The day-to-day administration and control of the NZHIA (in between Annual General Meetings) is handled by the Executive Committee, who are elected during the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
For contacting anyone on the executive board, please email us directly at: admin@nzhia.com or fill out the contact form here: Contact NZHIA.
(We, unfortunately, have had to remove the executive direct email contact details due to spam issues.)
Executive Board 2026 – 2027:
Richard Barge
Chairperson
Hemptastic, Be All Hemp, Triple M Company
Mobile: +64 (0)21 706 690
Richard began his journey in New Zealandโs industrial hemp industry in 1994 and has been a dedicated advocate for its development and growth for more than three decades. His longstanding involvement with the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA) has seen him play a pivotal role in guiding the organisation and supporting the advancement of the industry.
Richard has served as Treasurer of the NZHIA since 1998, bringing financial expertise, stability and continuity to the organisation. He subsequently took on the role of Deputy Chair before being appointed Chair in 2020, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the association and its members.
Throughout his involvement, Richard has been a strong advocate for the recognition of industrial hemp as a valuable agricultural and commercial crop in New Zealand. He has contributed to industry discussions, regulatory reform initiatives and efforts to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and regional development opportunities that industrial hemp presents.
His leadership has helped support the NZHIAโs work in engaging with government, industry stakeholders and growers, while encouraging collaboration and the development of a sustainable and commercially viable hemp sector.
Alongside his industry commitments, Richard brings extensive experience in business finance and administration. A trained accountant, he operates a bookkeeping business based in Paeroa and Auckland, providing financial and administrative services to businesses.
Richardโs combination of financial expertise, industry knowledge and longstanding dedication continues to provide valuable leadership and support to the NZHIA and New Zealandโs evolving industrial hemp industry.
Evan Dubisky
Secretary
Kapiti Coast District Council
Mobile: +64 (0)27 578 7183
Evan joined the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA) in 2021, driven by a desire to gain a first-hand understanding of the opportunities industrial hemp presents for Aotearoa New Zealand. Since joining, he has become an active and passionate volunteer, contributing his time and energy to the associationโs advocacy, education and industry development initiatives.
Based in the Wellington region, Evan is committed to supporting the growth of a thriving and sustainable industrial hemp sector. He recognises hemp not simply as an agricultural crop, but as a versatile resource with the potential to drive innovation across multiple industries, including nutrition, sustainable building materials, renewable resources and emerging green technologies.
Evan is particularly interested in the practical applications of industrial hemp and how these can contribute to New Zealandโs environmental and economic future. He believes that unlocking the cropโs full potential requires collaboration between growers, researchers, businesses, policymakers and communities, alongside a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and investment.
Through his involvement with the NZHIA, Evan supports efforts to increase awareness, encourage industry participation and help build connections that will advance the sector.
With a strong focus on practical outcomes, Evan is passionate about turning opportunities into tangible results. His enthusiasm, collaborative approach and commitment to positive change reflect his belief that industrial hemp can play a meaningful role in building a more resilient, sustainable and innovative future for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dave Hovell
Treasurer
Taitokerau Hemp Limited
Dave affiliates to Ngฤpuhi, Ngฤti Porou and Tainui and brings more than 20 years of governance, finance and supply chain experience across not-for-profit, community and industrial organisations. Dave has served on the boards of Parafed Northland, Steelsands Credit Union,
Sailability Northland and the Maungatapere School Board of Trustees, and is currently chair of the board of Taitokerau Education Trust.
His governance work is grounded in strong financial and operational leadership. Dave is Finance Manager at Te Hau ฤwhiowhio o ลtangarei Trust and Financial Controller for Te Waiariki Ngฤti Kororฤ Ngati Takapari Iwi Hapลซ Trust in Whangฤrei. He has previously held finance and executive roles with 155 Whare ฤwhina and Taitokerau Education Trust and was General Manager of Taimahi Trust. Before moving into the not-for-profit sector, he spent 13 years at Refining NZ in performance reporting, management accounting and capital accounting. This followed an early career in supply chain and production planning with Fletcher Building and National Foods Australia.
Dave believes hemp has real potential to build sustainable regional economies in Aotearoa. He sees it creating jobs, adding value to land, and opening opportunities for Mฤori landowners and rural communities. He wants to help the industry build the strong governance, processing capability and markets it needs to grow.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Applied Management (Accounting) and is CPIM certified. He is based in Maungatapere with his wife Chloe, and two of their three children still at home.
