Our people

The NZAGRC team is made up of people with science, policy, contract management and administration backgrounds. Most are based at our headquarters on the Grasslands campus of AgResearch, in Palmerston North.

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Naomi
Parker

Executive Director,
NZAGRC

Naomi is the Executive Director of the NZAGRC.

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Nicki
Williamson

Executive Assistant,
NZAGRC

Nicki is Executive Assistant to the Executive Director.

Harry Clark

Harry
Clark

Chief Scientist,
NZAGRC

Harry is one of New Zealand’s foremost authorities on agricultural greenhouse gases and their quantification and mitigation. 

Sinead Leahy

Sinead
Leahy

Principal Scientist,
NZAGRC

Sinead works with the NZAGRC Executive Director to help develop and monitor the NZAGRC science programme, leads the Science Team, contributes to policy initiatives, undertakes extension activities and liaises with external visitors.

David Pacheco

David
Pacheco

Principal Science Advisor,
NZAGRC

David's focus is on the NZAGRC international research programme.

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Ackim
Mwape

Policy & Science Relationship Advisor, Africa,
NZAGRC

Ackim helps to implement New Zealand’s engagement strategy with the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) in Africa.

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Chris
Koroheke

Chief of Māori Research Strategy & Partnerships,
NZAGRC

Chris (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngāti Tarāwhai) provides leadership for our dedicated Maori research programme.

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Roiana
Pihama

Senior Te Ao Māori Advisor,
NZAGRC

Roiana is responsible for implementing the NZAGRC's Māori research programme through identifying and fostering Māori-centred research partnerships. 

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Bonnie
Kuru-Brown

Te Ao Māori Advisor,
NZAGRC

Bonnie is an NZAGRC Te Ao Māori Advisor.

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Chevon
Horsford

Te Ao Māori Advisor,
NZAGRC

Chevon is an NZAGRC Te Ao Māori Advisor.

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Liz
Clayton

Contracts Team Manager,
NZAGRC

Liz’s role in the NZAGRC is managing the Contracts Team.

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Heather
Went

Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC

Heather is an NZAGRC Contracts Manager.

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Ashley
Trerise

Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC

Ashley is responsible for managing progress of the individual science contracts that make up the NZAGRC's domestic programme.

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Luke
Cooney

Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC

Luke manages the contracts relating to the NZAGRC's research activities in support of the Global Research Alliance.

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Fran
Page

Administrator,
NZAGRC

Fran supports the NZAGRC contracting and services team.

Kate Parlane

Kate
Parlane

Services Team Manager,
NZAGRC

Kate oversees the finance, infrastructure, communications and reporting functions of the NZAGRC and is supported by a team of expert individuals in these areas.

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Tania
Brown

Project Coordinator ,
NZAGRC

Tania is an NZAGRC Project Coordinator.

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Ashleigh
Sattler

Communications Lead,
NZAGRC

Ashleigh is the NZAGRC's Communications Lead.

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Christiaan
Le Roux

Infrastructure Lead,
NZAGRC

Christiaan is responsible for the maintenance, support and overall management of NZAGRC’s infrastructure investments.

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Debbie
Blakeborough

Finance Manager,
NZAGRC

Debbie is responsible for the financial management and reporting for the NZAGRC.

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Liezle
Moller

Finance Administrator,
NZAGRC

Liezle is responsible for processing invoices for payments and supporting the Finance Manager with invoicing across the NZAGRC programmes.