About Us

Our business is providing tools to monitor and control invasive animals. Our solutions are innovative, humane, environmentally responsible and practical. 

Key members of Connovation:

Duncan MacMorran

Duncan MacMorran is the CEO of Connovation.  He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and after working in Africa and UK in the late 1970’s, returned to New Zealand to specialise in corporate advisory services including income tax.  He became a partner in a national accounting firm before moving into the commercial environment in 1987 when he became Finance Director for a technology distribution company with branches throughout New Zealand and Australia. This was followed by managerial positions with companies involved with garment importation and distribution, and financial software distribution – again through Australia and New Zealand.

He was appointed CEO of Connovation in 2003 and has developed the company from an innovative manufacturer of pest control products into one which also successfully undertakes research in the field of vertebrate pest management.  This research has a twin focus – on the development of humane, low residue poisons which will also produce commercially viable products.   This research function is carried out in conjunction with a number of partners including the Invasive Animal CRC, Department of Conservation, and Lincoln University.

Charlie Eason

Charles Eason is Professor in Wildlife Management at Lincoln University and Director of Research for Connovation Ltd in Auckland. He has a PhD in Toxicology from University of Surrey in the UK and worked in new drug development for over 10 years. Professor  Eason has developed cardiovascular drugs and pest control products working in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Environmental Research, and Pesticide Toxicology.   He now specialises in vertebrate pesticide toxicology and product development. He  has published extensively on the pros and cons of 1080 and other poisons. 

From 1989 to 2006 Professor Eason spent 17 years at Landcare Research in roles including Pest Control Technology Research Team Leader and Science Manager. He has held senior management and governance roles in different research companies.  Since 2006 he has been working on new pest control products with Connovation and Lincoln University researchers. He was awarded the NZ Science and Technology Award Silver Medal in 2002 for his research on pest management. His current activities are linked to environmental protection and research, product development, pest control, and biodiversity with a focus on humane low residue poisons and alternatives to 1080. He has integrated research and development at Connovation with leading research teams in NZ, Australia, USA and UK and is driving research that links inventors, researchers and registration experts with  manufacturing and commercialisation skills to advance tangible new products to replace existing technologies.

Paul Aylett

Paul Aylett is our Operations Manager; he is responsible for the management of the manufacturing facility, production, purchasing and formulation of product as well as the production of material for research and development. Paul has been with Connovation since 2001.

Paul has had extensive experience in the manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Household products, soaps and foods both hands on, in R&D and in management. His work experience includes four years in Canada and nine in Australia in a variety of roles. He returned to New Zealand in 1986 where he spent twelve years working in the Pharmaceutical industry before joining Connovation.

Lyn Nicholls

Lyn Nicholls is Sales & Marketing Manager and in conjunction with the management team implements the company’s sales strategy.   

Her background in vertebrate and invertebrate pests spans some years.  She has progressed from Agricultural Pests Destruction Council trainee in Hawkes Bay, Wanaka, Cromwell, Patearoa to Field Officer in Alexandra, carrying out a variety of trials and operations to manage vertebrate pests in Otago and other areas of New Zealand, then to Wellington as National Training Officer.  She then undertook a land management support role with the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council (now known as Horizons) based in Marton and then to Timaru as Southern Area Manager with the Canterbury Regional Council.  This involved managing 22 staff and declared pests over approximately 1.5 million hectares extending from the Rangitata River to the Waitaki River to the Southern Alps and through to the sea coast.  For the past 14 years up until now her work has focused on technical/sales roles for private companies. Lyn is based at Waikanae Beach on the Kapiti Coast.

Lyn has excellent product knowledge and extensive pest knowledge which enables her to competently disseminate information, provide information and guidance on the best product for any given situation.

Steve Hix

Lee Shapiro

Lee is a recent post-graduate with a  background in wildlife ecology. He has an M.Sc from Massey University, where his thesis focused on the potential for competition between North Island brown kiwi chicks and ship rats. Since joining  Connovation Ltd early in 2008 he  has been project manager for several new product developments initiatives including demonstrating the effectiveness of cyanide on Dama wallabies and exploring its potential for ferret control. Most recently he has been co-ordinating successful field trials testing the efficacy of paraaminopropiophenone (PAPP) on stoats and feral cats and developing  efficacy data to support  new product registrations. His focus is on extending the use of cyanide for a broader range of pests and advancing new tools for predator control.

Connovation is working on new products for the retail market including some of their current commercial products; our website will keep you informed on these developments.

For full catalogues, price lists and product sheets, or if you have a specific enquiry, please do not hesitate in contacting us on either;

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Connovation Limited
PO Box 58613
Auckland
New Zealand

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