Our team
Dr Liz Shackleton
Chief Executive
E liz.shackleton@aphanz.co.nz
P 027 235 4446
Liz joined Animal and Plant Health New Zealand as Chief Executive Officer in October 2023.
Her primary sector career spans various strategic leadership roles in biosecurity, regulatory and animal health sectors and clinical veterinary practice.
Her work has included supporting teams and governance functions across private and public partnerships in the primary sector including leading the dairy industry team in the Mycoplasma bovis Programme.
Liz is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand, a veterinarian elected member of the New Zealand Veterinary Council, past president of the Australia New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Pharmacology) and Institute for Strategic Leadership alumnus.
Liz hails from Irish farming background and is passionate about our rural communities and supporting our sectors emerging leaders.
Rachael Prout
Office and Events Administration Manager
Rachael joined us in February 2025 and brings a wealth of public and private primary sector experience and technical, adverse event response, regional events, analytical and executive skills. Her experience has been within the agriculture, animal health and equine industries. Rachael holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours.
Rachael is passionate about the primary sector and those working within and supporting and contributing through her role.
Rachael originally hails from Cornwall in the UK and now calls New Zealand home away from home, after falling in love with the country 9 years ago on her travels with her partner.
In her spare time, Rachael loves to spend quality time on the farm and in nature, hiking the dogs, riding her horse, catching up with friends, booking the next adventure or attending a race day – to get that equine fix.
Linda Lim
Strategic Government Relations and Communications Manager
Linda has extensive experience in strategic communications, relationships and events management. She has worked in a wide range of organisations, leading and implementing effective strategic communications and engagement activities, and managing internal and external stakeholders and media.
Linda joined us in February 2025 from Wellington Water where she was responsible for managing comms and engagement for projects for Porirua City Council and Wellington City Council. Prior to that she was the Communications and Engagement Lead for the New Zealand Productivity Commission. She was also part of Ministry of Health’s response to COVID-19, providing comms support to the Testing team.
Outside of her day job, Linda leads organisation of the annual Lunar New Year Festival in Wellington.
