Chief Executive Sarah Gardner says the Otago Region faces a number of challenges, in particular freshwater, climate change, biodiversity and urban development.

“Dr Everett-Hincks will bring the robust, scientific, evidence-based rigour we need, to tackle these challenges and inform good decision-making in our region.

“Julie is recognised in the community both as someone with outstanding scientific achievements, and someone who is a great ambassador to the farming community. She will be an integral part of our ongoing commitment to protect and enhance Otago’s environment,” Mrs Gardner says.

The new ORC Science Manager’s passion for agriculture was paved when she was born to a sheep farmer and raised in rural South Otago. Dr Julie Everett-Hincks’ rural background, her nationally-recognised achievements in agricultural research and her most recent legal qualifications make her perfectly suited to lead for the Science team.

Dr Everett-Hincks says there is a lot of room in her role to have a real and positive impact on our unique region.

“I’m excited to integrate my science research background with my legal and policy training, to think beyond sustainability now, and look towards regenerating our region for the ora (wellbeing) of future generations.”

After attending South Otago High School, Julie studied at Massey University, collecting a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, Master of Applied Science degree, and a PhD in Animal Science. She has worked for the Wool Board, Southland Polytechnic, and AgResearch at Invermay.

Julie’s work on improving lamb survival won her national recognition and in 2016 she became the first woman to receive the Sir Arthur Ward award from the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.

In more recent years, Julie has completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Otago and worked with Professor Mark Henaghan providing legal advice to the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Gene Editing Panel. She was also appointed as a non-veterinary member of the Veterinary Council of New Zealand in 2018.

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