Dr Andrea Byrom  trained as a scientist in wildlife population ecology and held various executive leadership roles, including co-director of New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge. She now works as a consultant and professional director in Aotearoa’s environmental sector, and is trained as a resource management commissioner.

Andrea co-chairs the Chief Executive’s Science Advisory Panel for the Ministry for the Environment, is a member of the Department of Conservation’s Biodiversity System Governance Group, and is on the board of Manaaki Whenua. She is also a trustee for the Project Crimson Trust and chair and trustee of the Predator-Free Trust.

Andrea values evidence-based decision-making and has a deep strategic knowledge of the New Zealand science sector and how it connects with government and industry. She has a deep understanding of, and commitment to, Māori values, knowledge, and tikanga from a tauiwi perspective. In 2022 she was awarded the Caughley Medal from the Australasian Wildlife Management Society in recognition of a lifetime of achievements in wildlife ecology and management.