We specialise in sustainable rural development and particular ecoagriculture. "Ecoagriculture is both a conservation strategy and a rural development strategy. Ecoagriculture recognizes agricultural producers and communities as key stewards of ecosystems and biodiversity and enables them to play those roles effectively. Ecoagriculture applies an integrated ecosystem approach to agricultural landscapes to address all three pillars, drawing on diverse elements of production and conservation management systems. Meeting the goals of ecoagriculture usually requires collaboration or coordination between diverse stakeholders who are collectively responsible for managing key components of a landscape." (EcoAgriculture partners).

Coordinated the preparation of a strong research bid(s) from the organic sector in the 2007 FRST founding round and investigated the opportunities for the 2008 FRST funding round ,including raising funds . To communicate, coordinate and facilitate as per R & D Framework.Explored and Implemented R&D Framework and Knowledge and Experience management system. Adopted by the OANZ board in 2008.Achievements:Identified, prioritized, liaised and communicated with relevant organic sector R&D stakeholders with the result that OANZ is now a recognised party in the New Zealand Research and Development arena. Developed OANZ R & D presentations and discussed these with relevant stakeholders (funders, research providers, industry and producers) with a result that OANZ is now actively influencing R&D strategies on every level (from funders down to producer organisations)Further communications and fine tuning of the OANZ R&D Framework and Strategy through progressive discussions with all committed, active and constructive stakeholders. The main achievement is that all parties approached actively contributed to the process, from funders down to the producers and therefore generated good buy-in into our processes.Developed a R&D programme aligned with and complimenting the Organic Advisory Programme: Experiential Science Programme. This was the practical expression of the R&D framework and Knowledge and experience management system. This programme comprised in its first year several SFF applications with a combined financial support of over a million dollars. An unprecedented achievement in this sector. Successful co-operations as well as fund raising!

Created a successful independent advisory and development centre for ecological land-use based on the integration of education, extension and research and adaptive management. Designed and tutored a variety of courses including NZQA National Certificate in Organic Horticulture.

Lead the development of a national Organic Advisory service that was adopted by the OANZ Board and Council and approved by the NZ government (MAF) for implementation.Lead the developments of a R&D Framework that was adopted by the OANZ board and Council.Developed strong network with all players within the organic agriculture sector including certification bodies, producers and exporters and industry.Further developed ability to trouble shoot and problem solve.

Responsibilities:To advise and facilitate the strategic team of the Wellington City Council on preparing a strategy document for the Regional Wellington Strategy Forum (8 regional councils working together).To assess monitoring and evaluation methodologies for integrated sustainable development.To research and assess the use of Genuine Progress Indicators (GPI) to complement the use of GDP and KPI’s.Achievements:Development of a sustainable strategy implementation plan incorporating GPI, which was adopted by Wellington City Council and the draft Regional Wellington Strategy. Development of a Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) for the Regional Strategy Forum. Developed proposals to progress the Sustainable Living focus area.Assisting with the review of indicators and monitoring frameworks.