I grew up in Auckland and after having spent a few years travelling, completed a Bachelor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management degree at Lincoln University (1993-95). My early conservation work was with threatened forest species including kokako and robins. After further travel, I worked for the Department of Conservation (DOC) on Kapiti Island for three years (2001-04) as a ranger with a broad focus of activities including more threatened species work. This was followed by a short stint with Wildlands Consultants undertaking vegetation monitoring. In 2005 I started work for DOC in Te Urewera Mainland Island monitoring kiwi, producing reports and doing project management. In 2013, I took on a new DOC role as a Senior Ranger responsible for the biodiversity programmes run out of the Whakatane and Opotiki offices. The responsibilities of this position included oversight of a broad range of activities including: fencing, weed management, threatened species management, freshwater/wetland management, community group liaison, island biosecurity, contractor management, animal pest control, goat management, compliance, as well as staff and programme (including budget) management. I finished this role in April 2018, leaving DOC to set up Terra Whenua with Dan Baigent.  I live with my partner, Michelle, just south of Ohiwa Harbour on a 16.5 hectare lifestyle block we share with her parents.

I’m based in Opotiki with my partner Marnie, and our two children Jacob and Maia. Born and raised in Southland, my first forays into conservation were focused on pest control, roaming the hills of Southland and Fiordland in the later part of the 1990’s and early 2000’s. From those beginnings, time in both the public (Department of Conservation ~ 12 years) and private (various ~ 8 years) sectors in both delivery and management roles served as my experience base. Most recently a secondment from DOC to Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatau solidified my thinking that breaking down barriers to people working together is critical to NZ advancing its conservation profile, for the benefit of both land and people. Now, as a Director of Terra Whenua, I hope to continue exploring a range of key concepts across conservation, and enjoying the relationships that are formed around it.