Southland Conservation Board members

Michael Atwill of Wyndham

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2028

Mr Atwill is knowledgeable about dangerous chemicals or substances and its effects on fisheries. He brings investigative skills to present data in report formats on issues and events. He has experience with advocacy groups and iwi in conjunction with environmental issues. Mr Atwill also has had experience working with Christchurch City Council (Citycare) as an independent EQC Assessor) and is involved with the historic places trust, developing non-invasive inspection methodology. Mr Atwill is a member of the Deer Stalkers Association, Gore.

Joanne (Jo) Bagrie of Mataura

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Jo is an environmental scientist, with a BSc in Ecology and Zoology and has operated a tourism business on public conservation land.  She brings knowledge and exposure to the Treaty / Te Tiriti via studies and work experience and would fills several of the skill gaps on the Board. 

Mark Bryan of Winton

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2027

Mark is a rural veterinarian, farmer, and business owner. He is a Senior Lecturer of Dairy Cattle Medicine at Massey University, Director of Aquila Sustainable Farming Group, and has experience in a number of other executive and governance roles.

Glenda Darling of Wallacetown 

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2028

Glenda is a Director of Black Dog group a small company which has experience with a wide range of Southland and national projects in the environmental data space. She brings a maritime background with an extensive career in maritime and land-based tourism in Fiordland Stewart Island and the NZ Subantarctic which she is still active in, as a communicator of natural and human history. She holds a BSc in Geology and a PG Dip Sci in Environmental Management.

Jessica Rose (Rose) Hanley-Nickolls of Invercargill

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2028

Rose has a broad range of experience in conservation and land management. She has worked on projects across the district, including Rakiura and Sub Antarctic Islands. She currently an Event Co-ordinator for Sport Southland and has a BSc in Zoology.

Roger Hodson of Invercargill

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2027

Roger is a Senior environmental scientist and has a sound understanding of a wide range of natural sciences. Advises Waiau Fisheries and wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust and landowners on protecting and enhancing fisheries and wildlife habitats. He brings a depth of experience in local government and stakeholder management with an established network of strong relationships in the Southland community including iwi, local and central government, crown research institutions and universities.

Dr Jane Kitson of Invercargill

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2026

Nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Dr Kitson leads and works collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams on research at the interface of Mātauranga Māori and Environmental Science. She is heavily involved in mahinga kai restoration and practice, including participating in the annual customary harvest of titi. This role aligns well with her more than twenty years of experience working in mahinga kai, taonga species, and freshwater management, including research, monitoring, and providing advice. Dr Kitson holds a BSc, MSc and PhD in Zoology.

Keith McRobie of Gore

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Keith has a planning background and particular experience in large-scale riparian planting. He has worked for a number of councils in the southern South Island in parks and recreation management. He is currently a Parks and Recreation Manager at Gore District Council

Sharon Salmons of Queenstown

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2026

Sharon is a member of Game Animal Council and brings a huge wealth of tourism knowledge to the board having been in tourism roles since 1999, particularly in Fiordland and have been involved in various community organisations. She also has governance and committee experience. She has volunteered many times with Backcountry trust to rebuild huts and co-ordinate the hunting community the clear traps for a local groups.

Jordan Traill of Invercargill

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2027

Jordan is a botanist and ecologist with a strong knowledge of ecosystems across Southland. His current research focus is on ecological responses to livestock removal on coastal wetlands. He is currently a Programme Manager for the School of Environment at the Southern Institute of Technology and holds a Masters in Environment and a Bachelor of Science. His previous work experience includes Ranger (National Monitoring), Ecologist and Field Biologist.