Feeding the world’s growing population

New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is growing.

Optimising food production

Over the next 50 years farmers around the world will need to produce more food than has been grown over the past 10,000 years.

Best use from a limited resource

Fertiliser helps farmers produce food efficiently by replenishing the soil. But fertiliser needs to be used responsibly.

Responsible and sustainable nutrient management

The Fertiliser Association invests in research and tools to ensure farm profitability while minimising nutrient losses to the environment.

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.

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Our people

The Fertiliser Association operates with a Management Board and Technical Committee. Staff are based in Wellington.

Chief Executive - Dr Vera Power

Vera has worked internationally in agricultural research, assessment of environmental impacts and regulation of intensive agriculture. More recently she has had government policy experience on both water and climate change with the Ministry for the Environment. As Chief Executive, Vera drives the implementation of the Fertiliser Association's strategic plan, with a key focus on research, sustainability and the environment, and local authority and central government planning. She represents the Fertiliser Association on a range of external committees, as well as industry and government stakeholder groups.

Executive Manager - Greg Sneath

Greg has an extensive background in the technical aspects of horticulture and agriculture. He holds an honours degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Queensland, and was employed by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture as a Horticultural Advisory/Extension Officer before immigrating to New Zealand. In New Zealand, Greg was employed for seven years as a Technical Manager, Growing Media Division for Yates New Zealand Ltd and was Chair of the New Zealand Potting Mix Manufacturers' Federation.

Greg joined the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand in 2005, and works on a wide range of industry programmes. This includes developing information and resources for farmers and rural professionals, funding and managing research projects, developing submissions and representing to local and central government. He also participates in industry and government panels and working groups, and provides technical support and assistance to the Chief Executive.

Programme Manager/Administrator, Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme - Louise Hargraves

Louise is your 'go-to person' for the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme.

Office Manager - Brenda Kiteley

Brenda ensures the smooth running of the Fertiliser Association, providing office and financial administration support.

Management Board

The Board is responsible for setting the policy direction of the Fertiliser Association.

Board members are:

  • The chair from each member company: John Henderson (Ravensdown) and Duncan Coull (Ballance Agri-Nutrients)
  • The two chief executives of the member companies: Garry Diack (Ravensdown) and Mark Wynne (Ballance Agri-Nutrients)
  • Two technical representatives: Mike Manning (Ravensdown) and Warwick Catto (Ballance)

The Management Board is currently chaired by John Henderson.

Technical Committee

The Technical Committee makes recommendations to the Management Board on research funding. It also provides technical advice to the Board to support programmes of industry good.

Committee members are:

  • Warwick Catto - Head of Research and Environment, Ballance Agri-Nutrients
  • Mike Manning - GM Innovation & Strategy, Ravensdown
  • Sheree Balvert - Nutrient Science Manager, Ballance Agri-Nutrients
  • Vera Power - Chief Executive, Fertiliser Association of New Zealand
  • Ants Roberts - Chief Scientific Officer, Ravensdown
  • Carmen Viljoen - Development Chemist - Industrials
  • Greg Sneath - Executive Manager, Fertiliser Association of New Zealand

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and Dairy NZ funded development of the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP). This industry-wide certification aims to ensure that advisers have the learning, experience and capability to give sound nutrient advice.

Find out more

Lincoln University PhD student wins soil science award

25 January 2022

Final-year Lincoln University PhD candidate Kirstin Deuss is the 2021 recipient of the NZ Society of Soil Science/Fertiliser Association of NZ Postgraduate Bursary Award.

The award recognises the efforts and present (or likely) contribution to New Zealand soil science arising from a doctorate study. It carries a $5,000 one-year stipend.

Kirstin holds a BSC in Biomedical Science from Victoria University of Wellington and an MSC in Horticultural Science from the Technical University of Munich, Free University of Bozen (Italy) and the University of Bologna.

Her postgraduate research has seen her lead a long-term field study on soil and catchment hydrology in Southland. The findings will help understand the role mole and tile drains play in Southland’s unique landscape.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected as the recipient of the NZSSS Fertiliser Association Postgraduate Bursary, it is an honour that I will cherish for the rest of my career,” says Kirstin. “I love working with soils and my career objective is to apply my field, research and management skills towards supporting the sustainable management of New Zealand’s soil resources.”

“My PhD has been challenging but also so rewarding, and this award is a real confidence boost as I prepare to start my new career at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in February. I wouldn't be where I am without the support of my many great mentors, friends and colleagues, who have given me so much of their time and energy to help turn ideas into reality and put it all into the written word!

 “It's truly been the best experience of my life and I am really looking forward to where it is going to take me.”

 Kirstin was nominated by Peter Almond, Associate Professor, Department of Soil and Physical Sciences at Lincoln University. He described her to the judging panel as a “highly adept scientist capable of complex quantitative analysis of soil-hydrological systems”.

“I think she is a deserving recipient.  The prestige of the award would further her goal of securing a position working professionally in soil science in New Zealand so that she can contribute to environmental sustainability of our primary industries.”

Fertiliser Association chief executive Vera Power described Kirstin’s research as “hugely important”.

“The more we can understand what’s happening in our soils and catchments, the better placed our primary sector will be to improve farm management, all while protecting the environment.”  

Helping shape New Zealand's emissions reduction plan

24 November 2021

FANZ has made a submission to the Ministry for the Environment on Te hau mārohi ki anamata - Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future. 

The primary sector has a key role to play in helping achieve global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining food security. This requires low-emission production systems, with increased efficiencies and the use of new mitigation technologies. 

Investment in the development and adoption of new technologies requires a clear regulatory pathway to market. We will need to work internationally with trading nations and also locally with existing qualified networks within the agricultural community for the extension and adoption of new mitigations.  

You can read our submission in full here.


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