New Zealand’s largest farming enterprise Landcorp – which has its core business in pastoral farming including dairy, sheep, beef and deer – has a new director and chair.

Dr Warren Parker, a former chief executive of Scion – the NZ Forest Research Institute – and Landcare Research, and a previous chief operating officer of AgResearch, has been appointed to the role.

He currently holds a number of board roles including on Predator Free 2050 Ltd, Farmlands Cooperative Society, Genomics Aotearoa and is chair of the Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group. Until recently he was chair of the NZ Conservation Authority. 

Announcing the appointment, Finance Grant Robertson says Dr Parker is one of the most experienced experts in NZ’s primary industries, operating at the most senior levels across sectors as a scientist, teacher, manager and, most recently, in governance roles.

“We are lucky to have someone of Dr Parker’s experience and ability to take over the chair’s role at Landcorp,” says Grant.

The Government’s state-owned enterprise is NZ’s largest agricultural enterprise. Its core business is pastoral farming, running 1.5 million stock units – sheep, deer, beef and dairy cattle – on 126 properties totalling 372,115ha under management.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Shane Jones says effective stewardship of Landcorp is vitally important.

“This company plays a significant role in NZ agriculture and our regions. Dr Parker’s experience across a wide range of primary industries will give him the ability to look across all the work of Landcorp and ensure the shareholder is receiving value for money from our investment,” says Shane.

Dr Parker has a PhD in Animal Science and was previously a Professor of Agribusiness and Resource Management at Massey University, where he spent 18 years in various roles, including supervising a 9000-strong stock unit Riverside Farm in the Wairarapa.