BioGro Board of Directors

Charles Hyland

Charles is a soil scientist and biogeochemist who moved to NZ in 2013 after working at Cornell University in the US for over a decade.  Organic agriculture has always been central to his work and worldview. 

Soil & Health Representative (Shareholder)

Clare Morgan (Organic Initiative)

Clare is the Chief Executive Officer of Organic Initiative, a company committed to providing sustainable, organic products that reduce environmental impact.

As CEO, she leads Organic Initiative’s mission to offer eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products, with a focus on women’s health and sustainability. Clare is dedicated to integrating ethical business practices and has spearheaded initiatives that promote environmentally conscious choices, championing a future where organic living is accessible to all.

Health & Body Care Representative

David McNeill

David is passionate about organic farming, healthy soil, clean waterways, and protecting native forests. He has experience developing a productive lifestyle block with avocados, orchards, regeneration plantings, vegetable gardens, and waterways, along with the many tasks of transforming land into a sustainable home. In addition to his rural interests, David runs an IT service business, which helps fund his land management. With a strong background in accounting and financial management, supported by his degree, he brings valuable skills in business software and financial strategy.

David is committed to supporting local supply chains that provide fresh, organic produce to communities across New Zealand. He actively networks with local groups, exploring how they organise organic sharing and create resilient, sustainable systems.

Soil & Health Representative (Shareholder)

Jon Merrick (Seeka)

Jon has his feet firmly on the ground, understanding that the answer always lies in the soil, whether you’re a plant, animal or company. With a background in all, raised on a dairy farm and then into life as an organic Kiwifruit orchard manager and owning and running a successful corporate team building company. Jon’s passion is cultivating and not of the green kind but creating an environment where seeds can grow and flourish and reach its/their full potential, and yes, the answer is in the soil. Jon is chair of FAB families achieving balance non-profit organisation working with families in need. Jon is also the exec of COKA (Certified Organic Kiwifruit Association) and the chair of the BioGro Impartiality Committee.

Horticulture Sector Representative

Peter Harris (Independent Director) (Chair)

Peter is a chartered independent director and chartered surveyor, with over 25 years expertise in governance, strategy, and Board advisory. He’s held roles as an independent Non-Executive Director for Crown-funded entities, co-operatives, agri-businesses and engineering consultancy firms. He has chaired a number of these boards and has been involved in developing national and international governance and technical standards. He has been involved in the development of a range of export strategies and branding for New Zealand based manufacturing businesses.

Peter specialises in governance advisory and leadership mentoring. Outside of work, he is a family man, passionate about organic and regenerative farming techniques, enjoys beekeeping, coaching football, supporting the Canterbury Crusaders, and collecting books on polar exploration.