Dr Ian Hall, of Dunedin, ONZM, for services to mycology and agri-business
Ian Hall developed a method for establishing the Périgord black truffle on the roots of suitable host trees. His method was used to establish the first artificial truffle plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. As the inaugural secretary and then scientific advisor to the New Zealand Truffle Association, he was closely engaged with helping growers and the fledgling truffle industry. He has published widely on the cultivation of mycorrhizal mushrooms. His business, Truffles and Mushrooms (Consulting) Limited, researches and provides advice on methods for the cultivation of truffles and other ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. Dr Hall has provided consultation in the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, Asia, South Africa, South America, and the Middle East, and is currently active with research and cultivation programmes in Tibet and Sichuan.