Better Border Biosecurity (B3) is a multi-partner, cooperative science collaboration, whose research partners consist of Plant & Food Research (host organization), AgResearch, Scion, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and Lincoln University.  B3 also partners with end-user organizations: the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Forest Owners’ Association, Horticulture New Zealand, Federated Farmers and the Environmental Protection Authority.

The research collaboration’s intended impact is to minimize the entry and establishment of invasive pests, pathogens and weeds that threaten Aotearoa New Zealand’s valued flora, including taonga.  This will protect the biodiversity and the welfare of our environment, retain and build value in our important plant systems, underpin investor confidence for sector growth and innovation, and maintain market access for plant-based exports.

B3 collaborators strongly agree that working together with other research organizations enables them to better fulfil their biosecurity research objectives than operating individually.  The B3 research portfolio integrates a total investment of around $7m pa. B3 is committed to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

B3’s Governance Council, which usually meets quarterly, has one member nominated by each of the 11 research partners and end-user organizations. B3 is seeking to appoint a new Independent Chair to succeed the current Chair, who is stepping down on 30 June 2023. We invite applications from candidates with a passion for New Zealand’s biosecurity, who are independent of the partners and parties to the collaboration and who have experience with central government processes, and of working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and can demonstrate most or all of the following attributes:

  • Strong chairing skills, experience with representational boards (whose members may have conflicting interests) and a good understanding of complex, multi-stakeholder, organizational governance;
  • Sound understanding and credibility in New Zealand’s biosecurity sector;
  • An ability to think strategically, lead the Governance Council, run effective meetings that add value to B3, and be a strong advocate among the stakeholders and externally;
  • Experience with central government processes, and of working with MBIE;
  • Success at Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer or equivalent level;
  • Relevant international linkages would also be valuable.

See Independent Chair key responsibilities

For more information or to apply, contact Dr James Buwalda, B3’s current Independent Chair. Applications for this role should reach Dr Buwalda by the end of the business day Monday 17 April 2023.

Email:    [email protected]

Phone: 021 678 318

Mail:      11 Tirohanga Road, RD10

Hastings 4180, New Zealand