Liz Shackleton has been appointed as the new chief executive of Animal and Plant Health New Zealand, effective from 30 October 2023.
Originally from Ireland, Shackleton grew up farming and started her career as a rural veterinarian in the Waikato and Wellington regions. Having held leadership roles in MSD Animal Health’s regulatory areas, Shackleton has been leading the DairyNZ Biosecurity team including the Mycoplasma bovis Programme team since 2018.
Co-president of Animal and Plant Health NZ Vanessa Macdonald said that Shackleton’s wealth of experience across public and private sectors will be instrumental in implementing the organisation’s strategy of prioritising sustainable agriculture through ensuring the health of crops and animals.
Shackleton says she is excited about the opportunity to lead the organisation, given the critical role that healthy crops and animals play in safeguarding our sustainability.
Animal and Plant Health NZ says the country’s primary sector generates $55 billion in export earnings. The membership association says it works closely with government agencies, industry groups and other stakeholders to help bring the necessary innovations to manage pests and diseases so that NZ food can be grown sustainably, efficiently and effectively.
