Brent Kleiss joined NZPork as policy manager last year and will begin his new role in May.
Brent Kleiss has been appointed chief executive of NZPork, the statutory industry body working to support New Zealand’s commercial pig farmers.
Kleiss joined NZPork as policy manager last July, bringing widespread experience in the primary sector to the role.
Prior to that he spent 13 years with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), most recently as principal advisor – stakeholder and industry engagement for public affairs, and roles covering border clearance and biosecurity assurance.
He was in chief quarantine officer at MPI for five years.
NZPork chair Eric Roy said Kleiss was already a familiar face for many people in the pork industry and the wider primary sector.
“Since joining NZPork, Brent has impressed us with his skills and strategic insight in a range of areas,” Roy said.
“We look forward to him making a valuable contribution to NZPork, especially as we face significant regulatory reform associated with farrowing crates and mating stalls and the environment.
“On behalf of NZPork, I also want to thank our policy advisor Frances Clement, who ably stepped into the interim chief executive role as we recruited for a permanent chief executive.”
Kleiss said he was looking forward to meeting more members of the pork sector.
“I’ve already met a number of our farmers and it’s clear to me how much they care about their animals, their products and their communities. I’m also proud of the opportunity to lead the great team at NZPork,” Kleiss said.
Kleiss takes up the role on May 2.
