Emma Waller
(Nufarm)

Emma is the ANZ Regulatory Lead for Nufarm with over two decades of regulatory expertise across New Zealand and Australia. Emma is a graduate of Massey University with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape for agricultural inputs and a strong network of relationships with regulators and industry peers.

Emma is passionate about making regulatory issues easier to understand and navigate and fostering meaningful dialogue between industry and government. Her strong relationships with regulators and key stakeholders position her as a trusted voice in the industry.

As a member of the APHANZ Board, Emma is motivated by the opportunity to help shape outcomes that benefit suppliers, distributors, farmers, and growers across New Zealand. She believes APHANZ plays a vital role in shaping and supporting the industry, and she is proud to contribute her experience and leadership to its mission.

Sam Higgins
(MSD Animal Health)

Sam is the Business Development Manager for MSD Animal Health’s Bio-Pharmaceutical and Technology business.

Sam has worked in animal and human health pharmaceutical industries for three decades. He has experience in commercial sales, marketing and management roles, as well as integrating manufacturing processes, supply chain and commercial systems within MSD global supply networks.

Sam embeds principles of commercial leadership and sustainability into innovation, communication and strategic development of brands, programmes and solutions to stakeholders. He is enthused by how new technologies and data can enhance production in the primary sector and sustainability across the industry.

Sam is excited about how New Zealand as a country can tackle the global challenges of feeding the world while enhancing animal welfare, plant and environmental management through diverse farming practices. He views the board role as an opportunity to drive positive change and increased relevance for the future of the industry and our members.

David MacGibbon
(Grosafe)

David has worked in our industry for most of his career - as a distributor and manufacturer. As well as the Chief Executive of Grosafe Chemicals Ltd, a NZ-owned manufacturer member, he is a qualified Chartered Director, an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (NZ), and has served on a number of boards - both commercial and not for profit.

David utilises his industry and governance experience to support the activities of our executive, secretariat and board.

With the recent formation of Animal and Plant Health NZ, it is a pivotal and exciting time in our 74-year history. David’s priorities are to focus engagement to help drive improved regulator performance, enable legislative frameworks to support members’ R&D capabilities, and environmental sustainability. David utlitises his experience and passion to progress these components of our strategy and direction.

Darryl Stretton
(Farmlands)

Darryl represents a collective of industry members across New Zealand’s food and fibre sector in pursuit of driving outcomes and ensuring the right advocacy prevails for our industry.

He is strongly connected across New Zealand Ag and hort value chains and is in tune with where markets are heading and what change is required to ensure we remain world leaders in what we do.

As Head of Merchandise for Farmlands Co-operative, he is entrusted with all that constitutes agronomy across the organisation.

Milton Munro
(PGG Wrightson)

Milton brings a strong background in plant science and molecular biology and extensive experience of the agrichemical and fertiliser industries. He is passionate about helping to bridge the gap between academia and the practical realities of the primary industries of New Zealand.

Outside his board role, Milton is the National Technical Team Manager for PGG Wrightson, leading a team of 25 vets, nutritionists, agronomists, soil scientists and researchers working to support the primary industry.  Milton has a strong interest in new technologies including AI and remote data capture.

“Animal and Plant Health NZ is a critical organisation for the continued growth and development for New Zealand’s primary industries. Someone needs to champion the NZ farmers and growers who need the new more sustainable products to farm and grow in the most efficient and effective way possible. I am excited to help be a part of this positive advocacy”.

Melanie Walker
(Zespri International)

Mel is the Orchard Quality Services Manager; Managing the team for the pre harvest programmes – Crop Protection, Residue and IPM for Zespri.

Mel has a deep understanding of how changing regulations affect every aspect of the growing season for New Zealand kiwifruit growers (as end users of agrichemicals). Mel is passionate about ensuring appropriate representation for growers in support of the agchem industry. She is confident that, by working together, we can collectively achieve the best outcomes for growers.

Mel has a family background in Australian sheep farming and NZ market garden horticulture. She also owns an avocado orchard. Mel says that growers are severely under-represented in the rapidly changing regulatory environment, and this is something that needs to be addressed.

At an industry level, Mel aims to create transparent relationships between growers and agchem suppliers and enhance co-operative and collaborative working relationships between them.