Chris Barnaby has had a role in New Zealand plant variety protection (PVP) for over thirty (30) years and is currently the Manager of the Plant Variety Rights Office (PVRO). Prior to this leadership, administrative and policy role, Chris was Examiner for Fruit and Ornamental species. As part of the work for PVRO, Chris has actively participated in the committees and working groups of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), including chairing the Technical Working Party for Fruit Crops (twice), the Technical Working Party for Ornamentals and the UPOV Technical Committee.
Involvement in international PVP has provided Chris opportunities to act as a lecturer in an international training course provided by the Republic of Korea and as a variety testing advisor for the East Asia PVP Forum technical development programme. Chris was recently awarded the Associate of Honour from the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. The award recognises contributions Chris has made to New Zealand horticulture in various ways over many years, in particular, for representing New Zealand on the international stage in regard to plant variety protection.
