Anchor was established by Henry Reynolds, an English immigrant who settled in New Zealand. In the 1880s, Reynolds built a dairy factory in Waikato, producing high-quality butter from locally sourced milk.

According to the company’s history, the Anchor logo was inspired by the tattoo of an anchor on the arm of one of Reynolds’ workers (often described as a sailor or farm worker). The anchor symbol represented strength, safety, and reliability, qualities that Reynolds wanted associated with his butter. [2]

Early Milestones

• 1886 – Anchor brand officially established.

• 1888 – Anchor butter won a Gold Medal at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, helping establish its reputation.

• 1896 – Reynolds sold Anchor to the New Zealand Dairy Association.

• 1901 – Anchor expanded into milk powder production.

• 1920s – Anchor became one of the leading butter exporters to the United Kingdom.

• 2001 – The New Zealand Dairy Group merged to form Fonterra Co-operative Group, bringing Anchor under Fonterra’s portfolio. [3]

For many years, Anchor was one of the flagship consumer brands of Fonterra Co-operative Group, New Zealand’s farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

In 2026, Fonterra completed the sale of its global consumer business—including the Anchor brand in many markets—to the French dairy company Lactalis, while maintaining other parts of its business focused on dairy ingredients and foodservice. Ownership and branding arrangements can vary by region. [4]

Anchor promotes dairy as a source of everyday nutrition, emphasizing:

• Natural dairy goodness

• High-quality New Zealand milk

• Care throughout the production process

• Nutrition for families

• Long-standing dairy expertise

Its global slogan centers around the idea that “goodness feeds greatness.” [5]

Anchor’s portfolio includes more than 160 dairy products, although availability differs by country. [6]

Milk Products

• Full Cream Milk Powder

• Instant Full Cream Milk Powder

• Fresh Milk

• UHT Milk

• Low-fat Milk

• Skim Milk

Butter

Anchor butter is among the brand’s most iconic products and remains a leading export from New Zealand.

Available in:

• Salted Butter

• Unsalted Butter

• Spreadable Butter

Cheese

Anchor produces a wide variety of cheeses, including:

• Cheddar

• Mozzarella

• Processed Cheese

• Sliced Cheese

• Cream Cheese

Cream

• Whipping Cream

• Cooking Cream

• Fresh Cream

Foodservice Products

Anchor also supplies bakeries, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and food manufacturers with dairy ingredients including butter, cream, cheese, and milk powders.

Anchor has been present in the Philippine market for decades and is recognized as a premium New Zealand dairy brand. Products commonly available include:

• Full Cream Milk Powder

• Butter

• Cheese

• UHT Milk

• Fresh Milk

• Cream

On Lazada Philippines, Anchor products are typically listed in the Groceries category and are offered by both official and authorized sellers.

In Southeast Asia, Fonterra has described Anchor as one of its principal dairy brands in markets including the Philippines and Malaysia. [7]

Anchor sources milk primarily from New Zealand dairy farms. Historically, the brand emphasized milk from pasture-raised cows and vertically integrated quality control from farm to finished product. [8]

Anchor highlights several quality principles:

• Farm-to-table quality management

• Strict dairy processing standards

• Product traceability

• International food safety compliance

• Continuous innovation in dairy production

The company refers to this commitment as “Care at Every Step.” [9]

Anchor products are sold across:

• New Zealand

• Philippines

• Malaysia

• Singapore

• Indonesia

• China

• South Korea

• Middle East

• Pacific Islands

• Sri Lanka

• Various other international markets

The exact product lineup differs by country. [10]

Anchor is known for:

• More than 135 years of dairy heritage

• New Zealand origin

• Extensive international distribution

• Broad portfolio of dairy products

• Strong presence in both retail and foodservice markets

• The Anchor logo is believed to have been inspired by an anchor tattoo seen on one of Henry Reynolds’ workers. [11]

• Anchor butter was one of New Zealand’s earliest internationally recognized dairy exports.

• The brand has expanded from a single butter product to a portfolio of over 160 dairy products sold worldwide. [12]

1. Our Heritage

2. Our Heritage

3. About Us

4. New Zealand’s Fonterra to sell consumer business to Lactalis for $2.2 billion

5. Our Brands | Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam

6. About Us

7. About Us

8. Our Heritage

9. Our Brands

10. About Us | Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam

11. About Us – Buy Fonterra Merchandise – Fonterra Branded Accessories For Purchase