Meat processing company Silver Fern Farms is seeking a time extension for official approval of its controversial deal with a Chinese company.
Silver Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett (right) and chief executive Dean Hamilton. Photo: Radio NZ / Ian Telfer
It also wants to defer a special meeting called by unhappy shareholders.
The joint venture with China's biggest meat processor, Shanghai Maling, was approved by a majority of shareholders last October but still needs government and Overseas Investment Office approval.
Chief executive Dean Hamilton said more time was needed to provide the required information and the parties were discussing an extension to the deadline.
A group of 80 shareholders has forced a second special meeting on 11 July, but Mr Hamilton said the company wanted to defer that to give shareholders more time to review the deal.
