Top ag scientist to advise PM
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
LIC chairman Murray King says his board is delighted to have attracted a person of the calibre, background and experience of McNee.
"Wayne McNee has a comprehensive knowledge of agriculture, his passion and expertise evident in the leadership he has displayed as CEO of the Ministry of Fisheries and the integration of that Ministry with Forestry and Agriculture into the Ministry for Primary Industries," says King.
"This appointment is a huge accolade to the role LIC plays within the New Zealand agricultural sector and the economy generally. Wayne is moving from the ministry to what's often called the engine room of the dairy industry.
"We're one of the country's best kept secrets; three out of every four dairy cows grazing on New Zealand dairy farms are sired by our bulls and each year our genetics, information and R&D enable Kiwi dairy farmers to be amongst the most efficient and prosperous in the world.
"LIC has doubled its revenue under the leadership of the current CEO Mark Dewdney to around $170 million per year. The cooperative is positioned on yet another cusp of innovation and growth and it's an exciting time to be welcoming Wayne to take the reins as we deliver yet more innovation to our dairy farmers."
McNee has been director-general for the MPI since November 2010. In 2011 he led the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries to form the Ministry for Primary Industries.
He then went on to lead the development and implementation of MPI's strategy with its vision of growing and protecting New Zealand. The primary focus of that strategy was to double the exports of New Zealand's primary industries by 2025.
Prior to joining MPI, Wayne was chief executive of the Ministry of Fisheries. Among his achievements he led the development of 'Fisheries 2030' a long-term strategy and action plan for the sector.
Before joining the Ministry of Fisheries, McNee was chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) a position he assumed in 2001 after being PHARMAC'S general manager. In mid-2006 he was seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet spending 18 months as a policy advisor primarily on transport, local government and energy policy.
McNee has a BPharm degree (Otago) and has studied leadership and management at Insead Business School, Stanford University, Oxford University and Mt Eliza Business School.
Current LIC chief executive Mark Dewdney is due to retire from the cooperative at the end of May 2013 and acting chief executive David Hemara will remain in that role until McNee joins LIC on July 29 , 2013.
