Top ag scientist to advise PM

Dr John Roche is currently the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Chief Science Advisor and he will also be the Prime Minister's representative on a newly appointed Science and Technology Advisory Council. But as part of the deal, Roche will retain his Chief Science Advisor role at MPI.

The new council includes Sir Peter Gluckman, Craig Piggot the founder of Halter, a company that manufactures data-gathering collars for dairy and beef cattle, and Komal Mistry-Mehta who is chief innovation and brand officer at Fonterra. The other members are Malcolm Johns, CEO of Genesis Energy and Merryn Tawhai who has a doctorate in engineering science and who leads a research programme at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.

In announcing the appointments, Christopher Luxon says while NZ has world-class scientists in our universities and research institutes, they're working in a system held back by outdated settings. He says to unlock the full potential of science and technology, there's a need for a sharper focus on commercialisation, better access to global investment, and clearer priorities at home.

He says the Advisory Council, which will be chaired by Science Minister Shane Reti, with John Roche as deputy, is a new initiative to get clear, independent advice to ensure out investments in science and technology are delivering real outcomes for New Zealanders.

"The Council will provide advice on long-term priorities for government-funded science and innovation. They will help identify areas of focus that will have the greatest benefit for Kiwis and our economy.

"I also expect them to provide to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders," Luxon says.

Luxon describes the new advisory council members as highly capable individuals who understand both the science and economic imperatives. He says they are prepared to make the bold calls needed to ensure the system is future-focused, outcome-driven and aligned with our economic goals.

'A Huge Honour'

Dr John Roche is one of NZ's most respected agricultural scientists. He previously worked for Dexcel and later DairyNZ as a principal scientist before joining MPI in 2018. He is also an adjunct professor at Auckland University's School of Biological Sciences, and he's also held science appointments in Ireland and Australia.

Born in County Kerry in Ireland, Roche studied and obtained his doctorate in animal nutrition at the prestigious University College of Dublin, UCD, which has a strong agricultural department and its staff and NZ scientists have many joint projects. He also has a Masters in farm systems and pasture management.

In his role at MPI he led the task force to deal with M. bovis and more recently headed up MPI’s ‘On Farm Support’ (OFS) team. This and other successful ventures are due at least in part to his strong Irish connections.

The OFS initiative is designed to get MPI more involved at the grassroots level of farming, to better understand the needs of farmers and to bring them to the notice of his colleagues and government. It is modeled on the work done by Teagasc, the Irish agricultural institute that operates in a similar way to what the old MAF did many years ago.

The OFS team has played a successful facilitation role in the rural community but sadly it’s likely that John Roche will have to give up the directorship of that team when he steps into his new role.

Roche is an affable individual who comes to the role with strong scientific credentials and real world, on-the-ground experience. He is a regular contributor to science conferences both in NZ and internationally and has published more than 150 peer-reviewed science journal articles and book chapters. In all these roles he is regarded as a brilliant communicator of science to both his peers and farmers.

In his new roles he will have his work cut out as the government sets sail on a growth agenda with agriculture being a key driver. At the same time the merger of the ag-related CRI’s will come into effect and expect Roche and the Advisory Panel to keep a close eye on this.

When the announcement was made Roche was back home in Ireland but in a statement said, as someone who has dedicated their career to research and science, it was a huge honour to be appointed to the role.

He says he’s looking forward to working closely with members of the PM’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council and is confident the council’s independent advice will ensure taxpayer-funded science and innovation delivers real outcomes.

“I’m pleased that I will also be able to continue in my role as the chief science adviser at MPI and have thoroughly enjoyed the three years I have had leading the establishment and growth of MPI’s regional On Farm Support team.”

Roche says he’s especially enjoyed spearheading the new Science for Farmers collaboration between MPI and key research partners. He says this has brought together leading scientists to regional field days to talk directly with farmers about research and innovation that’s helping to deliver gains on-farm.