Staff

WPA presently has 3 staff members.

Chief Executive Jon Tanner

Jon Tanner has spent the last 20 years working in primary industry in New Zealand, Asia, Africa and Europe.  Originally from a farming background, Jon has experience as a science manager, director of public policy and as a CEO of primary industry bodies.  He was formerly CEO of New Zealand’s organic sector body and International Director at the NZ Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.  Prior to that, he was Land Policy Manager with the UK’s Environment Agency and a Rural Advisor with the UK Department for International Development before taking on the role of WPA Chief Executive Officer in August 2010.

Dr Tanner has considerable experience of working on sustainable land use around the world. He has advised land managers, firms and governments on technologies, practices and policies to improve the economic, social and environmental performance of primary industry. 

Jon’s interests lie in enhancing the ability of sectors to add value to commodity products and to grow markets.  He believes that firmly uniting effort across the sector and harnessing new knowledge will ensure that wood processing continues to be a strong contributor to New Zealand’s economic performance.

Jon holds Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master of Science (Distinction) degrees in agriculture from the University of Reading (England) and a PhD (also from Reading University) based on a study of agro-forestry systems in Southeast Asia.

 

Senior Policy Analyst Lauren Walker

Lauren Walker holds a Masters Degree in Geography (Resource Management) and has 10 years of forest and wood industry experience. She has a passion for the industry and our people and has designed and managed a range of projects to improve industry standards and performance. Lauren has worked in corporate roles and as a consultant. She is based in Nelson and is currently contracted to Waimea Sawmillers and the Wood Processors Association.
Some of her career highlights include:
• NZ Wood Industry Training School Feasibility Study – Project Team Member (FITEC, 2008)
• Performance Improvement Manager, Harvesting – (Weyerhaeuser NZ Inc, 2006-07)
• Forest and Wood Industry Qualification Review – Project Manager (FITEC, 2004-05)
• Professional Tree Faller Certification – Project Manager (FITEC, 2004-2005)
• Tropical Hardwood Procurement Assessment – Analyst (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2002)
• FSC Chain of Custody – Project Manager (Fletcher Challenge Forests, 2000)

 

Administration Manager Cara Hunt

Cara is an experienced administrator and is well able to work with the WPA and FTMA members.

As well as providing administrative services to WPA and FTMA members Cara’s role also includes providing administrative support to the Construction Industry Council, New Zealand Institute of Forestry, STIMBR and Woodco.

 

WPA Office

WPA shares its offices with the New Zealand Forest Owners Association and the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association. We would welcome visitors to Wellington (Level 4, 85 The Terrace, Wellington City) and members are welcome to utilise our office space if wishing for somewhere quiet to work between meetings or while waiting for flights.