Monday, 29 April 2013 11:30

McNee quits for LIC

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Wayne McNee is resigning as director general of the Ministry for Primary Industries to take up a new role as chief executive of the Livestock Improvement Corporation LIC.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye have paid tribute to McNee for his 14 years of service as a chief executive in the public service.

"I have enjoyed working with Wayne over the last two years. He has overseen the merger of MAF with the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries to create the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in 2012," says Guy.

"The merger has resulted in savings of over $20 million a year and created a new strategy of 'grow and protect'. MPI now has the ambitious target of doubling exports from the primary sector from $30 billion to $60 billion by 2025.

"Wayne has created great relationships with key stakeholders, both here and internationally. He knows that businesses are the engine room of economic growth.

"I'm sorry to see Wayne go but his new role as chief executive of the Livestock Improvement Corporation will utilise his skills, experience and knowledge. I'm encouraging the SSC to move quickly on finding a replacement and I'm sure this important role will attract a lot of interest.

Kaye says McNee has shown leadership through the merger of several government agencies, including the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, to form the Ministry for Primary Industries. "This has been an important step for improving the overall management of our food systems," says Kaye.

"With food making up more than half of our exports, it has been important to have an integrated agency and someone at the helm who understands the whole food supply chain. Wayne has also helped to build relationships with emerging markets who are interested in our food systems."

More like this

DairyBase and MINDA Link Up to Cut Farmer Paperwork

Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.

Timaru-Bred Bull Takes Out 2026 Mahoe Trophy

An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.

BVD Control in Dairy Herds: How to Find & Remove PI Animals

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is estimated to cost New Zealand's dairy and beef industries more than $150 million every year, yet many of the tools needed to control it are already well understood. After more than 25 years in veterinary practice, Andrew Weir, animal health technical specialist at LIC, has seen firsthand the impact BVD can have on herd performance. We asked him about the role of persistently infected (PI) animals and the practical steps farmers can take to reduce their risk.

LIC: Faster Bull Team Change Reflects Genetic Progress

In the past, a bull could sit comfortably in a breeding team for several years with little change, but today, that’s no longer the case.

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET Wins Sire of the Season Award

Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.

Featured

NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2026: Supreme Champions Named

An Auckland gelato shop and an established New Zealand ice cream maker have both been named Supreme Champions at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2026.

Pork Remains Among NZ's Most Affordable Meats: Stats NZ

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household grocery budgets, new figures show pork remains one of the most affordable fresh meat options for New Zealand families.

Editorial: The Value of Credibility

OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.

DairyBase and MINDA Link Up to Cut Farmer Paperwork

Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.

Kaikōura Families Get School Run Lifeline After Storm

Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.