2000 Northland Conservation Board Appointments

25 August 2000

2000 NORTHLAND CONSERVATION BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Conservation Minister Sandra Lee today announced the new appointments to the Northland Conservation Board.

They are Ruawai farmer Kevin Evans, marine biologist Lew Ritchie, Whangarei educationalist and Tikipunga High School assistant principal Georgina Stewart, Ngati Whatua administrator Halley Toia and mid-north farmer Geoff Wightman.

These five appointees join existing board members Richard Alspach, Derek Keene, Maxine Shortland and Judith Steele to make up the new Northland Conservation Board.

Northland conservancy community relations manager Jeff Griggs said,

"Conservation boards have a unique role to play within the public conservation sector. They are independent bodies providing for important interaction between the community and the Department of Conservation on local conservation issues."

"I believe those people appointed will make a positive contribution to the Northland Conservation Board's work. These people bring a diversity of new skills which will both complement those already represented on the board, and have relevance to the issues the board will face in the immediate
future," Mr Griggs added.

"The contributions of outgoing members are appreciated and will be missed. However, changes in board membership are essential in ensuring others get a chance to have input on local conservation issues,” he said.

Kevin Evans, Ruawai (Farmer)

Councillor, Northland Fish & Game Council, Brown Teal Captive Management Co-ordinator; Brown Teal Recovery Group member; Northland Conservancy Brown Teal Species Management team member; Founding Trustee, Brown Teal Conservation Trust; Operation Head Start, Tuatara; Treasurer, NZOA, Northland Branch.

Lew Ritchie, Whangarei (Marine Biologist)

Mr Ritchie was co-opted onto the board earlier this year and is now a full member of the Board.

Mr Ritchie is an ecotourism operator specialising in offshore islands in Northern NZ. He actively promotes and teaches marine ecology and conservation and is involved as a consultant for the proposed stopping of fishing in areas of special benthic community between North Cape and Cape Reinga;

He also has extensive overseas marine ecology experience including assessment of marine areas of West Bali. Has had numerous papers, reports and articles published mainly focused on fisheries and marine conservation.

Ms Georgina Stewart (Assistant Principal, Tikipunga High)

Member, Science/Putaiao expert panel; member of Forest & Bird Society, Northland Branch; active in marae events.

A secondary school teacher proficient in te reo Maori me ona tikanga and with strong ties to Ngapuhi iwi.

Ms Stewart said she has always had a deep love for native flora and fauna and would value the chance to contribute to the future of NZ wildlife and natural resources.

Harerei (Halley) Toia, (Clerical with Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua)

Employed in the fields of fisheries, Resource Management and asset management for Ngati Whatu. Mr Toia has experience in the area of resource management and fisheries and with dealing with other organisations and Crown from an iwi/Maori perspective.

Geoffery Wightman (Farmer)

Chairman, Waimate North Landcare Trust; Life member, Mid North Farm Forestry Association.

Mr Wightman, a 1999 Northland Conservation Award winner has had a longtime interest in conservation, caring for the environment both practically and philosophically.

He has given a lot of time in assisting with the establishment of Landcare Trusts and how to go about effective restoration programmes.

Departing members of the board are Gloria Herbert, Roger Mulvay and Melanie Closs

For more information please contact Jeff Griggs on (09)438 0299

© Scoop Media