Erin Simpson (Taranaki, Te Atiawa) has an extensive career in the Horticulture sector starting in the 1980s. His experience gives him a robust and insightful understanding of the skills needed by employers to be effective members in the workforce of tomorrow.

He is passionate about ensuring skills and training today are agile, adaptable, and fit for purpose and that vocational education is visible and accessible for all across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Erin’s governance experience spans community, education and industry groups and he currently sits as Chair of the NZ Agricultural Education Trust (Growsafe), Co-Chair of the Hawkes Bay Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG), Chair of Hāpaitia Ltd and a director of Te Koha Organics Ltd, a family business he manages with his partner Clare. In past roles, Erin has represented the Pipfruit sector on government advisory groups around capability and skills for Ministry for Primary Industries and the Tertiary Education Commission. He is the current board of trustees Chair at Taikura Rudolf Steiner school in Hastings a role he has held for six years and is one of a group of founding members of the Kahūi Ahumahi a collective of Māori governance members across the six Workforce Development Councils.