cat@waiwanaka.nz

millie@waiwanaka.nz

ben@waiwanaka.nz

louise@waiwanaka.nz

michaela@waiwanaka.nz

sarahtaylor@waiwanaka.nz

prue@waiwanaka.nz

franzi@waiwanaka.nz

nicky@waiwanaka.nz

serena@waiwanaka.nz

lottie@waiwanaka.nz

danielle@waiwanaka.nz

mel@waiwanaka.nz

charlotte@waiwanaka.nz

John has extensive experience in the primary sector, both in corporate finance and governance, and in national science work supporting the sector. Currently serving as a director of Manaaki Whenua / Landcare Research and the Biological Heritage Challenge, John has also chaired national agri industry entities like the Bio Protection Research Centre (CORE) and the Minister of Agriculture’s Wool Working Group (now known a Wool Impact), where he retains a Board Advisory role. Additionally, he serves on the board of several farming businesses, as well as being a director of WoolWorks Ltd., the New Zealand wool scour operator. With a background in international business development and a commitment to industry improvement initiatives, John is a Co-Chair of the Te Taiao Steering Group and was previously on the Minister of Agricultures Primary Sector Council. John’s leadership skills and belief in community-driven initiatives promises positive impacts for WAI, our communities, and the local environment.

Don is the Chair of Guardians of Lake Wānaka and a member of Guardians of Lake Hāwea. His background includes 40 years in marine fisheries science & management, marine ecology, biodiversity and biosecurity. He held senior research and management roles in NZ Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries & NZ National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA), including NIWA Vessels Ltd. Don led the campaign to design, fund and build the NIWA research vessel “Tangaroa”, commissioned in 1991.

Don was the NZ member on the Governing Board of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, as a member of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System Management Committee & Node Manager for the Southwestern Pacific Ocean (part of the global Census of Marine Life programme). He has also served on a number of government and Royal Society research committees.

Julie has wide-ranging finance and business experience, predominantly in senior executive, change management and troubleshooting roles. On moving to Wānaka in 2017 she turned her energies to the for-purpose sector, volunteering for WAI Wānaka then becoming our first Trust Manager in 2018 and Partnerships Manager in 2022. Her roles with WAI Wānaka involved every aspect of day-to-day management of the Trust alongside building partnerships with local and central government, community groups, researchers and funders.

Since stepping away from full time employment, Julie has continued her volunteering. As a lifelong learner, she has a strong interest in improving impact and outcomes from community-led mahi through harnessing collaborative effort, sharing knowledge and reducing duplication. Julie’s current board roles include Shaping our Future, Environment Hubs Aotearoa and Aspiring Community Foundation.

Emily Walker is a strategic thinker and communicator with a background in civil engineering and public investment management. She is the host and producer of Ag in Conversation, a podcast exploring the big issues and bold ideas shaping agriculture and rural communities in New Zealand and beyond. With a career spanning infrastructure, strategy, and leadership, Emily brings a unique perspective grounded in both urban and rural experiences. She is passionate about evidence-based decision-making, driving meaningful impact, and supporting resilient, future-focused communities.

Richard is a third-generation steward of his family’s high-country farm in Hāwea, an agritourism operator, and a passionate conservationist.

He is a Guardian of Lake Hāwea, the founding Chair of the Lake Hāwea Stakeholders Group, and Chair of Aotearoa’s Hunters for Conservation. Richard also serves on the board of the Dallas Safari Club, contributes to the executive of the NZ Professional Hunting Guides Association, and is a Director of Landward Management — a company specialising in project management, biosecurity, ecological management, and farm business consulting.

He recently completed a six-year term on the Board of the Telford Farming Institute, a rural education facility in Otago.

Richard plays an active role in protecting the water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystems of Lake Hāwea, ensuring they are sustainably and safely managed.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable land management, environmental stewardship, community wellbeing, and the promotion of responsible hunting and agritourism practices.

Andrew is a lapsed economist with experience in setting up and managing an economics consulting business and an investment management firm. He is currently a Trustee at Te Kakano, a founder and Trustee of the New Zealand Rivers Trust, which is involved in the Cawthron NZ River Awards. He is a director of two farming businesses and is acutely aware of the biological and economic tensions between land use and the health of freshwater eco-systems.

Having recently relocated from Wellington to Wānaka, Stephen brings wide-ranging senior executive leadership and governance experience across Government, primary industries and the biosecurity sector. A common thread throughout his career is his strategic leadership, using scientific tools, data, models and technology to deliver operational and business outcomes. Not to mention the importance of building strong relationships and partnerships. Stephen is deeply committed to environmental sustainability and champions best practise governance.

Stephen’s most recent role was Chief Executive of an animal disease and pest management agency within the primary sector. During this time, he acted as an Observer on the Mycoplasma Bovis Governance Board, as well as the Board of Zero Invasive Predators and supported the Department of Conservation to shape the future of Predator Free 2050. In addition, Stephen has for many years been a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and is eager to contribute his expertise and skills to our local community, and WAI Wānaka is thrilled to have him join their Board of Trustees.

Professor Ross Thompson is the Dame Carolyn Burns Research Chair in Freshwater Sciences in the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago. Originally from Ashburton, NZ, Ross completed his PhD in 2001 at the University of Otago working on the impacts of clearcut forestry on waterways. He then completed post-doctoral studies in Canada. Over the past 20 years he has been based in Australia, primarily working on applied food web ecology. This has included studying impacts of afforestation for carbon capture, ecological effects of diffuse pollutants, how urbanisation impacts landscapes, and most recently, large-scale river restoration using environmental flows. His work has included working closely with the private sector, government and Indigenous groups, seeking transdisciplinary solutions to environmental ‘wicked problems’. Since returning to NZ in early 2025 Ross has focussed on building partnerships to address water quality and ecosystem health issues, with a particular focus on the lakes and rivers of southern New Zealand.

Chris is an infrastructure asset management advisor and strategist, helping local authorities across Aotearoa with long-term planning, business case development and evidence-based decision-making. He has a Master of Science in Geography and a background in social and environmental research.

He is especially interested in how infrastructure can support thriving communities and sustainable development, his work has spanned both urban and rural communities, and he enjoys collaborating with councils and partners on future-focused planning.

Based in Lake Hāwea with his young family, Chris is delighted to support WAI Wānaka’s mission to empower communities and protect water for future generations.

Mandy has extensive experience across environmental leadership, agribusiness and governance, with a strong focus on freshwater, land stewardship and community-led action. A trained veterinarian, Mandy brings a practical, systems-based understanding of how land use, ecological health and community wellbeing intersect.

As a co-founder and former Chair of WAI Wānaka, Mandy played a pivotal role in establishing the organisation’s collaborative, catchment-wide approach to freshwater protection in the Upper Clutha. During her tenure as Chair, she helped guide WAI from a volunteer-led initiative into a respected regional organisation, strengthening governance, securing strategic funding, and building trusted partnerships with scientists, landowners, community groups and government agencies.

Beyond WAI Wānaka, Mandy has contributed to national science and freshwater leadership, including serving on the Government’s Freshwater Leaders Group and holding governance roles within primary industry. Alongside her governance work, she and her husband operate Criffel Station near Wānaka, where sustainable land management and innovation are central to their farming business.

Now an Emerita Trustee, Mandy continues to support WAI Wānaka through strategic insight, mentorship and advocacy. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to place, collaboration and practical action, with a strong belief that informed, mobilised communities are essential to protecting freshwater and ecosystems for future generations.