New Independent Chair to oversee Plant Pass biosecurity scheme
Plant Pass, Aotearoa New Zealand's voluntary certification scheme promoting plant health and biosecurity good practice in nurseries, has appointed Dave Harrison as the new Independent Chair of its Governance Group.
Harrison succeeds Matt Dyck, who has chaired the Governance Group for two years and will remain as Kiwifruit Vine Health's representative.
Scheme enters significant growth phase
The appointment comes as Plant Pass enters a significant growth phase under its refreshed Plant Pass Checklist Version 2.0 framework. The new Independent Chair role reflects the Governance Group’s commitment to sustainable and robust governance as the scheme develops.
Harrison says his focus will be working closely with signatories and the Plant Pass team to ensure successful scaling of the scheme. The priority is maintaining scheme integrity while reducing cost barriers, streamlining processes and enhancing value for participating producers.
"With Plant Pass, we have a world-class approach to protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's economy, unique natural environment and way of life," Harrison says. "The Plant Pass framework strengthens traceability, nursery hygiene measures and pest risk management. Now, three years after its launch, the scheme is entering a crucial growth phase. It must efficiently and transparently address requirements for an increasingly complex and diverse range of plant production operations."
Bringing depth of experience to biosecurity leadership
Harrison's extensive government and industry governance experience positions him well to support the Governance Group’s oversight of the scheme's expansion.
He brings a wealth of expertise spanning three decades in primary industries, government policy and international trade advocacy, combined with practical biosecurity knowledge.
His career began at the Ministry of Agriculture following his graduation from the University of Canterbury with degrees in Law and Political Science. In 2004, he joined the Meat Industry Association as Solicitor/Policy Adviser, before moving to Meat and Wool New Zealand in 2007 as General Counsel.
From 2010, Harrison led Beef + Lamb New Zealand/New Zealand Meat Board operations in Brussels, before returning to New Zealand in 2016 as Beef + Lamb New Zealand General Manager, Policy and Advocacy, and chairing the GIA Partnership. In July 2025, he established Six Five Consulting, continuing to work primarily in the biosecurity sector.
Recognising outgoing leadership
The Governance Group and Plant Pass team warmly acknowledge Matt Dyck's contributions over his two-year tenure as Chair. Dyck has been instrumental in guiding Plant Pass through its mid-term review, strengthening the scheme's credibility across the sector and supporting significant growth and change.
His leadership, dedication, insight and commitment to New Zealand's plant producers and biosecurity have been invaluable to the scheme's development.
About Plant Pass
Plant Pass is an Operational Agreement (OA) under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response framework.
The GIA is a partnership between primary industry and government to manage pests and diseases that could damage New Zealand's primary industries, economy and environment.
Ten key horticulture sector GIA partners are signatories to the Plant Pass OA and form the Plant Pass Governance Group. NZ Plant Producers Inc (NZPPI) serves as scheme manager, delivering the scheme on behalf of Plant Pass OA partners.