Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board members

Aneika Young of Nelson (Co-Chairperson)

Appointment term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2024

Aneika (Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, and Ngāti Ruanui) is Kaiāwhina Māori/Māori Cultural Advisor and Māori Business Development, environmental scientist and researcher for Cawthron Institute in Nelson.  She has a background as consultant in Māori Resource Management.  She has wide interests in outdoor recreation and has been a walk and kayak guide in Abel Tasman National Park.  She is an iwi representative on the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, is a trustee of Te Āwhina Marae and an alternate director for Ngāti Rārua Te Ātiawa Trust on Tiakina te Taiao.

Nicky Eade of Pelorus Sound (Co-Chairperson)

Appointment term: 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2026

Nicky currently combines guiding work in Totaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, with work on several conservation and restoration projects. She previously worked as an Environmental Scientist with a focus on biodiversity and land management. She has significant experience in consultation, advocacy, research and publication, and cultural awareness. She has a Masters in Resource Management. 

Dr Serean Adams of Nelson

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Serean brings marine science and aquaculture experience, with a PhD in Marine Science and experience working with iwi on aquaculture matters. Dr Adams has a senior leadership role in Cawthron Institute, leading research programmes, and strategy and business development.  She was previously involved with the DOC Kakapo Recovery Programme carrying out cryopreservation research.

Ian Alach of Takaka Valley

Appointment term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2024

Ian is a self-employed small farmer and conservation consultant.  He has extensive experience supervising contractor projects on conservation land.  He has been carrying out wilding conifer control voluntarily on Molesworth for many years as well as at Beeby’s Knob in Mt Richmond Forest Park.  He is a member of the Golden Bay Alpine Tramping Club, secretary of the Takaka Dog Trial Club and co-president of the Takaka Badminton Club.

Scott Burnett of Nelson

Appointments term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

Scott has a business and governance background related to volunteering and conservation. He understands the Te Tau Ihu iwi context and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and has completed a Masters’ degree focused on the relationships of eco-sanctuaries with Māori. Mr Burnett remains active and committed to conservation efforts in the Marlborough Sounds.

Lorraine Hawke of Kaikōura

Appointment term: 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2025

Lorraine (Ngāi Tahu o Ngāti Kūri me Ngāi Tuahuriri, Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāti Mamoe me Waitaha, Rangitāne) was nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Lorraine is a former Māori Response Counsellor with a strong interest in Māori Workforce Development and Māori Health. Lorraine has a background in governance, policy, and whānau development with a strong cultural awareness of the principles of rangatiratanga, manawhenua and mana moana. She chairs te Ahi Wairua o Kaikoura Charitable Trust as one of the co-founders of the service, is the key liaison and chair of Te Rūnganga o Kaikoura Molesworth working committee and the St James Reclassification Project steering committee. Lorraine’s interests are varied, however she is particularly drawn to kaupapa relating to cultural creative arts, rongoa, writing and composition.

Clint McConchie of Kaikōura

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024

Clint (Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kuri) was nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu . He is a Natural Resource Manager and has formerly had roles in farm management. He brings experience in, and knowledge of, RMA, land and environmental management, sustainable practices, and biodiversity to the board.

Brian McGurk of Nelson

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025

Brian has strong governance and planning experience after three terms as a Nelson City Councillor and is also a qualified RMA Commissioner. He has community connections in the Nelson area and was involved in the governance of a number of the Council’s biodiversity projects

Rima Piggott of Motueka

Appointment term: 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2025

Rima (Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa Rangitira, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāiterangi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a home health support worker and has a certificate in Horticultural Management. Rima has broad community involvement and is a Trustee for Te Rūnunga o Ngāti Rārua and a member of the Manawhenua ki Mohua Trust. She enjoys tramping, fishing, hunting, diving, gardening and gathering kai moana. 

Archdeacon Emeritus Harvey Ruru of Nelson

Appointment term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2024

Harvey (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, and Moriori) is the Chair of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka a Māui Trust. He is the longest continuing foundation member of the Trust since 1993 and has had a long involvement as co claims negotiator for Te Ātiawa Trust towards the Waitangi Tribunal Claims settlement process, successfully providing three researched Waitangi Tribunal Claims to the hearings.

In 2016 he retired as NZ Police Iwi Liaison Officer and Coordinator for Nelson and Tasman Police District after 14 years. He has had an extensive career in nursing as a NZ Registered Comprehensive Nurse with Bachelor of Nursing Degree with advanced University post graduate qualifications in Mental Health nursing.

Harvey is an Anglican Priest. He has been involved with NZ Maori Council for many years where he is a long serving Executive member and has wide ranging governance experience and member of Iwi/Maori organisations, such as: Cawthron Institute Trust Board; former member of Chief Judge Maori Land Court Rules Committee; and, Te Taumata Governance member of South Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency.

Dr Jennifer (Jen) Skilton of Nelson

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Dr Skilton (Te Atiawa) would contribute to the Board’s cultural capability and strengthen Māori representation. She has a PhD in ecology, with specific expertise in aquatic and restoration ecology. She is based in Nelson but works across the region, including Marlborough, as a Taiao adviser for Ngāti Apa.