Our team

For the last 20 years Ian has been providing technical support to producers, nutritionists, veterinarians and other industry personnel. He fills a key role with technology transfer, co-ordinates pork industry seminars and workshops and supplies technical information and expertise. Ian’s recent emphasis has been on welfare, sow housing and environmental issues.

Frances has been involved with the New Zealand pork industry for over 20 years. Her work primarily focuses on those industry matters and activities to support pig farming as a sustainable activity producing New Zealand pig meat that is well regarded and appreciated by New Zealanders. She works closely with New Zealand Pork’s technical advisers and industry veterinarians to ensure policy is soundly based and represents these views to regulators and other primary industry organisations. Current priority matters span biosecurity, animal welfare and food safety / suitability.

Kirsty developed a strong interest in pig production and pig welfare while studying Animal Science at Massey University in Palmerston North. She has been involved in the New Zealand pork industry as a postgraduate student since 2010. After completing a Masters in sow welfare, she went on to complete a PhD in 2016, supervised by Professor Patrick Morel, Ian Barugh, and Professor Kevin Stafford. Her PhD investigated sow and piglet behaviour and productivity in farrowing crates and in alternative farrowing pens in a commercial setting.

For the past two years, Kirsty has been based in the School of Veterinary Science at Massey in a role which involved working with veterinary, agricultural, and animal science students. Kirsty is interested in practical, science-based research that benefits and enhances on-farm practice. She is looking forward to the opportunity to carry out more pig-related research in her new role, also based at Massey, as an Animal Welfare Scientist and Advisor with NZ Pork.

Jeska is a Certified Environmental Practitioner who has over fifteen years’ experience working with leading workplace safety and environmental practitioners to embed safety, and provide environmental and sustainable business solutions for organisations. This work has included a number of roles as a researcher, auditor, consultant, trainer, lecturer, certifier and business owner. Jeska is a registered lead auditor, holds occupational health and safety qualifications and is passionate about supporting others to build and operate world-class, best practice businesses.

Before purchasing his own piggery in 2003, Ian worked in the stud sheep industry. He moved to pigs in 1989 working with PIC and then with Green & McCahill (Auckland) for 13 years. Ian has travelled to Europe, Asia and Australia visiting piggeries and pig farmers. He has attended the European Pig and Poultry Fair and the World Pork Expo in USA (twice). Initially representing Region 1 (Pukekohe) as District Chair, Ian moved to Region 3 (Southern South) before joining the New Zealand Pork Board as a Director in 2010. He has been Chairman since 2011.

Ben is a second-generation Canterbury pork producer. He moved from outdoor sows to a high-tech, high-health, indoor unit on a green-field site in 2007. Ben firmly believes that ‘if producers don’t support New Zealand pork no-one else will’. He is committed to building confidence and trust in New Zealand pork.

David is a pig veterinarian who provides a health and production service to pork producers throughout New Zealand, as well as working on his farm, Hogsback. Before pursuing his consultancy business full time, David was the Senior Lecturer in Pig Health and Production at Massey University with a focus on nutrition, epidemiology, business and statistics. David is committed to pigs, pork and the farmers he represents. He believes pigs should be decently fed, decently raised, decently processed and decently cooked.

Paul has 40-plus years’ experience working in the New Zealand meat industry with 39 of those years directly dealing with pig producers. Paul had nine years with Dalgety NZ, three years with Woolworths New Zealand and two years with Associated Meat Buyers before joining Wilson Hellaby in 1986. In his time with Wilson Hellaby he has worn many hats and assisted in growing the company to what it is today. Paul is currently the Pork Procurement Manager for Wilson Hellaby and sees his appointment to the New Zealand Pork Industry Board as an excellent opportunity to utilise his wide-ranging industry experience, knowledge and contacts for the betterment of the pork industry.