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- Home
- About NZDFI
- Our Science
- For Growers
- For Wood Users
- Library
- Contact
Our People
The NZDFI relies on two closely integrated teams to achieve its objectives, along with the landowners who are hosting our eucalypt trials.
NZDFIP Ltd Board
The NZ Dryland Forests Innovation Board includes: Chairman Shaf van Ballekom, Proseed NZ Deputy Chairman John Patterson, Marlborough Research Centre Trust Board member Associate Professor Clemens Altaner, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Board member Ash Millen, Vineyard Timbers General manager Paul Millen Board secretary and financial administrator Kevan Buck, Buck Forestry Services
The Science Team
The Science Team ensures rigorous science is applied to our tree breeding work and to the novel techniques being developed for testing wood quality. Science Team Leader/Wood Scientist Associate Professor Clemens Altaner, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Database Management and Wood Science Dr Monica Sharma, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Remote Sensing Dr Vega Xu, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Eucalypt Health Associate Professor Steve Pawson, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Tree Geneticist Associate Professor Luis Apiolaza, University of Canterbury School of Forestry Tree Breeder and Field Specialist Ruth McConnochie, consultant Propagation Specialist Paul Schroeder, Proseed NZ GIS and Geodatabase Specialist Roger May, consultant The Science Team is supported by Shaf van Ballekom, Paul Millen and Kevan Buck (all Board members).
The Landowners
The landowners hosting our network of over 40 trials are the cornerstone upon which the success of NZDFI vision depends. Their properties are spread across our target north-eastern dryland area and beyond. These landowners and other trial managers are guardians to the trees that are the foundation of New Zealand’s new hardwood industry.