New Chair, board for Agriculture ITO

New Chair, board for Agriculture ITO

Cliff Tipler, a Senior Principal of engineering and environmental professional services company URS New Zealand Ltd, has been elected chairman of New Zealand’s leader in vocational training for agriculture, Agriculture ITO.

Mr Tipler joined the Agriculture ITO board in 1999 as a representative of the water industry, and has been deputy chairman since 2002.

As well as the dairy, sheep, cattle, wool handling and poultry industries Agriculture ITO is also accredited to manage training for the water, waste-water, reticulation and irrigation industries.

“I see the bringing of environmental and sustainability learnings from the water industry to the primary sector as extremely positive for the future direction of New Zealand's economic power house. “ Mr Tipler said.

“Water is increasingly being recognised for what it is – our most precious natural resource.”

Mr Tipler replaces Tony Wilding, who retired after more than seven years as chair. Board member James Brownlie also retired after six years of service, and two new members were appointed.

Agriculture ITO chief executive Kevin Bryant said the organisation was very fortunate in having Mr Tipler succeed someone of Mr Wilding’s experience and reputation.

“Our two new board members, Barbara Kuriger and Peter Langford, also bring that mix of experience and passion for learning that made both Tony and Jim such excellent industry representatives,” Mr Byrant said.

Mrs Kuriger is a director of DairyNZ and has chaired the shareholder councils of Fonterra and LIC. “One of my passions is seeing people grow,” Mrs Kuriger said.

“I’ve seen people start at the bottom and the get the skills they need to really succeed in farming. Obviously Agriculture ITO has a big part play in that process.”

Peter Langford has been chairman of Agriculture ITO’s West Coast Regional Committee for four years and has been involved in agricultural training for 20 years, tutoring agriculture for The Open Polytechnic in the late 1980s.

"My aim is to see that our industries get the very best training possible," Mr Langford said. "It is important that we meet industry needs, respond quickly to changes in demand, while remaining cost effective in delivery."

ENDS

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