The Board

Graeme Sutton has farmed a mix of sheep, beef, dairy and deer in Nelson for more than 40 years. He has also been involved in a number of agribusiness organisations, including in the dairy industry, fertiliser, training and Federated Farmers. He is director of power-lines company Network Tasman Limited and, as part owner of a number of dairy units in North Canterbury, is also a director of Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd.

Mark is a director of RDRML (Rangitata Diversion Race Management Limited) which holds the consents and supplies water to 64,000 ha in Mid Canterbury He is also a director and vice chairman of the Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme, one of three irrigation schemes supplied by RDRML from the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers.

A Federated Farmers policy adviser Lionel Hume brings to the board specialist skills and knowledge in the fields of plant and soil science and Resource Management Act issues and policy. A South Auckland “dairy farming lad” in his childhood, Lionel always had an interest in agriculture.

Hugh Ritchie is a farmer first and foremost. He farms a 1700ha unit in the Hawke’s Bay taking in breeding stock, finishing lambs and cattle, 700ha cash cropping, cereals, seed and process vegetables. The farm is in its fifth season of irrigation with 250ha irrigated. Hugh completed the cal poly irrigation evaluation course through his Nuffield scholarshsip and this formed the basis of the Dan Bloomer lead irrigation evaluation SFF project.

Matt Ross was elected to the INZ board at the annual election process in October 2008. Originally from the Hawke’s Bay Ross, 32, attended Massey University and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agr) in 1998. His wife Julie is a Lincoln University graduate and former Dexcel (Dairy NZ) consultant and he has three pre-school age children.

Sue Scott grew up in a rural environment, mostly in Southland. She says this helped to shape her future career.  After "jumping around" a bit Sue settled into a career in civil engineering focusing on water resource issues.  Her hands-on contact with the irrigation industry started with the Ministry of Works and Development in the 1980's. With the Ministry Sue was involved in policy development and the administration of government-funded irrigation schemes throughout New Zealand.