Contact Us

Tanya Pouwhare – CEO

Tanya is proud to represent an organisation adding value to families & communities, by guiding and supporting the members/employers to raise employment standards, create rights respecting environments that put people at the heart. Tanya believes together, we can foster an employment environment that advances the safety, security, and welfare of all people.

Mike Chapman – Chair

As well as serving as Chair of New Zealand Ethical Employers is the Chair of the Food & Fibre Capability Leadership Group and Forum.  He is a Board Member of the Primary Industry Training Organisation and is involved in fund raising activities for the horticulture, which currently includes tractors for Tonga and the Hepatitis B screening programme for Vanuatu.  He is also a strategic and labour consultant for Seeka Limited.  In semi-retirement Mike is involved in those aspects of the food and fibre sectors that interest him, particularly ethical employment, strategy and labour issues.  Mike offers media commentary and from time to time publishes a blog on topical and sector.  Previously Mike was Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated and of Kiwifruit New Zealand and an inaugural Director Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated.

Aaron Jay – Board Director

Aaron has worked in the Viticulture industry for over 20 years and is the founder and Managing Director of Hortus. Aaron has been a member of a number of industry and regional related governance boards, plus training providers Primary ITO Viticulture IPG, Vakameasina and sits on a number of private companies as a professional Advisory Board member. 

Lewis Ellis – Board Director

Lewis has governance board experience in the health care space, and joined the Horticulture industry in 2018. Currently a grower and run a contracting & orchard management business in the Bay of Plenty. Lewis is passionate about improving employment standards and opportunities for our people within the industry.

Jason Thompson – Board Director

Jason has been involved with the central Otago wine industry for the last 22 years. Currently the owner operator of Viticultura Contracting Ltd and responsible for consulting , vineyard management through to wine making for a large range of client’s. Jason also owns and manages his own and lease vineyards. Jason is very passionate about the Central Otago region and the people working in it.

Nick Bibby – Board Director

The Bibby family have been involved in the RSE Scheme since its inception in 2007. Nick has been involved since 2018 following a corporate career in strategy and finance.