"Policy is about working with people, and that's what I enjoy," said AQNZ's Policy Manager, Stephanie Hopkins.
Photo: Aquaculture New Zealand.
"Welcome back, Steph Hopkins." That's how Aquaculture New Zealand (AQNZ) headed its announcement of its "new" Policy Manager. This appointment is a kind of homecoming for Stephanie Hopkins, as she returns to her former position after two years as Principal Policy Advisor at NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
This is AQNZ's second appointment in recent months, following the professional association representing New Zealand's marine farmers naming Stewart Hawthorn as its new Chair of the Board in September. The CEO of Akaroa King Salmon succeeded veteran Chairman and industry pioneer Bruce Hearn, who retired after decades of service.
Originally trained as a marine scientist, Hopkins worked in that capacity at Nelson's Cawthron Institute, New Zealand's largest independent scientific organisation, before moving into policy implementation roles in the NZ Government, always related to the sustainable growth of aquaculture.
For six years, she served as a Senior Aquaculture Advisor at the NZ Ministry of Fisheries, where she provided advice and implemented the Government's priority work program for aquaculture. Subsequently, within the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries, she held the position of Senior Aquaculture Analyst for almost nine years, during which she implemented the Government's strategy and action plan to support the development of aquaculture.
It was from this position at the MPI that Stephanie Hopkins first joined Aquaculture New Zealand as Policy Manager, where she was responsible for AQNZ's policy work program, focused on advocating for and securing enabling and flexible provisions for aquaculture in national legislation, regulations, and regional-level plans, managing engagements with central Government and local councils, and working collaboratively with experts and the aquaculture sector.
Now, after spending another two years as a Principal Policy Advisor at MPI, where she provided leadership and insight on initiatives to improve the legislation and regulatory frameworks that support the aquaculture sector, Stephanie Hopkins has returned to Aquaculture New Zealand as Policy Manager.
Considering that, in addition to all this experience, she also served as a Board Trustee at FirstMate NZ, a charity that supports the health and well-being of people working in the commercial fishing industry, AQNZ's statement that "a love of the ocean has been the consistent thread running through Steph Hopkins' career" makes even more sense.
"After a stimulating two years away honing my policy skills with the awesome aquaculture policy team at Ministry for Primary Industries, I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Policy Manager at Aquaculture New Zealand!" Hopkins wrote in her LinkedIn profile announcing her move.
Thus, in its note, Aquaculture New Zealand stated that returning to the frontline of aquaculture feels like coming home for her, adding that Stephanie Hopkins describes the sector as a "positive, easy sell" for New Zealand.
"Aquaculture is sustainable, it's low-impact, and it's full of interesting, creative people. It's farming—growing things—and it's something we can be proud of," she said.
AQNZ also emphasized that she is looking forward to working closely with farmers and industry partners to see where she can make the biggest difference.
"Policy is about working with people, and that's what I enjoy—solving problems together to make their businesses run smoother and securing enabling rules and regulations that are sensible and easier to work with," Hopkins claimed. "What gets me excited is trying to get the settings right for growth."
"There's a lot of change coming—in the regulatory environment, but also the wider landscape we work and live in," AQNZ's Policy Manager continued. "A key part of my role is advocating for the best possible outcomes for aquaculture so we are set up for the future," she concluded.
