Dr John Hellstrom, Picton, ONZM
For services to biosecurity. For more than 20 years Dr Hellstrom has worked to establish and maintain high standards of animal welfare in New Zealand, with a strong awareness of its importance for New Zealand’s international trade. Dr Hellstrom was Chief Veterinary Officer from 1986 to 1991 for the then Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and was pivotal in restructuring the state veterinary service, and upgrading and integrating New Zealand’s biosecurity systems. He was instrumental in developing New Zealand’s Biosecurity Strategy and has worked on reviews of marine and freshwater surveillance systems, and research requirements for the fishing industry. He has co-authored a paper on national livestock tracing systems and led a review into managing risks associated with imported foods. He was the Chair of the Biosecurity Council from 1997 to 2004, and is a Director of Biosecurity Limited and Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.