Chatham Islands Conservation Board members

Robin (Rob) Chappell of Coromandel

Appointment term: 7 July 2020 to 30 June 2026

Robin brings strong nature conservation, marine science, and governance skills to the Board.  He is a former DOC employee and spent five years working on the Chatham Islands. Mr Chappell provides good support to the Board Chair in the governance space. He also has a good understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Richard Goomes of Chatham Islands

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2027

Richard has worked and lived on the island for many years and will bring a range of practical conservation skills to the Board. He has held various positions with DOC including as a Ranger in Aniwaniwa and Great Barrier Island and has a Plant Conservation Management qualification gained through DOC.

Tobias (Toby) Kemp of Chatham Islands

Appointment term; 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2027

Toby brings strong management skills and is a logical science lead thinker. His career as Harbour Master at Waikato Regional Council has given him a good perspective of environmental issues. In addition, he has experience working with DOC in the Chatham Islands in relation to animal events and regeneration planting.

Professor Peter de Lange FLS of Auckland (Chairperson)

Appointment term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2027

Peter is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental & Animal Sciences, New Zealand Institute of Technology, and Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sardinia. Prior to taking up his lecturing position in 2017 Peter was the Threatened Plant Scientist and then a Principal Science Advisor for the Department of Conservation for 27 years. Peter has a long association with the Chatham Islands following his first visit there in 1996. Peter has worked mostly with the threatened plants of the islands, during which time he recognised and described seven new species from the islands (six endemic), usually in collaboration with Dr Peter Heenan of Landcare Research. Peter has also published a number of books and book chapters about the Chatham Islands flora and vegetation.

Levi Lanauze of Chatham Islands

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2027

Levi (Moriori, Ngāti Mutunga, and Ngāi Tahu) is a Farm Manager for Hokotehi Moriori Trust, and Director at Caroline Fishing Company. He was born on Pitt Island and offers intricate knowledge of the environmental and conservation issues in the boards rohe.

Greer Paterson of Chatham Islands

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2027

Greer is a primary school teacher and is self employed for KD construction on Chathams. Greer has helped with various conservation projects over the last few years mostly around tree planting and fencing. She enjoys walking, camping, riding motorbikes and pest control including hunting and trapping.

Denis (Denny) Prendeville of Chatham Islands

Appointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2028

Denny is a sixth-generation Islander that provides strong terrestrial and marine knowledge and experience to the board. He is an ex-Department of Conservation employee who is well connected and engaged in the local community and is well respected by Iwi and Imi.