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.
NZAGRC staff
Harry
Clark
Co-Director (Domestic),
NZAGRC
Harry is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on agricultural greenhouse gases and is highly respected internationally as well.
Jon
Tanner
Co-Director (International),
NZAGRC
Jon has a research background in agriculture and environment and has worked in 20 countries ranging from tropical to temperate climates.
Sinead
Leahy
Principal Science Advisor,
NZAGRC
Sinead supports the NZAGRC Director to develop and monitor the NZAGRC science programme, contributes to policy initiatives and undertakes extension activities.
Laura
Kearney
Principal Outreach Adviser,
NZAGRC
Laura looks after the NZAGRC’s extension and outreach programme, aimed at helping people understand agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and how they can be reduced at the farm level.
Nimlesh
Balaine
Science Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC
Nimlesh manages the science contracts that make up the NZAGRC’s domestic programme. She also assists with the NZAGRC’s governance and advisory groups.
Jessica
Somerton
International Science Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC
Jessica manages the contracts relating to the NZAGRC’s international activities in support of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA).
Trina
Bishop
Office Manager,
NZAGRC
Trina is the face of the NZAGRC’s Palmerston North office, providing dedicated administration and office management support to the team.
Kate
Parlane
Project Analyst,
NZAGRC
Kate manages the NZAGRC’s financial structure, reconciling its various revenue streams, managing expenditure and advising on operating procedure.
Ackim
Mwape
Global Research Alliance Postdoctoral Fellow: Policy Support,
NZAGRC
Ackim works closely with MPI, helping them implement New Zealand’s GRA engagement strategy in Africa.
