Our History

At the Start

In 1984, five dairy companies formed the South Auckland Independent Testing Society Limited to operate an independent laboratory to test milk samples from farms supplying milk to the companies for composition. The decision was made to ensure that all farmers in the participating companies were treated equitably, and was made possible by the development of new milk testing technology The laboratory was later expanded to include testing for microbiological quality.

By the mid-nineties as a result of companies joining SAITL and amalgamations, the laboratory tested the majority of farms for the central and upper North Island.

Then in March 2004 SAITL took over the milk testing from the Fonterra Whareroa site and in June 2004 the Fonterra Clandeboye Milk Testing Laboratory came under SAITL management as well. The SAITL Clandeboye laboratory was closed in April 2005 and samples transported to the Hamilton laboratory.This means that all Member Company milk is tested at the one laboratory.

And Now

We continue to test farmer payment milk, along with the testing requirements of other dairy companies and small holder farmers in New Zealand.  SAITL strives to be forward driven and are always looking for improvements in technology, methods and tests which meet our strict requirements for quality control and our vision of leading the way in milk testing in New Zealand, and the world!