Auckland Conservation Board members

Nicola MacDonald of Auckland (Chairperson)

Appointment term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2024

Nicola (Ngāti Rehua, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa, Te Atiawa, and Ngāti Maru ki Taranaki), is a current member of a number of governance bodies, including the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee, and the Māori Women’s Welfare League. She has experience in leading environmental programmes such as the Restore Rakitū and Bring Back Kōkako projects.

Dr Achyut Aryal of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

Dr Aryal offers excellent diversity of perspective from his expeircnes working and studiying aboard, having worked and researched extensively on Nepalese methods of conservation. He is the CEO of CC Training Academy, an Associate with Massey University, and holds other senior roles with the University of Sydney. Dr Aryal also has varied and significant experience, particularly in academia in relation to species and biology conservation.

Rahul Chopra of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

Rahul is a Sustainability and Climate Action Consultant and provides expertise in issues relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable environmental management. He is experienced in public policy, communications, and stakeholder relations, and in developing transformative outcome-based strategic guidance, as well as specialist scientific and technical advice. Rahul is currently a Board Member of Pest Free Kaipatiki Restoration Society, and Principal Consultant, Forum Director, and Editor of New Zealand Sustainability & Policy Leaders Forum.

Pippa Coom of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

Pippa brings extensive experience and knowledge of community conservation, community engagement, cultural competency, governance and planning. Until recently Ms Coom was an elected member of the Auckland Council and a former Co-chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, with extensive knowledge of regional environmental issues. Ms Coom has wide networks and experience of working with Māori. She would bring legal skills which is an identified gap among the continuing members.

Nerissa Henry of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Nerissa (Ngāpuhi, NgāiTakoto, Ngāti Awa) brings experience and knowledge of community conservation, community engagement, cultural competency, governance and planning to the Board. Ms Henry sits on a number of public bodies including the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority and the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum, with wide connections to the Auckland community and volunteer sectors. Ms Henry has knowledge of kaitakitanga and the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Mervyn Kerehoma of Orakei

Appointment term: 7 July 2020 to 30 June 2026

Mervyn (Ngāti Karaua and Ngāti  Whanaunga) is nominated by Ngāti Whatua rōpū nominee. He serves Ngati Whatua Orakei on the whenua as a poutaki lead. As an active kaitiaki his cultural leadership guides the communities he works within by leading karakia, mihimihi and kapahaka. Mr Kerehoma has led big projects within Tāmaki Makaurau such as Wynyard Quarter Rain Gardens, Ecological Restoration Pourewa.

Dr Shane Lavery of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024

Shane is a Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and offers over 40 years’ experience in marine and terrestrial biological conservation research. He has extensive knowledge of biodiversity and has served on several advisory boards.

Tori Ngataki of Te Kauwhata

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Tori (Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Waiohua, Waikato, Maniapoto) is the Waiohua Tamaki rōpū entity nominee. She is the current Chair of the Ngāti Tamaoho Trust and of the Settlement Trust. She completed her MBA in 2018 to support her aspirations to support her people regarding the revitalisation of their whakapapa, their taiao, and wellbeing. Currently they are working on revitalising indigenous fauna and flora around the Manukau Harbour and seeking to restore their cultural practices around these to enhance their whakapapa as Ngāti Tamaoho. 

Gael Ogilvie of Auckland

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2025

Gael is the Director of Nature's Grace Aotearoa. She has extensive governance experience, serving on a number of Boards and Steering Groups concerned with environmental sustainability. She is currently a Board member of the NZ Ecolabelling Trust.

Kate Waterhouse of Auckland and Aotea

Appointment term: 19 November 2019 and 30 June 2024

Kate is an experienced business and conservation leader with strategy, facilitation and change experience across the public and private sector in New Zealand and overseas. Kate advocates for a collaborative approach to biodiversity protection and ecosystems restoration.  She is Chair of the Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, served six years on the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee and is a trustee of the Hauturu Supporters Trust. She recently completed a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Auckland. 

Fred Wilson of Waiuku

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2026

Fred (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Maru, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) is the Marutuahu rōpū entity nominee for the Board. He has been involved in conservation on the Awhitu Peninsula, with the Shoreline Kids programme, riparian planting, coastal planting for sand dune stabilisation and native planting programmes. He has a strong understanding of te ao Māori including the iwi landscape of the Auckland region.