CHAIR

Portfolios - Education, Events, Policy/Planning

My environmental crusade started years ago with me making a conscious effort to make those small day to day changes to help conserve and protect the environment. Things like composting food scraps, switching the dreaded monthly power bill to an online statement, not plastic bagging my fruit and veges to go in my reusable bag (years before supermarkets became plastic –free).

Not to be discounted. Even the small things are awesome for our planet. And they all made me feel quite self-righteous.

But I wanted to take my environmental stewardship to a new level and share my passion with the community. As a school principal I had the opportunity to include the school community into beach clean ups and dune plantings which was another way to take care of our planet.

So I jumped at the opportunity when approached to join the Kiwi Trust Board. To have had the privilege to join passionate, like-minded people in an effort to protect our cherished kiwi in such a unique way has opened my eyes to our local environment and given me the chance to learn something from the experience.

As a seasoned environmental champion, there are people, animals, and even habitats that have a lot to teach us all.

TRUSTEE

Portfolios - EP/OS Steering Committee, Night Walks

I was fortunate to grow up on a rural property beside the bush covered Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland and from a young age have been captivated by our fantastic native flora and fauna and the great outdoors.

With an agricultural science and soil and water conservation background I have worked in the environmental management sector for regional councils, large forestry companies and consultancy firms. I retired 2 years ago but as is often the case I’m busier than ever!

As a Trustee I have been involved for some years with the Environmental Programme (EP) along with our kiwi project partners Bay of Plenty Regional Council, DOC, Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Awa and WDC. The EP focuses on the important matter of pest and predator control within the Whakatāne-Ohope reserves and adjacent lands. I am very keen to see wider species biodiversity flourish as a result of the dedication and hard work of our great volunteers and contractors. I am also encouraged by the community and visitor interest in Whakatane Kiwi Trust’s seasonal night walks and our education programme for school children.

My wife Wendy and I have 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren. We live in the Hillcrest area of Whakatāne with a bush clad section and still get a kick out of hearing the call of the kiwi nearby.

TRUSTEE

Portfolios - Volunteer support, Marketing, Fundraising, Business Development, Events

After retiring from being in business I became more involved with community groups.

I have been a Trustee of the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust since 2009. My involvement with events and fundraising started in 2009 with the release of the 100th kiwi chick Kaputerangi into the Whakatāne bush reserve and has been ongoing.

The support in so many ways over the years from local businesses and individuals has been a major factor in the success of the Kiwi Trust and Project. I am very proud of the way in which the Kiwi Project has developed but the underlying credit must go to all the committed and dedicated contractors and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect the many vulnerable species in our Reserves. There have been many highlights -one of them the trademarking of Kiwi Capital of the World, and also my own ongoing learning of the environment and ecosystem

TRUSTEE

Portfolios - Education, Kiwi Aversion, Volunteer support

I am a retired primary school teacher who has made Whakatāne my home since 1976. My ex husband I and built a sailing yacht at Ōhope and sailed it to many countries over 25 years. It gave me first hand experience to view tragic pollution but also environments that were perfect. I enjoyed eco systems that were in the most pristine condition and managed well both on land or in the ocean.

I also had the experience to teach in many different countries and enjoyed learning about different cultures.

I have two sons and two grandchildren.

However I was very happy to return to New Zealand and my much loved bush block on Mc Coy road that I have owned for 43 years. I am passionate about preserving what we have in the Bay Of Plenty and look forward to working with like minded people in the Kiwi Trust and meeting all the people who volunteer with this organisation.

TRUSTEE

Portfolios - Finance

I am a mum to a 13 year old and 11 year old, I was born and raised in Whakatāne area, after some time away nannying in the UK and Canada I came back to the sunny Bay of Plenty after having my children. I am working as a teacher aide, and I am involved in a few other boards and committees in the community. I have been on the Board of Trustees for the Kiwi Trust since 2019.

TRUSTEE

Portfolios - Legal, Policy/Planning

Jayden McNeil is our newest trustee, a commercial lawyer working at Holland Beckett Law, with a keen interest in commercial, rural and property law and a passion for navigating complex legal challenges. Jayden was born, raised, and educated in Whakatane, before leaving to study law at Waikato. When not immersed in legal matters, he finds inspiration in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and surfing and actively exploring nature and advocating for environmental sustainability and biodiversity. With a forward-thinking approach, Jayden is dedicated to making a positive impact both in the office and local environment.