Peter O'Hara
Dr Peter O’Hara, of Upper Hutt, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to animal health and welfare. Dr O’Hara has contributed to improving New Zealand’s animal health, biosecurity and animal welfare through his 30 year career in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. He was active in the 1980s contributing to the establishment of the New Zealand Codes of Welfare and the Animal Ethics Committee system for managing animal-based research, testing and teaching. He was the Chief Veterinary Officer and represented New Zealand at the World Organisation for Animal Health. Since his retirement, he has continued to contribute to the field. He has been a member of a government appointed panel to review the management of border services and was a consultant to the Animal Health Board on the revision of the bovine tuberculosis pest management strategy. Dr O’Hara was a member of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology’s reference group on natural ecosystems and is a Trustee of the Wool Industry Charitable Trust.