Massey ag consultant awarded honorary citizenship in China

College of Sciences international agricultural consultant Tim Harvey has been awarded honorary citizenship by the Provincial Government of Guizhou Province in southwest China.

The award, the highest for a foreign citizen, was presented to Mr Harvey last week by Guizhou Vice-Governor and Minister of Agriculture Lu Zi Ming.

The award citation recognises the contribution by a team of New Zealanders and the New Zealand Government over the past 30 years and also Massey University’s commitment to helping Guizhou’s farmers and rural communities.

The citation also recognised Mr Harvey’s contribution to rural development and rural poverty alleviation through farmer training and introduction of new technologies since 1992.

Mr Lu asked Mr Harvey to pass on his sincere appreciation to the University and to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the strong contribution and support over such a long period of time.

Present at the ceremony were Vice-President Zhou from Guizhou University, Director Long Ao, who is director of Animal Husbandry Guizhou and others from the Foreign Affairs Office and the University. Mr Lu recognised in his speech the strong relationship between Guizhou University and Massey, a relationship started by Associate Professor Alex Chu and Professor John Hodgson. Mr Lu thanked Mr Harvey for the role he has played in supporting Guizhou University in animal science and helping to keep the relationship alive.

Mr Harvey said he understood only previous recipients of the award were both New Zealanders – Dr Phil Rolston from AgResearch in 1985 and former Prime Minister David Lange shortly afterwards when he became the first premier from another country to visit Guizhou.

“I feel very humble to receive this award, as many New Zealander’s have worked hard to build the Guizhou-New Zealand relationship," Mr Harvey said.