The Hawke's Bay Biodiversity Foundation will enable the Strategy. The Foundation will work to secure the funds needed to rapidly grow the level of biodiversity related activities in our region - beyond the 'business-as-usual' funds already available to Councils and other management agencies.
The Foundation Board has three set positions and can have up to five other board members. Board members come from across Hawke's Bay region and represent a range of interests and expertise including leaders in agriculture, iwi, science and business.
Charles has 35 years’ experience as an academic research leader primarily at Victoria University and substantial governance experience in conservation and environmental restoration projects. He has been involved in the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay project since retiring to Hawkes Bay in 2016. Charles is an Honorary Doctorate of University of Waikato and a Trustee of Predator Free New Zealand Trust.
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Des is the founder and principal of Te Roopu Kaitiaki O Te Wai Maori. This is a cultural environmental consultancy specialising in water quality, cultural remedies, riparian management and cultural mapping of waterways. In 2018 Des was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori. Des brings considerable experience in cultural engagement to the table.
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, James has been Chief Executive since June 2017, having previously served as the Council’s Group Manager Strategic Development. Prior to working at the Council, James was Deputy Secretary Sector Strategy at the Ministry for the Environment and Director Strategy at both the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before that. James is a former Chairperson and Trustee of the Eastern and Central Community Trust, and has previously served two terms as a trustee of the Hawkes Bay Power Consumers’ Trust. The Regional Council will automatically hold one seat on the Board
Connies is the Chair Biodiversity Guardians, a role which automatically holds a seat on the Foundation Board. Connie is the Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay Department of Conservation and the Chair of the Biodiversity Guardians. Connie has been working in the department for over a decade having spent time working across Taranaki, Whanganui, the Chatham Islands before coming to the Hawkes Bay. She has a passion for biodiversity and how that connects and relates to landowners, iwi and the community to support a sustainable future for all.
Mike has served on and chaired a number of committees and boards involved with land management and forestry issues. He is also a Trustee for the Guthrie-Smith Trust.
Mark is a fourth generation farmer from Korokipo, originally dairy farming, now apple and kiwifruit farming. As a custodian of the land, he is passionate about sustainable practices and enhancing the natural environment surrounding his orchards and the wider Hawke's Bay. Mark writes, "as a board member of Biodiversity Hawke's Bay, I am very proud to be part of an organisation that makes a difference for our future generations and I am excited to join the team and help create a legacy in this wonderful region we live in".
James’ career has included roles as a research scientist, public sector Chief Executive, and strategy consultant. He is currently Chair of the New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, the Better Border Biosecurity research collaboration and the OSPRI Stakeholders’ Council, as well as co-Chair of the Biosecurity 2025 Steering Group. James has worked extensively in governing collaborative ventures, with a strong focus on environmental issues (conservation, biosecurity, biodiversity), facilitating partnerships between research organisations, universities, government agencies and industry sector groups. After splitting his time between Hawkes Bay and Wellington for 8 years, James recently moved permanently to Haumoana.
A relative newcomer to Hawkes Bay, Christine lives on an organic orchard and garden near Hastings. She has been actively involved in community conservation in the Manawatu while working at Massey University for nearly 30 years. Christine says, "I’m passionate about the indigenous biodiversity of Aotearoa and keen to play a part in supporting the efforts of all those working to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity in our region. I bring knowledge of local government planning processes from my many years of research and teaching in environmental planning. By working together, iwi and hapu, businesses, councils and communities will see huge gains in biodiversity".
As Project Manager for the Biodiversity Strategy, Genevieve has a secretariat role with the Foundation Board.
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