Milk tankers showcased in charity calendar

Which is your favourite milk tanker? April, September, November?

Twelve milk tankers from around the country are the new pin-up models of the Co-op, featuring in the 2026 charity calendar. The brainchild of Transport Dispatcher, Jo Bell, says the Fonterra Tanker Calendar is now in its third year. All proceeds from the sale of the calendars go to charity.

“I got the charity bug a few years ago and decided I’d have a go at making tanker calendars. Initially, we just sold them around the country to Tanker Operators, friends, family and the odd farmer to raise funds for Loving Arms, an organisation that supports families with newborns who may not have everything they need. Last year, we were able to support four charities. This year it’s bigger than ever, and we’re selling the calendars in Farm Source stores,” Jo says.

Proceeds from this year’s calendar sales will go to Fonterra’s Doing Good Together partners, Meet the Need, Regional Hapori Funds, Rural Support Trust, Surfing for Farmers, and Trees for Survival. 

As the tanker calendars have grown in popularity, competition for involvement has also increased.

National Planning and Dispatch Manager, James McCreery, says Fonterra’s tanker drivers are very proud of their trucks and love the opportunity to showcase the vehicles and their work.

“Our tanker operators work nationwide, collecting milk from Cape Reinga to Bluff, and are very community oriented. They go to a lot of events – field days, school events, showing what we do and promoting safety. On Anzac Day, they’ll put poppies on the front of their trucks and take part in parades throughout the year. They’re the face of Fonterra on the road and on-farms,” James says.

“We engaged with the drivers in the off-season and encouraged them to send through photos for the calendar. They loved the idea and the fact that the calendar’s proceeds go back to their regions and their communities.

Jo says more than 150 photos were submitted for the 2026 calendar, which she and James shortlisted before sending them to Fonterra’s marketing team to decide on the final 12.

“They took the hard part off our hands,” she jokes.

The 2026 Tanker Calendars will be available in Farm Source stores from November.