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BOB MCDAVITT
Bob graduated with a degree in Maths and Computer Science from Victoria University
in Wellington in 1974. He has been a meteorologist since 1975, forecasting for marine,
aviation and the general media around New Zealand and in Fiji. He is a veteran from
two campaigns for the America’s Cup (in Perth and San Diego). As Weather Ambassador,
Bob McDavitt has been in Auckland since 1992, communicating awareness about
incoming weather events, keeping an eye on the impact of weather on special events
and arranging MetService promotions, displays, and exhibitions. He writes voyage
forecasts for sailors cruising around the South Pacifi c and has compiled a book called
the “Mariners Met Pack”. He took over the writing of MetService seasonal outlooks
from Augie Auer in 1998 and continues to keep a keen eye on the weather patterns
for the coming season.
KEN MARSH
Ken Marsh is a scientist at HortResearch, who has worked in the areas of plant
nutrition and carbohydrate metabolism. He now specialises in fruit acidity and is part
of a small group studying kiwifruit genes which affect metabolite production and
kiwifruit fl avour. He has previously worked on metabolism changes which bring
about low acidity in citrus, and currently works on the enzymes controlling quinic acid
metabolism in kiwifruit.
MIKE SPIERS
Mike Spiers is based at HortResearch, Ruakura and works on a range of projects
involving soil quality, plant nutrition and biological disease control in kiwifruit, grapes,
summerfruit, vegetables and forestry. A further area of interest is compost and
potting mixes, especially performance assessment.
SOPHIA MAX
Sophia Max recently gained a 1st Honours Degree in Human Resource Management
at Victoria University of Wellington. She has worked as a seasonal worker in the
kiwifruit industry. She has now headed off to the United Kingdom on her OE.
TESSA MILLS
Tessa Mills has worked for HortResearch for 17 years and is currently working in the
sustainable land use team based in Palmerston North. Currently, her primary focus
of research is irrigation strategy and nutrition of kiwifruit.
GRAHAM WIGGINS
Graham Wiggins has been involved in the kiwifruit industry for over 10 years and is a
past President of the Tauranga Fruitgrowers’ Association. He is a kiwifruit grower and
has run a postharvest facility. He is the current President of NZKGI.
NZ KIWIFRUIT JOURNAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008
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