Who got that job?

Job title: Director of biosecurity coordination

For: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Meet Caryll Shailer, Massey University-trained vet and now one of the most important people in the fight to keep overseas pests and diseases out of New Zealand.

Dr Shailer says she is looking forward to being in the forefront of biosecurity policy.

"I've always been attracted to new challenges," she says.

The job brings her back to her home town, Wellington.

Since August 1997, she has been based at the New Zealand Mission to the European Communities in Belgium, where she has been responsible for public, animal and plant health issues relating to trade between New Zealand and Europe.

She will be providing science-based policy advice "on maintaining a high biosecurity vigilance without being unduly distracted or influenced by political agendas, or events created by anti-globalisation extreme groups."

From her newly created post, which arose after internal restructuring, she will be travelling extensively to meet, she says, "all who have an interest in biosecurity matters - within New Zealand and internationally."

She says: "As you can imagine, such a network could be really huge and is an exciting challenge.

"New Zealand's natural environment and productive sectors are constantly at risk from new pests and diseases."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry biosecurity business services manager, Rob Calder, says he received 21 applications for the job - about six of those from present MAF staff members - and a lot of the candidates had the industry experience MAF sought.

He describes the post as pivotal, and adds: " It's very important and it's a growing area, with the move towards international and free trade."