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Mark Piper
As of 1 May, Plant & Food Research has a new chief executive in Mark Piper.
Board chair Nicola Shadbolt says they were happy to appoint Piper, who has 30 years global experience in the food and primary sectors, from a wide field of high calibre applicants.
"We are thrilled with the calibre of people who came forward wanting to be part of our organisation. This is testimony to the work of our people and our reputation for high quality, impactful science," she says.
"Mark's passion is clear and he takes great energy from its potential to create a positive and sustainable future. I know Mark will lead Plant & Food Research with innovation, integrity and respect."
Piper has previously worked at Fonterra with the last five years as a research and development director along with international relations in Japan and America. Piper takes over from David Hughes, who announced his retirement in late 2022. Hughes will remain on board throughout May in an advisory capacity.
A five-year New Zealand government-funded project to help Viet Nam build a more lucrative passionfruit industry was formally launched by the Prime Ministers of Viet Nam and New Zealand this week.
A recent Plant & Food Research study comparing the DNA of trees commonly called manuka in New Zealand and Australia has found such significant genetic differences between the two that the researchers are now recommending the two plants be designated as different species.
The inaugural New Zealand Wine Centre Scientific Research Conference was designed “by researchers for researchers”, says co-organiser Dr Stewart Field, Viticultural Researcher at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology .
A leading Plant and Food Research scientist is pleasantly surprised at how many apple trees in Hawke's Bay have recovered from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and other rains that hit the region this year.
OPINION: On their second date, my mother, then 17, told my father that she was a socialist. His response was that he was a conservative, so that would mean that their children would be liberals!
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
A five-year randomised survey of herbicide resistance on New Zealand arable farms has found widespread high levels of resistance - with 71% of farms affected in the worst-hit region - South Canterbury.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
