Waikato Conservation Board members

Alexia Becroft of Taupiri

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2026

Alexia is a self-employed dairy farmer with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Environmental Science and Biology. She holds a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management and has participated in FoodHQ’s Strategic Thinking for Agrifood Management Programme. Alexia is deeply committed to supporting the primary sector in making meaningful change towards a sustainable future.

Tama Blackburn of Te Kūiti

Appointment term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2028

Tama is an experienced tourism operator and has experience in collaboration with Iwi, community governance projects and project implementation. He has been involved in a number of environmental projects including predator management, community engagement and education. He will bring a strong Māori focus and perspective from the southern region of the Waikato Conservation Board.

Iwi Affiliation: Ngāti Maniapoto

Robin (Rob) Chappell of Coromandel (Chairperson)

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.

Dr Shelley Langton-Myers of Pokeno

Appointment term: 2 July 2021 to 30 June 2028

Shelley is an Ecologist, Entomologist, and Lecturer for the EcoQuest Centre for Indigeneity, Ecology and Creativity. She brings a conservation science background to the Board, and is well versed in conservation issues, policy, and eco-tourism.

Heather McGuire of Tuakau

Appointment Term: 6 August 2025 to 30 June 2026

Heather has had a long career in teaching with a focus teaching those with special needs. She has excellent oral, written, organisation and problem solving skills, which she has applied to her passion for the environment at entry level. She has experience in weed eradication and native planting with community groups and has worked to address the collective responsibility to mitigate climate change through sustainable practices. Ms McGuire’s role within Environment Action Tuakau Inc. (EAT) has involved researching and sourcing material while connecting with all people Government - Councils - Iwi - Local Community who are working in this area.

Nagarajah Manoharan of Hamilton

Appointment term: 01 November 2024 to 30 June 2027

Nagarajah is an experienced manager, with 30 years of estimating work, 20 years on the MSD Benefits Review Board, and 7 years of face-to-face research monitoring. He is also the past Chairperson of Southeast Kirikiriroa Community Association, past President of the Waikato Ethnic Council. Nagarajah is currently the Waikato Supervisor for the National Research Bureau, and the President of the United Nations Association of New Zealand (Waikato branch).

Charlotte Muggeridge of Hamilton (Deputy Chairperson)

Appointment term: 2 July 2021 to 30 June 2027

Charlotte is a resource management lawyer. She has extensive experience in environmental issues having sat on a number of environmental and community boards at local, regional, and international levels. Charlotte regularly presents on environmental issues both locally and nationally.
Charlotte is the co-author of New Zealand’s first legal textbook on Subdivisions (Subdivisions Law and Practice, LexisNexis, 2024). She was awarded the Property Council Central Region Judge’s Choice award in 2022 for her contribution to the industry.

Dr Aroon Parshotam of Hamilton

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2027

Aroon has over 25 years of experience in environmental science, environmental management and economics. Aroon also participates in various science management groups including being on the editorial board of Frontiers of Environmental Economics in Ecological Economics.

Dr David Pattemore of Morrinsville

Appointment term: 1 November 2024 to 30 June 2027

David as a senior scientist and lecturer brings extensive experience in conservation biology, ecosystem science, ecology, pollination biology, horticultural & agricultural land management, community group management, conservation advocacy, partnerships with iwi/hapū and resource management law.