Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
After 25 years experience as an ecologist working with diverse industries and activities, I took on the challenge of the Kaimai Mamaku Restoration project. Working with iwi and hapu providers, agencies, landowners, businesses, communities and stakeholders, our mission is to restore the Kaimai Mamaku forests and catchments through shared knowledge and collective action. This project has three critical needs: building intergenerational capability to deliver diverse restoration needs; multi-species elimination in a complex landscape; and finding solutions for valuing and investing in the natural systems that underpin economic prosperity. Biodiversity decline and climate change are inextricably linked to community and economic wellbeing, so we need to find enduring finance solutions for ecosystem restoration. I'm privileged to be working with leading-edge multi-disciplinary solutions and incredible partners to solve our biggest challenges.
The Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust is tasked with enabling the restoration of 240,000ha of the Kaimai-Mamaku forests and catchments, in partnership with iwi & hapu, community groups, landowners, DOC, regional councils and many more. The Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges are home to iconic NZ species and stunning NZ landscapes, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of NZers every year for recreation, and imbued with a cultural heritage of immeasurable value. I grew up under these Ranges and it's a place I care for deeply. After 25 years as a consulting ecologist, and the last 18 years at Boffa Miskell Limited, I'm humbled and honoured to be asked to take up the role of inaugural CEO of the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust. Contributing to reversal of forest decline at this scale and creating a conservation economy was too exciting a challenge to turn down. The knowledge and experience gained from clients, colleagues, and diverse projects over the years will be of immense value as the Trust and I embark on this adventure. I look forward to building productive enduring relationships as this project builds momentum and we put our shoulder to the wheel of this monumental project. He waka eke noa!
From small beginnings providing an essential service to our communities for more than 30 years, Bob's Gas has grown to become a trusted brand, delivering hot showers and hot meals to families across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. As well as household and business LPG, we also provide medical oxygen, industrial and commercial gases, and fire extinguishers... but most importantly, we're there for our customers when the chips are down. Whether its household LPG or community swap cages, whether it's 4WD delivery after a cyclone or contactless delivery during a pandemic, Bob's Gas & Cylinder services exemplifies "Local at your Place" across all parts of the business. The Bob's Gas cylinder testing and site inspection services keep our communities and customers safe, and we maximise gas recovery wherever possible in our cylinder testing processes. Our emergency services entrust us with testing their breathing apparatus, and we will make sure your dive bottles and fire extinguishers tested, re-filled and safe when you need them. A proudly NZ-owned SME, Bob's Gas & Cylinder Services is part of the NZ economy's equitable transition by reducing inequality and increasing resilience in regional energy sources.
My consulting experience over almost twenty five years as an ecologist and environmental scientist focused on ecological restoration and assessing the environmental effects of activities. This involved ecological/environmental assessment of habitats, fauna, water and sediment for activities as diverse as infrastructure, agriculture/horticulture, industrial activities and residential/rural-residential development. These assessments formed the basis for resource consents, ecological restoration programmes, options for mitigation or off-set of effects, Integrated Catchment Management Plans, consultation, and collaboration with engineers to design treatment systems for stormwater, wastewater and leachate. My consulting work also addressed riparian management and waterway enhancement. I developed the Plant Selection Tool for Waikato Waterways and presented workshops on riparian management. With my rural background, I enjoyed working proactively with landowners to provide practical, cost-effective solutions for improving biodiversity, habitat and water quality.