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MASSEY is published by Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

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MASSEY has a circulation of 75,000.

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To celebrate the University’s 75th anniversary, eight one-off Massey University Anniversary Medals have been awarded to alumni who have made special contributions to their communities and their country. They represent something of the span of Massey talent.

Dr Brian Wickham (BAgrSc 1970, MAgrSc 1972) has helped sustain the income of New Zealand dairy farmers during his 22-year tenure with the Livestock Improvement Corporation. He developed a database to generate the production worth of individual animals, created a uniquely New Zealand evaluation system that allows genetic comparisons across breeds, and has worked internationally to promote the excellence of New Zealand’s animal evaluation schemes.

Professor Peggy Koopman-Boyden was one of the University’s first arts students in 1961 while studying at Palmerston North Teachers’ College. Currently Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Waikato, she has held a number of teaching and academic roles, has advised the Government on policy, sat on various women’s committees, including the Expert Group on the Cervical Screening Programme, and chaired the National Council of HIV/AIDS. She has a long publication record, including three books relating to families and the ageing society.

North Shore’s Fay Mason (BEd 1980, DipEd 1983, MEdAdmin (Hons) 2002) has been recognised for her contribution to her community and the development and education of young people. She recently retired as Principal of Murray’s Bay Intermediate school, which is highly regarded academically. She played an active role in campaigns for equal pay and promotion opportunities for women, mentoring young teachers into leadership roles. She has gained her recent qualifications extramurally and part-time as a mature student.

Robin Hapi gained an MBA with distinction in 1992, the first M¯aori to achieve this distinction from Massey. He was the first M¯aori Branch Manager for Housing Corporation, General Manager of the M¯aori Fisheries Commission and is now CEO of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. He is on the New Zealand Fisheries Board and the Seafood Industry Council, is a director of Sealord Group, and has held numerous advisory roles to government. He has a long-standing commitment to M¯aori development and is active in a variety of community organisations.

Dr Paddy Bassett (née Elsie Thorpe) was Massey’s first woman graduate student, gaining a BAgrSc in 1941. She was a pioneering female student when there were many social barriers to women getting higher science degrees. Her early innovative research was into animal husbandry practices and, although now in her 80s, she is an honourable staff member of the pathology department at Otago’s Wellington School of Medicine, working on connective tissue change.

Professor Christine Winterbourn studied for her PhD from 1965 to 1968, commencing her career at the Christchurch School of Medicine in 1970. She pioneered research into free radicals in biological systems in the 1970s. In recent years she has applied this expertise to diseases and cell damage caused by free radicals and today she is an acknowledged international authority in the field. She was recognised for her contribution to her field with an ONZM in 1997.

Robyn Bargh (BA 1981) pioneered M¯aori publishing, establishing Huia New Zealand 10 years ago. It now includes publishing, communications and educational arms, and is the biggest publisher of books for M¯aori. The communications group has a wide client base and the education division Huia – te Manu Tuku Korero produces high quality education resources for Kura Kaupapa M¯aori. Ms Bargh has a commitment to making Te Reo an important part of New Zealand life and uses innovative approaches to connect with and engage young Maori.

Dr Russell Ballard, (BAgrSc 1967, MAgrSc 1969) has had a distinguished career in the public service, heading five government departments and establishing the Ministries of Forestry, Education and Land Information, over the last 15 years. He has played a leading role in government reform initiatives relating to the environment, education, science, biosecurity, animal welfare and land administration. As Director General of Agriculture he had a key role in developing the phytosanitary agreement under GATT. He was also Director-General of Education and is now chief executive of Land Information New Zealand.