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.
Nicki
Williamson
Executive Assistant,
NZAGRC
Nicki is Executive Assistant to the Executive Director.
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
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
Principal Science Advisor,
NZAGRC
David's focus is on the NZAGRC international research programme.
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.
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.
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.
Liz
Clayton
Manager, Science Contracts Team,
NZAGRC
Liz’s role in the NZAGRC is managing the Contracts Team.
Ashley
Trerise
Science Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC
Ashley is responsible for managing progress of the individual science contracts that make up the NZAGRC's domestic programme.
Luke
Cooney
Science Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC
Luke manages the contracts relating to the NZAGRC's research activities in support of the Global Research Alliance.
Antonia
Crisford
Science Contracts Manager,
NZAGRC
Antonia is a Science Contracts Manager for the NZAGRC.
Fran
Page
Science Contracts Coordinator,
NZAGRC
Fran supports the NZAGRC contracting and services team.
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.
Christiaan
Le Roux
Infrastructure Lead,
NZAGRC
Christiaan is responsible for the maintenance, support and overall management of NZAGRC’s infrastructure investments.
Debbie
Blakeborough
Finance Manager,
NZAGRC
Debbie is responsible for the financial management and reporting for the NZAGRC.
Liezle
Moller
Finance Administrator,
NZAGRC
Liezle is responsible for processing invoices for payments and supporting the Finance Manager with invoicing across the NZAGRC programmes.