Belinda Margetts

Belinda joined DairyNZ as a Senior Freshwater Ecologist in 2023 with 20 years’ experience as an ecologist, primarily in freshwater monitoring, research, and planning. She provides freshwater ecosystem health expertise within DairyNZ and to external stakeholders.

Belinda is involved in research, often in collaboration with other organisations, focussed on identifying the most effective actions farmers can take to improve freshwater quality on their farms and in their catchments. She is also involved in establishing the optimal indicators to measure freshwater health, in support for regulations based on solid science that are practical for farmers, and communicating the actions farmers and communities can take to improve waterway health.

“I’m passionate about improving the health of New Zealand’s waterways and supporting the sector and farmers to build on the great work they have done so far.” says Belinda.

Belinda’s upbringing on a sheep and cropping farm gives her an understanding of the pressures farmers face and a desire to provide them with pragmatic solutions. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with First Class Honours from the University of Canterbury, and a PhD from Lincoln University, where the results of her research project contributed to the body of knowledge around possum control.