Dr Claire Nicholson (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungnunu)

Claire has a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and after 12 years in clinical practice took on the role of general Manager at Intervet NZ, followed by a business development role at Agrifeeds. She is currently Chief Executive of Sirona Animal Health Ltd. Claire is a Director of Pāmu and Taranaki-

based Māori farming group Parininihi ki Waitōtara. She is on a New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre advisory group and an Otago University project developing new animal health products. Claire is a graduate of the Hillary Leadership Programme, the Agri-Women’s Development Trust’s Accelerator Programme, Fonterra’s Governance Development Programme and was a Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year finalist.

Claire believes we are placed here to be the Kaitiaki (guardians) of our lands ensuring prosperity for future generations. She enjoys water-based activities that the beautiful Bay of Plenty offers, travel, cycling, sailing and skiing with her husband and adult sons.