Board
Earth Sciences New Zealand Board
David Smol
Chair
David Smol was the chair of GNS Science until the merger on 1 July 2025, and is a director of Contact Energy, NZTA, the Cooperative Bank, and Tait International. He chairs the Risk and Audit Committee of the Ministry of Social Development, and the External Advisory Committee of the Department of Internal Affairs, and is a member of the Risk and Audit Committee of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. David was Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development between 2008 and 2012 and led the formation of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as the inaugural Chief Executive from 2012 to 2017.
David has worked across the public and private sectors through his executive and governance roles. He has experience in leadership roles, stakeholder management and organisational change and an applied understanding of commercial outcomes from science.
Mary-Anne Macleod
Deputy Chair
Mary-Anne Macleod was a director of NIWA and AgResearch until the mergers on 1 July 2025, and is a director of DairyNZ Limited, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and on the University of Waikato Council.
She was previously the CEO of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and also held senior leadership roles with the Ministry for the Environment and in international consultancies. Mary has a governance background in local and central government and the private sector. She has a master’s degree in Earth Science and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. Her knowledge and connections across the science and research sector are particularly valuable.
Professor Chris Bumby
Director
Professor Bumby is Chief Scientist (Materials) at the Paihau-Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, and a Principal Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. He has previously held roles on the Climate Change Commission’s Technical Reference Group on Industry, Heat and Power, the Marsden Assessment Panel for Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the New Zealand Hydrogen Council’s Research Working Group. He holds a DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford, and was awarded the 2024 Shorland Medal by the New Zealand Association of Scientists.
Chris brings a strong science sector perspective and international networks, informed by his collaborations with multiple world-leading institutions. In recent years has driven a rejuvenation of New Zealand’s research and development capability in minerals process engineering. Chris also has extensive experience in commercialising public-sector research via both IP-driven startup companies, and commercial research contracts for clients ranging from emerging NZ start-ups to multinational corporates.
Paul Connell
Director
Paul Connell was a director of Plant & Food Research until the merger on 1 July 2025, and is a director of WorkSafe, Environmental Protection Authority, Telarc Limited, WEL Networks Ltd, New Power energy group companies and ETEL Limited. He is an independent member of the Risk and Assurance Committee for Waikato Regional Council and the independent chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for Auckland Council. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Paul has worked through a number of complex public governance issues through his career, including managing chief executives. He possesses strong connections to the information technology systems and regulatory sectors. He brings extensive governance and strategic financial skills, a strong understanding of public accountability and an in-depth knowledge of audit and risk practices.
Peter Landon-Lane
Director
Peter Landon-Lane is the Chair of AsureQuality and was a director of NIWA until the merger on 1 July 2025. He has governance experience in the agri-food, science and trade sectors, and his management career included senior roles at T&G Global, CEO of Plant & Food Research and Managing Director of Fonterra Europe. Prior to that, he was President of Fonterra Japan and had roles in China, the Philippines and Taiwan. Peter has degrees in science and economics and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Peter has a well-rounded knowledge of the science sector, commercial acumen, governance capability and leadership experience. He has a strong understanding of change management and extensive business acumen. He brings extensive governance experience and the ability to bridge science with market needs, understanding of market trends and industry needs and business development.
Paul White
Director
Paul White is a professional director and consultant. He has significant governance experience in both the public and private sector. He is currently a trustee on Top Energy Consumer Trust, the Chair of Ngāi Tūpoto ki Motukaraka Trust, and a director of GNS Science, and Te Matapihi. He was previously a board member of the Housing NZ Board, Health Sponsorship Council, the Canterbury DHB and Top Energy Limited.
Paul has wide experience working with hapū and iwi including commercial entities involved with forestry, dairy and beef farming.
Dr Anne Barnett
Director
Dr Anne Barnett is Head of Product and Marketing at Kry10, a deep tech company pioneering cyber-secure operating systems to protect critical infrastructure.
With a PhD in Physics and over 15 years in roles focused on translating research into impact, Anne led Wellington UniVentures as Chief Executive (2018-2023), establishing 12 spin-out companies and securing over $10M in investment capital for University spin outs. Her governance experience includes directorships across research-driven startups, investment funds, and innovation networks including KiwiNet and Innovation Boosters. Anne currently serves on the board of HTS-110.
Anne is passionate about bridging science and society to deliver maximum benefit from publicly funded research. She brings extensive networks across New Zealand's research and commercialisation ecosystem, understanding both scientific rigour and practical pathways to market application.
Bruce Parkes
Director
Bruce Parkes is a Director of Transpower and consults across the public and private sector. Bruce has worked in senior management roles in Telecom and Contact Energy. In the public sector he has been a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development responsible for energy, resources and the Ultra-Fast Broadband rollout. Bruce was also a Deputy Director General at the Department of Conservation responsible for science, policy and visitors. Until July 2025 Bruce was the General Manager of Resources at MBIE responsible for mining, upstream petroleum, geothermal and critical minerals.
Bruce brings experience in leading and implementing policy relating to conservation science and the minerals sector including geothermal and managing the natural hazards such as volcanic and landslide risks that impact on users of the outdoors for recreation.