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Media Release |
Thursday 10 February 2005
MAF Appoints New Quarantine Head
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has appointed a new general manager for its quarantine service.
Ken Harris will take up the role of General Manager, MAF Quarantine Service in May. He comes to MAF from the position of Group GM and Executive Director of NZL Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the P&O Group, comprising businesses in transport, stevedoring and logistics.
Mr Harris’s previous roles at senior executive level include Managing Director of Centreport Ltd, Chief Executive of Port Nelson Ltd and General Manager, Coastal Tankers Ltd.
His academic qualifications include an MBA and MBS from Massey. He has also completed the AMP programme at Insead University in France.
Media contact: MAF Communications Director Brett Sangster on (04) 9882 or 027-247-8777
Background on the MAF Quarantine Service
The MAF Quarantine Service (MQS) is
New Zealand's first line of defence against invasion by pests and diseases that
could devastate the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors. It
comprises approximately 600 officers, stationed primarily at ports and airports
throughout New Zealand. A small number of MQS personnel are also stationed
abroad, undertaking pre-clearance checks on vehicles, fresh fruit and other
products bound for New Zealand.
MQS has an annual operating budget of around $46 million, about 60% of which is funded via Government appropriations. The remainder is obtained through cost recovery.
