Catherine Harris

Catherine Harris is a highly experienced business professional who has worked alongside many of the leading brands in New Zealand’s food manufacturing industry.

Catherine brings valuable industry and life experience to NMIT’s Viticulture and Winemaking programmes in Marlborough.

As the Viticulture and Winemaking Programme Lead Specialist, her role is to develop strong strategic links and partnerships with industry experts, employers and stakeholders, and to help shape the future of the curriculum delivery both in New Zealand and offshore markets.

“I have a wide range of business experience, mostly in the corporate sector. I have worked for many years in the food industry, supplying food flavours and working alongside the food brands we all know and love. It is hugely rewarding to share that experience with new learners and see them progress through their own learning journey.”

After completing secondary school in Auckland, Catherine gained a Bachelor of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering with Honours at Massey University in Palmerston North.

Her first career move was working for an exporter of New Zealand food products to Japan, which included liaising with international clients.

Catherine spent two years working in London and travelling around Europe before returning to New Zealand.

She worked as a Key Account Manager at the Auckland headquarters of Swiss multinational manufacturing company, Givaudan, for 10 years.

In that role, she serviced a range of leading brands in the New Zealand food manufacturing industry and was involved in new product development.

Catherine started at NMIT in 2016 as a tutor in both the Applied Business School(external link) and Social Sciences(external link) department.

She took on the role of Viticulture and Winemaking Programme Lead Specialist in 2021.

“I am always excited to work with new students and hear about their ideas, experience and perspectives,” Catherine says.

“Our smaller class sizes and practical approach means students get a very hands-on experience and can "hit the ground running" when they enter the workforce.”

A lifelong learner, Catherine has a Certificate in International Language from AUT, a Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning from NMIT, and a Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education from Manukau Institute of Technology.