Murray Dawson (Webmaster and Journal Editor of the RNZIH)

Botanist, Landcare Research, Lincoln.

Murray Dawson has worked as a research technician for the former DSIR Botany Division from 1981 and then Landcare Research since its inception in 1991 to the present time.

In 1995 he was granted leave to complete a MSc at the University of Reading in the UK.  His thesis was on ornamental cultivars of Leptospermum (manuka) for which he received the DD Baker Award through the RNZIH.

With the introduction of the RNZIH website Murray saw the potential uses and benefits of this new technology to the Institute.  He approached National Executive expressing interest in developing the site and introducing many new features.  Because of his very significant contribution to the development of the website Murray was appointed Webmaster in 2001 and was also co-opted onto the National Executive.  Today this site could be described as one of the major horticultural sites in New Zealand.

From 2005, he has also taken on the role of principal editor of the New Zealand Garden Journal (Journal of the RNZIH).

Qualifications

• MSc

Industry & Professional Associations

• New Zealand Botanical Society (Webmaster)
• Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (FRIH)