Meet the team

Our mahi (work) is guided by an amazing group of volunteers who make up our Governance and Operational Teams. The diverse and extensive skill sets that they offer ensure that we have robust, meaningful and respectful discussions, guided by the common interest in a thriving natural environment.

Richard was one of the founding members of the Kaipara cultural Festival for 28 years, organizing the tribal team for the National Māori Touch Rugby Tournament, Māori Rugby League Tournament, the marae tribal marae Pā Wars in South Kaipara he led with others for 8 years. Richard held cultural advisory roles for Recreation Aotearoa (Wellington) 2018 - 2020 and Māori Police Advisory in Waitakere, Rodney, Waitemata from 2003 - 2006.

A passionate advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Richard has facilitated Treaty of Waitangi discussions and workshops for over 25 years. He became a Treaty negotiator for the South Kaipara Treaty Claim following the passing of his father, Richard Whero Nahi, in 2008. He shadowed his Matua for over 20 years during those years ensuring the next generation of rangatahi and potential leaders for the future have a strong, informed voice in the ongoing development of Treaty settlements, partnership, engagement and understanding is always worked on to improve and maintain good relationships.

Richard has been involved in numerous community organizations, including serving as Kaumatua for South Kaipara, Epsom Girls Grammar, Helensville Waste Recycle Center, Te Hōnonga a Iwi, Upper Waitemāta Ecology Network and North Harbour Hockey. His knowledge and leadership extends to international platforms, where he has represented indigenous communities at World Indigenous Conferences in Vancouver Canada, Indiana and Minnesota USA, Tokyo, Japan, and Tahiti as a guest speaker on board the ship named Peace Boat from Japan focusing on education, health, youth development, and cultural exchange.

One of the early groups Richard was a proud member of was with the Pukekohe Youth Committee. This was where he grew a passion for the outdoors and travelled around the country taking young people for trips into the environment. Richard was the chairperson for the Pukekohe Māori Committee in 1991 before he decided to return to south Kaipara with his whānau to assist with the south Kaipara treaty land claim. An educator at heart, Richard is dedicated to preserving and sharing Māori cultural knowledge. Whether it’s through teaching hangi-making to whānau or leading discussions on cultural identity and rights, he is passionate about empowering others to understand and embrace their heritage. Richard is also an active advocate for tribal rights, having been involved in community and tribal protest movements for the last four decades.

Strategy Team

Richard Nahi, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara.

Principal Cultural Tikanga Advisor, Auckland Council

Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua Trust Board Trustee

Kaumatua and Community Leader

Raised in Pukekohe and the southern reaches of Kaipara with ancestral roots in Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rango, Ngāti Whātua, Richard’s father is from the southern reaches of the Kaipara and up through the Mangakahia valley in Northland. His mother, Kathleen (Te Hira -Topia - Ihaka) is from both sides of the Hokianga, Whirinaki, Panguru, Motuti, Pawarenga –Northland and wife, Pearl Uwhinga Hill, comes from south Kaipara and Awanui/Kaitaia.

Richard was educated in Pukekohe, Manukau Polytech, and the University of Auckland, where he gained the knowledge that has helped him shape his extensive career in leadership and governance. Richard Nahi is a cultural advisor, Kaumatua, and governance leader with over 40 years of experience and dedication to the wellbeing and advancement of his iwi, community, and Aotearoa.

As Principal Cultural Tikanga Advisor for Auckland Council, Richard brings over 15 years of expertise in governance, cultural protocol, and strategic advice. He has worked in various capacities within the Council Strategic Iwi/Māori Relationships, cultural advisor in Parks, Sport & Recreation and now focusing on governance, where his deep understanding of cultural tikanga and community values is integral to guiding decision-making. Richard has been a Trustee of Te Kia Ora Marae and Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua TrustBoard for over 12 years. His work within the iwi has spanned across many areas, including leading the tribal youth development programme for 15 years. This programme involved outdoor activities such as tramping, river canoeing, and mountain climbing, as well as facilitating experiences like sending young people to Outward Bound Anakiwa for personal development. His leadership also extended to sports and cultural activities.

