In the next few issues of the Bulletin, we’ll be sharing more about our team, the roles we have, and how each of us interact with you, our readers and growers, in our day-to-day activities.

First cab off the rank for introductions is Andrew McConnell.

I’m the National Operations & Compliance Officer here at KVH.

I’ve been in the role since early 2022 and have a wealth of experience in biosecurity, pest management, and risk management.

I’ve worked across the private sector, central, and local government, and most recently, I was a Senior Biosecurity Officer at Waikato Regional Council, where I managed large pest animal control and eradication projects. Fun fact - in a past life I was also a Quarantine Officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries in Auckland where I inspected items coming into the country for biosecurity risks. Also, during the last Queensland Fruit Fly incursion in 2019 I was seconded to manage the movement of risk goods into and out of the Controlled Areas.

I’m no stranger to the kiwifruit industry though. I worked at Aongatete Coolstores in production and technical roles, and I dabbled in running their KiwiGreen and Psa programmes.

I joined KVH when I returned home to Mount Maunganui after many years out of the region, and the best part of my role is the awesome collaboration I see every day. I get to work with regional councils and landowners on the national wild kiwifruit control programme and manage the movement of risk material throughout the country. It’s exciting to be with dedicated people who want to do everything they can to protect the industry and the environment.