Our Company
Botry-Zen Limited is a leading edge New Zealand biotech company researching, developing and commercialising biological control agents and natural products for use in the agricultural and horticultural industry.
To date Botry-Zen Ltd has commercialised two plant disease control products, BOTRY-Zen® and ARMOUR-Zen®. These products have required the development of unique manufacturing processes. Both products have proven efficacy after extensive trialling in New Zealand. Trials in Europe and the US have also shown the outstanding performance of these products.
BOTRY-Zen® and ARMOUR-Zen® are registered under the ACVM Act for use on wine grapes, kiwifruit, blackcurrants and ornamentals. BOTRY-Zen® is certified organic in New Zealand by BioGro NZ (No. 4405). Both products have application and have been trialled in a wide range of other crops.
Our People
Dr Cheung-Tak Hung, Managing Director, (PhD, MRPharmS)
Dr Cheung-Tak Hung has been an Executive Director of Zenith Technology since 1988. Dr Hung was a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand (1983-1988). Dr Hung received his B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Pharmacy in 1978 and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science in 1982 from Aberdeen, UK. Dr Hung's research interests include drug targeting, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical formulation and pharmaceutical analysis. Dr Hung has published some 90 original articles in scientific and medical journals and is the inventor of two patents.
Dr Hung jointly received the Distinguished Biotechnologist Award for 2002, and an MNZM for services to philanthropy and the Chinese community in the 2009 Queens Birthday Honours.
Kirstin Bevin, Technical Manager, Scientist
Kirstin joined Botry-Zen Ltd in 2001, and has been critical in the research and development, and technical support. She provides valuable technical support to our sales team and growers to ensure best practice, and optimal product performance information is current and accessible. Kirstin worked on the development of both products, coordinating the trial work over a range of crops within New Zealand and internationally. Kirstin also oversees the quality assurance programme including compliance with Bio-Gro standards, and product registration under the ACVM Act 1997.
Brett Bensemann, Sales and Marketing Manager
Brett joined Botry-Zen Ltd in 2008, as our National sales and marketing manager. He has a post-graduate degree in Agriculture and Genetic Research from Lincoln University, and brings considerable sales and marketing experience from multiple industries including hotel and wine, retail, pharmaceutical and animal health. He is customer focused and exceeds in developing relationships with a wide variety of industry specific people.
Peter Foster, Plant Manager
Peter joined Botry-Zen Ltd in late 2008. He brings with him significant experience in supervision and management of large staff within major plant and factories. Peter was heavily involved in the mining sector, working at both Argyle Diamond Mines and Boddington Gold Mine in Australia. Peter was recruited back to New Zealand to undertake a management role at Macraes Gold Mine. Other positions held were Production Supervisor at Prebensen Pipelines, and Health & Safety Manager at PPCS Silverstream.
