After 12 years of service to the grain and seed industry Thomas Chin is set to leave his role as general manager of the joint New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association and the NZ Plant Breeders Association.
Chin has played a key role in advancing the associations and supporting the activities of the seed and grain and plant breeding industries.
He has been a driving force in advocating for the industry to enable the effective import and export of seed and inn enhancing collaboration among industry stakeholders.
But come September 20, 2024, Chin will sow his last seeds with the associations and become the “seedsman on standby” as he heads off with plans to pursue his passion for travel with his wife Janette.
“Our son is an airline pilot, so I hope to be able to take some advantage of that with cheap fares and travel, most probably sitting around airports waiting for standby flights. I’ll be the seedsman on standby.”
A self-described “son of the soil”, Chin was attracted to the seed industry, keen for the challenge of the task at hand being to refresh how the seed industry was represented, particularly in the policy and regulatory spaces.
“The role I took up was covering everything in that respect from open market access to law reform and everything in between.
“It was a pilot industry with the plant breeders very keen to get reform of Plant Variety Rights; 11 years later we got that over the line and come November we will see the full outcome of that with law change that by the end of the year will have set up a regime for breeders and rights-holders to pick up loyalties and reap financial returns from that.”
Chin came to the industry with a background of growing up in the market gardening industry and working in the liquor industry.
“I came down from Auckland [to Christchurch] to start in this role and pretty much all I knew about the seed industry was grass is green, though I do claim to have some skin in the game.
“I wasn’t a seedsman, but I did grow up in family working in the primary industries with my grandfather and my parents market gardeners and whilst I wasn’t involved in the family business, something must have rubbed off.
“I guess now I have just done third generation in the sector, but with seed.”
Chin entered the seed business with a career background in the brewing and distilling industry including 20 years as chief executive of the New Zealand Brewers and Distillers Association.
It was a tough decision to retire but he said the time was right for change.
As he reflected on the experiences and the progress, both in the association and within himself, he said that “after 12 years of dedicated service in the seed trade it is time for me to embark on the next chapter of my life”.
“My time, for me, has genuinely been a pleasure and a privilege to lead the seed industry, working with some of the best seedsmen and seedswomen in the world.
“To that end I am proud of this country’s ability to provide such high quality product and as an industry we need to celebrate that more.”
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunities and experiences the seed industry has offered. It is a small but tight community and the camaraderie and mateship is important for me as I leave this place.
There’s just “one disappointment”.
“I am disappointed we haven’t been able to reinstate the brassica seed export to China, but I am hopeful in the very near future we can get the market reinstated, not just for exporters – the whole value chain is set to benefit.
“China is a big place with a large market, it moves at its own discretion.”
One of the highlights of his time was the hosting of the 2023 International Seed Congress, the biggest seed event ever with 1100 delegates from 30 different countries.
“This was a golden opportunity to showcase the world to NZ production, setting the seed industry alight at the top of the global stage.”
Chin said there is never a good time to leave a place that has so many rewarding and happy memories.
“I hope to leave behind me a legacy of transformation and industry headway for the next leadership to take the business forward.”
Chin attributed the achievements of the past decade to teamwork.
“It’s not about just me, it’s been to do with the secretariat staff’s passion and dedication that make this place work.
“I want to express my deepest thanks for the opportunity to work alongside you all.
“Thank you to all the people in the industry and sector who supported me, encouraged me and believed in me; the friendships made across the sector and association are very special for me and will last forever.
“As I transition into retirement, we plan to return to Auckland, not next week or next month but eventually, and pursue travel and family commitments.”
In a joint statement, New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association president Charlotte Connoley and NZ Plant Breeders Association chair John Caradus said Chin’s leadership and professionalism have played a pivotal role in building relationships with the government, public service agencies and throughout the membership, navigating the challenges and opportunities within the sector, leaving a lasting impact on the association and its members.
“Thomas has overseen the evolution of the seed industry office from a small two-person administration through to the current day with a busy office providing services for many of the key industry bodies that make up the seed and grain industries of NZ.
“He has dedicated the last 12 years to advancing our associations and supporting the activities of the seed and grain and plant breeding industries.
“During his tenure he has been a driving force in advocating for our industry to enable the effective import and export of seed, enhancing collaboration among industry stakeholders and providing value for our membership.
“Whilst we will greatly miss his vision and guidance, we wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life.”
