WE VALUE
Collaboration ⎯ Mahi tahi
We work together across the seaweed ecosystem, with iwi and the entire stakeholder landscape to fulfil our vision.
Integrity ⎯ Ngākau tapatahi
We build trust in our sector through honourable practices and commitment to quality standards.
Sustainability ⎯ Kaitiakitanga
We are committed to ensuring our natural seaweed resources are available for future generations to enjoy, we see sustainability as an integral factor across the economy, society and the environment.
Multiple Knowledge Systems ⎯ Mātauranga
We respect the rich diversity of knowledge that will help build an enduring seaweed industry. Science, Mātauranga Māori, local practitioner knowledge and international perspectives will all contribute to our success.
Future thinking ⎯ Titiro whanui
We think beyond the challenges of today so that we create an enduring industry that is beneficial for our people and place.
Dr Michael Lakeman (Chair)
Michael has a special knack for bridging the gap between science and technology, and the world of commerce and industry. With a keen understanding of both the scientific and business realms, Michael has successfully formulated strategies to integrate cutting-edge technological advancements into commercial applications. His ability to translate complex scientific concepts into viable business propositions has led to the successful implementation of numerous technological innovations across various industries. By fostering collaboration between researchers, engineers, and business leaders, Michael has played a pivotal role in driving forward the integration of science and technology into the marketplace, ultimately shaping the future of commerce and industry.
Dr Haydn Read (Treasurer)
Dr. Haydn Read has found a way to live his best life… as Te Hēteri for Te Whānau a Apanui. He has been a Senior Executive in the Private and Public Sectors for nearly 30 years, in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Dr Read was a founding member of ANZSA. He has a passion for seaweed and believes that its potential for Aotearoa is so large it’s almost unfathomable.
He has a Master’s of Science from Auckland University, an MBA in International Business and Finance from Melbourne, and a doctorate more recently is from Victoria University’s School of Government in Wellington. He has also recently been appointed as a Visiting Scholar (remote) to The Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD) at the University of Ottawa in Canada – as part of a team that provides independent financial and infrastructure advice to the Canadian government. But mostly, he is a farmer from Nukuhou……
Hayley Fraser-Mackenzie (Deputy Chair)
Ceres Organics, Food Cluster Lead
Hayley brings extensive experience in global marketing and trade. She is driven by a deep belief in the transformative potential of the seaweed sector for Aotearoa and is a founding member of ANZSA. With a background spanning commercial leadership, product and brand development, international market engagement and environmental stewardship, Hayley prioritises provenance, sustainability, and quality in building globally competitive products. Hayley leads ANZSA’s Food Cluster initiative.
Richard Laverty (Secretary)
Richard holds a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering (Hons) and a Diploma in Dairy Science & Technology (Post Grad).
His career experience includes research, food processing, high value food ingredient development, international business development and investment attraction, gained from 11 years with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and 22 years with Fonterra prior to that.
He is currently employed as Chief Advisor – Economic Development, at the Ministry of Maori Development in Wellington, working on Maori economic resilience, enterprise policy and strategy and international indigenous collaboration.
Having grown up in Dunedin, he connects back regularly with family in Otago, as well as to Germany where he met is his wife, Jacky. Out of work interests include live music, sailing, skiing, and walking the Miramar peninsular in Wellington (on a good day). He is an active angel investor, involved in governance and growth of early-stage ventures.
Mareike Babuder
Lucas Evans
Lucas is passionate that Aotearoa New Zealand realises the significant economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits which seaweeds offer.
He began his seaweed journey in 2012 and is excited by the energy, focus and momentum which is building for our developing sector.
As Chief Executive Officer and founder of Premium Seas, Lucas contributes to innovative seaweed cultivation and product development projects.
Professor Richard Furneaux
Richard is a Distinguished Scientist at the Ferrier Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington. On 1st February 2023, he stepped down from the role of Institute Director, to pursue research and business engagement activities on a full-time basis. The Ferrier is New Zealand’s leading Applied Organic Chemistry and Synthetic Biology R&D capability, with more than 50 science staff and 20 PhD students, bringing better drugs, materials and technology to the world.
Richard has a particular expertise in carbohydrate chemistry and in the chemical composition and uses of seaweeds. He has co-authored 201 peer-reviewed journal articles, 48 of which have reported studies on seaweeds, mostly those found in New Zealand, and been named as an inventor on 22 international patent families. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, was awarded the Hector Medal in 2006 and the Thomson Award in 2012, was selected as Wellingtonian of the Year in Science & Technology in 2013 and won both the KiwiNet Supreme Award and the Research Entrepreneur Award in 2017.
Clare Bradley
Co-owner and CEO of Agrisea, Founding Chair of ANZSA
With more than two decades of experience working across local and international seaweed collaboration, Clare has focused on creating seaweed opportunities that deliver ecological, social and economic value. She has led the development and research of seaweed biostimulants, animal feed additives and is advancing the world’s first seaweed nanocellulose biorefinery through NanoSea. Clare’s focus is on lifting the entire sector rather than achieving individual gains. She leads the ANZSA Biostimulant Cluster work.
Katherine Short (Communications Manager)
Katherine has a background in marine policy and sustainable seafood. She has extensive experience in multi-stakeholder communications and network building throughout marine management, policy, science, research, and business. Katherine spent nearly 17 years working with WWF, the conservation organisation globally including developing network policy on ecosystem-based management of fisheries in 2001. She completed a Conservation Science Masters in Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services at Imperial College London before co-founding her former consultancy Terra Moana Ltd. They were sustainability advisers to Moana New Zealand and completed 4 projects in the Sustainable Seas Science Challenge.
Current work
Sector Clusters
ANSZA is working with the seaweed value chain in a bottom-up, grassroots manner with the establishment of product “clusters”. These groups of companies and individuals who have a common interest in a particular type of seaweed product or service work together to identify the pre-competitive challenges and opportunities they face in delivering seaweed into those markets. They can therefore pool resources and capabilities to work solve challenges and expand market access. Currently we have active clusters collaborating on Agriculture/Biostimulant applications and Human Nutrition products. Members are welcome to join clusters and contribute to their work.
To get involved with our cluster work, please contact our cluster leads for more information.
Cluster leads:
- Agriculture/Biostimulant – Clare Bradley
- Food & Human Nutrition – Hayley Fraser-Mackenzie
Advocacy
Recognizing the importance of conducive policy and regulations, one of ANZSA’s core strategic thrusts is to work with governments at the central and regional levels to help ensure that policy settings support the growth of our industry. We make submissions on behalf of the industry to government consultations, advocate directly to decision makers to enhance policy settings, and convene broad stakeholder conversations to speak with one voice on matters of importance to the sector.
Advocacy Lead – Michael Lakeman
Member Meet Ups (MMUs)
ANZSA organises meet ups for its members. These are semi-regular online events in which ANZSA delivers information and conversation sessions about topics nominated and prioritised by the members. Examples include navigating seaweed farming regulation, production and hatchery, food safety and more. Content experts from both within and without ANZSA present material and then a conversation and Q&A is held. They are well attended, recorded sessions which are available to members.
To find out more about our upcoming member meet ups, visit our MMU page.
