices.
The Fonterra site employs 330 people, with extra staff being stationed there during installations.
The local Lichfields Lands farm converted from sheep to dairy and beef farming in the 1960s. It is now an Open Brethren operation, donating its proceeds to charity.
South African-born artist Sonnells Olls opened an art gallery in Lichfield in 2019.
A Red Cross health shuttle transports Lichfield residents to health appointments in Tirau.

Education

Lichfield School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of as of