Tim Johnson

Tim's passion for the environment has developed through his love of the family holiday block in Coromandel.

After seeing introduced pests destroy both native and endemic flora and fauna, the time came to do something about it. His passion is working towards Pest Free 2050 by supporting local groups practically and at a strategic level.

Charissa Snijders

As a resident of Herald Island, surrounded by water, Charissa has seen first hand the destruction of the local environment. An award winning Registered Architect, Charissa brings her understanding of the complex living environment and the need for regenerative practice.

Charissa is a strong advocate for freshwater protection and positive action to regenerate natural systems.

Les Wootton

Pest animal trapping is a passion for Les and he volunteers his time across a number of sites through North Auckland.

Les is an active member of Restore teh Landing, assisting in the regeneraion of riparian habitats alongside Oteha Stream.

Nicky Shave

A public health expert by training, Nicky is passionate about the social impacts of environmental change.

Nicky is leading the groundbreaking and award winning project at Rosedale Park, working closely with local iwi, academics, businesses and intergenerational groups. This collaborative approach is breaking the mould for urban regeneration projects.

Sue Brewster

Sue has been part of the ‘for purpose’ sector since 2005, both as an executive leader in her day job and through her voluntary board roles.

Leaving the corporate sales and marketing arena was a no-brainer for her when her daughters were young and Sue has never looked back. She is motivated by making a difference where she can, turning jargon into actionable plans, achieving collective goals and swimming in the sea all year round (well, more like dipping in the winter).

Maeva Ord

Maeva is passionate about systems change that supports thriving communities and ecosystems. She has a Bachelor's Degree in International Business Strategy and Sustainability and is working towards completing her Master's in Environmental Management.

At UWEN, Maeva focuses on creating space for young people to influence environmental decision-making at a local and regional level. She's deeply committed to ensuring restoration efforts are inclusive, equitable, future-focused, and grounded in the values of the communities they serve.

Operational Team

Jan Diprose

Nursery Niche

Jan has been caring for the Herald Island environment since 1993 and is a key leader in the Herald Isaland Environmental Group since it's inception in 2016

Jan leads the group's project "Bringing back the Birds" and continues to work tirelessly to eradicate pest plants and increase the stock of native plants on the island.

Annette Mitchell

Advocacy

Annette is the coordinator of Living Whenuapai which cares for a number of local reserves in the area. With pest plant and animal control in place, the volunteer team are making huge improvements to the ecological value of public land.

Annette is also passionate about protecting the land for future generations and advocates for the protection of water and land.

Nicholas Mayne

Nursery Niche

Nicholas has been caring for his local park, Unsworth Reserve, since 2006 and is part of the Christian Conservation group A Rocha. He was the original instigator and convenor of this group and has been an active member ever since.

Nicholas grows thousands of locally sourced, native plants in his backyard which are shared with other groups in UWEN.

Nicola Robertson

Operations Team member

Nicola is the EcoFacilitator for Greenhithe Community Trust and enjoys empowering and supporting the residents to care for Greenhithe's environment, whether it be in their backgardens or in our treaures local reserves.

Nicola also supports the Network Manager and Pest Coordinator roles in her capacity as Workplan Manager.

Savannah Carter-Green

Operations Team member

Savannah is an actve member of Sustainable Paremoremo and her passion is for food production. She is currently working on the curation and development of a heritage tree orchard in Paremoremo and is an active member of the Kai Rākau group.

Pest animal control is a key part of this work to protect both plants and the fruit they produce.

Our Team

The mahi (work) of our volunteers is supported and enhanced through the efforts of our valued team members

Rachael Pates

Network Manager

Rachael has a degree in Environment Management and a passion for working with and alongside community and volunteer groups.

Rachael provides generalised suppport to UWEN groups drawing on her varied work experience.

Louis Foot

Pest Coordinator

Louis studied Environmental Management at Dunedin University. He has been involved with trapping and habitat restoration for the yellow eyed penguin.

Louis supports UWEN with his knowledge and skills in pest animal and plant control