Cawthron - World-class Science for a Better Future

Volker Kuntzsch, CEO Cawthron Institute

Thursday, 15 June 2022 5:30pm

Nelson

Nelson Golf Club

After spending his youth in Namibia and studying and working in South Africa (he holds a Master of Science in Zoology from the University of Stellenbosch), Volker started working for Unilever in Germany and the UK in the 1990s. During this time he introduced the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification to the NZ deepwater industry and laid the foundation for his passion for NZ.

Since then, Kuntzsch has had a distinguished international career spanning more than 30 years. He was formerly the president of Nippon Suisan (USA), and president and CEO of King & Prince Seafood Corp (USA), before joining Sanford in New Zealand as CEO in 2013.

In this role his experience and achievements in developing awareness of seafood sustainability further strengthened Sanford’s commitment to sustainable practices. He has also held senior executive roles in Tokyo, Namibia, Germany and the UK.

Currently, Volker is the CEO of New Zealand's largest independent science organisation, the Cawthron Institute. The 100 year-old research institute is a key player in building sustainable primary industry in New Zealand.

Contact the Nelson branch

OKE BLAIKIE

oblaikie@gmail.com

After spending his youth in Namibia and studying and working in South Africa (he holds a Master of Science in Zoology from the University of Stellenbosch), Volker started working for Unilever in Germany and the UK in the 1990s. During this time he introduced the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification to the NZ deepwater industry and laid the foundation for his passion for NZ.

Since then, Kuntzsch has had a distinguished international career spanning more than 30 years. He was formerly the president of Nippon Suisan (USA), and president and CEO of King & Prince Seafood Corp (USA), before joining Sanford in New Zealand as CEO in 2013.

In this role his experience and achievements in developing awareness of seafood sustainability further strengthened Sanford’s commitment to sustainable practices. He has also held senior executive roles in Tokyo, Namibia, Germany and the UK.

Currently, Volker is the CEO of New Zealand's largest independent science organisation, the Cawthron Institute. The 100 year-old research institute is a key player in building sustainable primary industry in New Zealand.

Membership

NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.