Teresa Raumaewa
Executive
Tee’s Pots
Teresa Raumaewa is Ngฤti Hau of the Whanganui River, a mother and grandmother who wants to leave a healthier future for her whฤnau and generations to come. With her late husband, she managed large sheep and beef stations for much of her life. She later spent four years as Supply Operations Manager at Waiouru Military Camp, and now works in the biological fertiliser industry.
Teresa founded Tee’s Pots, a home-based business teaching people to grow toxin-free kai using biochar and activated garden charcoal, and selling and promoting hemp products. A long-time advocate for biochar and activated carbon, she encourages people to have a go at growing hemp and sees hemp and carbon as natural partners for restoring our soils, water and people. She joined the NZHIA to turn that potential into practical change.
Ko au ko te awa, ko te awa ko au.
I am the river, and the river is me.
Tanya Simmonds
Executive
HempCentral
Tanya Simmonds is the founder of HempCentral, based in Queensberry, Central Otago, where she is helping pioneer New Zealandโs industrial hemp processing industry. Operating the countryโs first Ashford hemp processor for building and fibre products, Tanya is committed to developing local supply chains and creating opportunities for New Zealand-grown hemp.
With a background in health care and a passion for regenerative farming, Tanya brings an environmentally conscious approach to her work. She recognises the potential of industrial hemp to support sustainable agriculture, healthier communities and innovative building solutions.
Through HempCentral, Tanya is focused on connecting growers, processors, manufacturers and end users, while advancing hempcrete construction and promoting hemp-based building materials as sustainable alternatives.
Tanya is passionate about strengthening New Zealandโs hemp industry through investment in processing infrastructure, collaboration and practical applications. Her work supports regional economic development, encourages regenerative land use and contributes to building a resilient, commercially viable and sustainable industrial hemp sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
John R Smith
Executive
Tasman Hemp Co
Mobile: +64 (0)27 279 06 48
John R. Smith has been actively involved in New Zealandโs industrial hemp industry for the past decade, with a particular interest in sustainable construction and the practical applications of hemp-based building materials.
His involvement began through working alongside Hemp Technologies in Taranaki, contributing to the development and construction of hempcrete homes. This work has helped demonstrate the potential of hempcrete as an innovative, environmentally responsible building material, with four homes constructed in New Plymouth to date.
John is passionate about the opportunities industrial hemp presents for New Zealand, particularly in supporting sustainable building practices, regional development and the growth of locally produced materials.
Alongside his involvement in the hemp sector, John is a licensed real estate professional and holds a licence to cultivate industrial hemp in South Taranaki.
Through his industry experience and practical knowledge, John continues to support greater awareness and adoption of industrial hemp as a valuable resource for New Zealandโs future.
Media Committee
Supporting the growth and visibility of New Zealandโs industrial hemp industry through strategic communications, advocacy and community engagement. Key responsibilities include developing newsletters, media communications, educational resources and promotional content that inform, engage and inspire.
Kelly Muirden-Cooney
Media Committee Chair
Kelly Muirden-Cooney plays an integral role as the NZHIA Media Committee Chair, supporting the associationโs communications, fundraising and advocacy initiatives. With a focus on raising awareness of industrial hemp, Kelly helps develop special projects, promotions, media communications and educational resources that keep members, industry stakeholders and the wider community informed and engaged.
Kelly is involved in developing awareness campaigns that promote the opportunities industrial hemp presents for Aotearoa New Zealand. These include initiatives supporting education, advocacy and greater access to hemp seed for small-scale and cottage industry growers.
A key project is the NZHIA tote bag campaign, which aims to raise funds and build momentum towards producing a 100% New Zealand-made hemp tote, supporting local growers, manufacturers and supply chains.
Through these initiatives, Kelly is committed to strengthening industry connections, increasing public awareness and supporting the continued growth of New Zealandโs industrial hemp sector.
Other NZHIA Committees & Teams
Each committee has a strategic plan identifying milestones and goals to help focus their efforts in supporting the NZHIA Executive to achieve the overall objectives of the association. Please contact us if you want any more information on the committees within the NZHIA or want to find out how you can help.
Members/Admin Committee: Looking after the members experience and taking care of the administration for the association.
Media Committee: Raising awareness and funds for the association, and producing newsletters and information for both the media and the industrial hemp community.
Government Committee: Working with the government to ensure the regulations are workable and they are aware of what the industry needs to develop successfully.
Research & Development Committee: Looking at “Food, Fibre and Health” areas, identifying gaps in the road map to achieving a fully integrated and sustainable industry within New Zealand. Click here for more info about the NZHIA R&D Committee.