Our team are passionate about protecting New Zealand’s coastal and marine environment. Our members come from a diverse range of backgrounds and share a common goal; to engage and work with local communities, groups and governing agencies to take an active role in protecting the coastal and marine environment. Meet some of our leadership and core team members below:
coordination team
shrestha singh
Shrestha has a postgraduate diploma in Biosecurity and Conservation. She aims to develop sustainable measures to conserve the environment, and to ensure that it will be available for the current and future generation. Shrestha is an active community volunteer, and loves baking, reading and exploring beaches and regional parks around New Zealand.
Role: Regional Coordinator – Auckland Region.
Jane Gardiner
Jane has a Master’s in marine conservation and a BSc in marine biology and philosophy. She has a great respect for, and is fascinated by, the natural world, and wants do what she can to promote the preservation of marine ecosystems. In her spare time Jane loves to go on seabird research trips, hike through the bush and snorkel among the fishes.
Role: Regional Coordinator – Hawke’s Bay Region.
Tasmin McCormack
Tasmin has a MSc in Environmental Management focused on fisheries and a BSC in Geography and Environmental Studies. As a keen fisher and diver she is passionate about making sure our marine environment is sustainably managed and maintained for future generations. Tasmin’s other interests include travel cooking and reading.
Role: Regional Coordinator – Wellington Region.
Shalini Sanjeshni
Marlene Youl
Marlene studied Zoology at Otago University with a minor in Marine Science. She passionate about environmental conservation and enjoys volunteering in the community to promote sustainable living. Her other hobbies include hiking, gardening and travelling.
Role: Social Media Coordinator.
Lesl van der Voorn
Lesl has a background in communications and marketing. She is passionate about driving positive change for marine conservation through meaningful conversation and action, and endeavours to improve and enhance our future environmental ecosystems. Lesl enjoys wandering the coast, and exploring native bush.
Role: Communications Coordinator.
Calvin Quigley
Calvin is a PhD candidate at Victoria University studying genetic connectivity in marine species. He loves scuba and freediving, and still fantasises about living on a sailboat, reef hopping from island to island. Growing up in Florida, his heart still lies in the Atlantic/Caribbean, “but hey man, it’s all one ocean.”
Role: Regional Coordinator – Wellington.
Ruby de Grut
Ruby studied environmental management and politics at the university of Otago. Passionate about sustainability and challenging/changing the traditional ways of society, which adversely impact our planet. Lover of the ocean and will happily give you reasons and the tools to cut down on plastic use.
Role: Events Coordinator – Christchurch
marissa kelderman
Marissa has a graduate diploma in Sustainable Management and a background in working with youth. Her passion is to see NZ waste transformed, including rubbish in our oceans and waterways. She loves to be in the water and spends most of her summers at the beach or a lake. Her other passions include snowboarding, walking, and cooking.
Role: Regional Coordinator – Dunedin.
social media team
Fiona Aspdin
Fiona has a background in digital marketing and communications. She is passionate about protecting the beautiful oceans that nurture and feed all the different ecosystems on the planet. Fiona believes in the importance of education through effective communication in order to help us all live a more sustainable lifestyle. When she is not working Fiona can be found practicing yoga, doing an activity in the ocean, or travelling.
Role: Social Media Admin
James Nikitine
James is a French and British marine scientist, filmmaker and digital communications expert,
originally from the Léman, French Alps and Geneva region. He is a member of
IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas and an active contributor to its marine young
professionals task force. He now lives in Christchurch, New Zealand and is a Fellow with the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
Role: Social Media Admin
Janice Huang
Janice is passionate about wildlife conservation and sustainability, and currently works in the eco-tourism industry. She has a degree in Zoology and Marine Science from Otago University, and believes that we are instinctively equipped with the ability to care for nature, and the best way to practice this ability is to spend more time in nature. Janice enjoys tramping and the great outdoors in her spare time.
Role: Social Media Admin
Michelle Brett
inde halligan
Athena Rhodes
Athena is a wildlife photographer and writer. She can be found hiding in bushes or up a tree with the birds and her trusty camera. When she is not lying in bird poop, trying to get that perfect photo of a swan, she can be found inhaling coffee or reading up on New Zealand flora and fauna. She is deeply passionate about wildlife and conservation and loves to volunteer for these causes.
Role: Social Media Admin
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