Dr Ron Beatson, of Motueka, ONZM for services to horticulture
Dr Ron Beatson has worked as a Plant and Food Research scientist for over 50 years, producing more than 50 academic journal articles, books, and plant patents. He has led the breeding and genetics of hops in New Zealand and is responsible for 17 specialty New Zealand hops cultivars, and works with brewers and growers to trial new hop varieties. He has been involved in breeding and development of kiwifruit, apricots, and berry fruits, and was part of the team awarded the Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their response to the Psa kiwifruit vine canker. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Hop by the International Hop Growers Convention, is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Science, and an Associate of Honour of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.