Kelvan Smith

Kelvan Smith has a strong primary sector and biosecurity background, having recently chaired the governance group that oversaw the eradication of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis prior to the transfer of the programme to OSPRI. He currently chairs the New Zealand Food Safety Advisory Board, is the MPI Observer on the OSPRI Board and a director of Overseer Ltd.

Kelvan has had an extensive senior executive career in both the core public sector and the state-owned enterprises sector and has held Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer roles during his career, including 13 years with AsureQuality.

After the Christchurch earthquakes Kelvan joined the senior leadership team of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) and following the winding down of CERA, he took on a leadership role with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) leading the group coordinating the transition of recovery and regeneration leadership from central government to local institutions.

In the voluntary sector, Kelvan is an elected member of the Order of St John Priory Chapter and he previously served 7 years on the St John South Island Region Trust Board, including a period as chair. He is also an appointed member of the St John Risk and Audit Committee and holds the rank of Commander in the Order of St John.