Chris Mortensen

I am originally from the United States and first moved to Aotearoa, New Zealand, in 2018. Prior to leaving the USA, I was a university professor educating students in pre-veterinary medicine and conducting animal physiology and nutrition research. Outside of teaching, I have two rambunctious children that keep me busy and very happy with sports, trekking and travel. 

I am an educator at heart. For me, the greatest satisfaction is watching students learn and achieve their goals and finally seeing them graduate. My enthusiasm for teaching can be infectious and encourages students to learn inside and outside the classroom. Even outside of work, I continue educating the masses through a popular animal podcast and finding other ways to encourage others to learn. What I love most about my job here is not only our ākonga but also my fellow tutors and staff.  

While growing up, my family was involved in farming and commercial fishing. My father was a teacher in animal agriculture, inspiring me to pursue my education in veterinary medicine. After graduating university, I was a professor for over a decade, working in the field of pre-veterinary medicine. During my tenure, I was also heavily involved in research focused on reproduction, nutrition, and behaviour in cattle, horses, pigs, and many exotic species such as elephants, rhinoceros, and others. These experiences help me relate the theory I teach to our ākonga and connect it to their field of study.