West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board members

Dr Mike Legge of Charleston (Chairperson)

Appointment Term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026

Mike is an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Otago School of Biomedical Sciences. He has previously served on the Conservation Board from 2011-17, when he helped develop the Paparoa National Park Management Plan. He has been heavily involved in conservation, both in a practical and in a governance capacity for many years. Mike has Chaired a number of international scientific and ethics committees relating to health sciences including European Commission Expert Panels on Biological Sciences and Ethics. He has a strong interest in policy development, public participation processes, advocacy and policy communication. Most recently, he was a member on the Aquatic Working Group, and was involved in the establishment of the National Plan of Action for Seabirds in 2020.  Currently he Chairs the Faculty of Science, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and provides expert advice to scientific health professional groups in New Zealand. Mike was nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae. 

Katie Milne of Lake Brunner (Deputy Chairperson)

Appointment term: 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2026

Katie is a fifth generation West Coaster and dairy farmer, a Director on the Predator Free 2050 Limited Board, the Chair of Predator Free South Westland, a member of the Todd Foundation board, and is the Director of The Aspen Institute New Zealand. She was the National President of Federated Farmers NZ between 2017-20, the first female president in the history of the organisation. Katie is experienced in leadership, advocacy, and governance in the agricultural sector. Katie has also served on the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, chaired the West Coast TB Free Committee, and was a member of the Farmer Mental Wellness Strategy Group. She has proven environmental and community leadership abilities, and has an extensive network of contacts within New Zealand.

Veronica Baldwin of Christchurch

Appointment Term: 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2024

Veronica is nominated by her iwi Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and is from Te Tai Poutini. She is a managing director of an environmental and conservation consultancy, which provides strategic advice to Ngāi Tahu and Poutini Ngāi Tahu. She is recognised for her skills and expertise in Māori governance, collaboration with central and local government, community engagement, policy development and implementation, and parliamentary processes. Veronica is an experienced resource management and environmental policy professional and has extensive experience in working for her iwi and hapū, and with central and local government. Veronica is a Ministerial appointee to the Government’s Māori Climate Platform, working with tangata whenua to enable Māori-led climate action and planning to build climate resilience.

Ashley Cassin of Hokitika

Appointment Term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Ashley is a Southern Ward Councillor and the Deputy Mayor of Westland District Council, through this he also sits on the Te Tai o Poutini Combined District Plan committee. Having worked extensively in both Tourism and Event Management, he is passionate about managing these opportunities within the Conservation Estate, especially with his prior governance roles as Chairman of Glacier Country Tourism Group and as a board member of the New Zealand Events association. Ashley has a deep-seated love for recreation in our incredible natural environment here on Te Tai o Poutini, it is a driving force for his choice to make this place his home. This love for the outdoors has also seen him complete two Godzones and both a one and two-day Coast to Coast.

Danual Cattermoul of Greymouth

Appointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024

Dan (Ngāi Tahu) has experience in fundraising for a number of nature conservation organisations and brings a strong advocacy focus to the Board. He also provides an in-depth understanding of Te Tiriti principles from an environmental perspective, which goes hand in hand with his past work experience. Working in community engagement within the Health sector, there are strong overlaps of hearing and responding to the needs of the communities.

Diana (Di) Rossiter of Westport

Appointment Term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2024

Di is a committed environmental advocate and strategic thinker, and works to drive essential change for nature as well as local communities. She uses her background to take an expert science-based approach to conservation issues. Di is also actively involved in her community through her governance positions with the Kawatiri Nature Environment and Communities Trust (KNECT), as well as co-chairing the Board of Trustees for a local primary school.

Dr Lisa Steenhauer of Greymouth

Appointment Term: 23 November 2021 to 30 June 2025

Lisa is the Head of Learning, Science at Westland High School in Hokitika; her teaching background provides advanced communication skills, with the ability to speak publicly on complex issues. Lisa has a PhD in Aquatic Microbial Ecology and a MSc in Zoology; her education and experience as a PhD researcher demonstrate excellent scientific knowledge and understanding, particularly of New Zealand species and biodiversity. Lisa was a member of Kawatiri Freshwater Management Unit, an advisory Committee of the West Coast Regional Council for freshwater quality, and has previously contracted to the Department of Conservation as a Technical Freshwater Advisor.

John Taylor of Reefton

Appointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

John is a mining heritage consultant offering a unique perspective of both primary industry and the heritage space. Being a former Board member, he is seen as having a very level head, good skills and experience as a member and always brought that community connection to the table. Mr Taylor has extensive knowledge of the West Coast, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Reefton community’s preservation and promotion of the regions heritage sites and use for recreational activities. He is the New Zealand representative on the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy’s Heritage Committee, and is a member of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand’s Geoheritage Subcommittee.

Dr Barry Wards of Wellington

Appointment Term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Dr Wards grew up on a sheep and cattle farm in West Otago and a large runholding on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and spent a large part of his younger years exploring the remote areas of Southland, Otago and the West Coast. Currently, he is a Principal Adviser to the Chief Departmental Science Adviser at the Ministry for Primary Industries and has a strong biological science background. He is a past member and Chairperson of the Wellington Conservation Board (2014-21) and led the review of the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy (CMS), released in 2019. He has been active in conservation for over 45 years, is a past-President of Forest & Bird and has chaired the local Upper Hutt Branch of Forest & Bird for 25 years. Barry has extensive experience in leadership, governance, advocacy, strategic planning, and community engagement. He is a keen tramper, has traversed many of New Zealand’s wild places, and is passionate about protecting New Zealand’s indigenous flora and fauna.

Robert Wilson of South Westland

Appointment term: 14 December 2021 to 30 June 2025

Robert (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe – Kati Māhaki ki Makaawhio hapū) was nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Robert is a dairy farmer and seventh generation South Westlander, who grew up practicing traditional mahinga kai and mātauranga Māori. He has followed a passion for hunting and fishing all over the West Coast and, throughout his 40+ years of residing in the area, has developed extensive community networks. Robert is Chair and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio representative on the South Westland Freshwater Management Unit, and Tangata Tiaki for Ngāti Mahaki (Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio).