Joining us in 2025, Teresa brings extensive experience across charitable trusts, private enterprises, tertiary education, and local government. Her leadership in operational resilience, digital transformation, and community engagement empowers sustainability projects. Beyond her professional achievements, Teresa loves spending time outdoors—walking, exploring, and relaxing in nature. Always eager to embrace new experiences Teresa brings an adventurous spirit to her work and life.

Contact Teresa here.

Blanka joined the team in July 2019, and brings 20 years of marketing experience with several of New Zealand’s leading companies. As an enthusiastic brand champion, Blanka is responsible for brand and marketing strategy, and will continue to celebrate Kaipātiki Project through authentic stories of our achievements, vision and values.

Contact Blanka here.

Passionate about soil health and food security, Sarah joined the team in September 2023 after 12 years of corporate career around data-informed decision making and finance. She looks forward to helping improve processes and contributing towards supercharging the team's impact.  

Contact Sarah here.

After working in restoration in the Waitakere Ranges and the Whau River Catchment for over a decade, Neil joined our team in November 2018. As project manager for Weed Free Trust, Neil developed many useful tools and educational materials to assist private property owners as well as volunteers working on public land.

Contact Neil here.

Anna worked as a volunteer in the Kaipātiki Project nursery for 18 months before joining the team in August 2017. Originally from Sweden, she has lived in Glenfield. Anna managed a comprehensive Compost Collective digital platform to ensure our courses are well promoted and attended, and manages accounts and payroll.

Contact Anna here.

Previously one of our longest-serving and most treasured volunteers, Crystal is now on the payroll part-time, doing what she does best; tending to plant health in our Birkdale nursery, and assisting volunteers with disabilities to be part of the team.

Contact Crystal here.

Judith has joined the team to coordinate and develop our teaching garden, as well as to establish a community composting hub at Hobsonville site. Judith also teaches a zero waste program in pre-schools and is passionate about getting people growing food in their backyards and communities, growing her own food forest in her backyard. 

Contact Judith here.

Maria joined the team in July 2021, following a stint in restoration volunteering. Maria has MsD in Ecology, and was doing research on dynamics of the karst cave geosystems in Bulgaria, her home country. Now her interest focuses in native New Zealand forest and riparian zones and their conservation. 

Contact Maria here.

Joining the team in 2021, Dan has spent the last 9 years practising and teaching Permaculture. He is passionate about social and environmental transformation and is excited to be using his skills in communication to share the amazing stories of the Kaipatiki Project's impact.

Contact Dan here.

Natahma is our Eco Hub Coordinator, as well as working on other sustainability projects. Natahma is passionate about protecting and regenerating our natural environment, working together as a community, and living sustainably.

Contact Natahma here.

Joining in March 2024, Nicola manages the nursery and works alongside many passionate volunteers. Her role is focused on growing strong native plants that help regenerate local areas. Nicola has a horticulture and permaculture background and is interested in biodynamics. She has been a Beach Haven local for many years enjoying the amazing environment that the Kaipātiki region has to offer.

Contact Nicola here.

Joining us in 2024, Erin is passionate about sustainability, inclusivity and corporate social impact. She has extensive experience in community engagement and partnerships. Known as 'business-minded but community-hearted,' Erin excels at connecting people and organisations for meaningful change. A dedicated Kaipātiki local, she champions sustainability initiatives part-time while raising her twin boys.

Contact Erin here.

Karla is passionate about community well-being, sustainability and connection. With a background in project coordination and communication, she thrives on creating opportunities that inspire people to come together and make a positive local impact. Guided by her whakapapa and grandparents' teachings, she embraces kaitiakitanga, self-sufficiency and reducing waste, promoting whānau sustainability and connection to the whenua for future generations.

Contact Karla here.

Anna brings her expertise as a horticultural therapist to our Teaching Garden team, working closely with volunteers to enrich our food-growing and composting practices. With a hands-on approach and a deep passion for sustainable gardening, she fosters wellbeing through nature-based activities while helping cultivate a thriving, eco-conscious community.

Contact Anna here.

Jake joined the team in late 2025 with 10 years of horticultural work experience, including Organic Market Garden management, regenerative landscaping and ecological restoration, as well as a lifelong obsession with things that grow and live. With a BA (Hons) in Illustration and a practise in image making and sculpture, Jake likes to apply his artistic flare and creative approach to gardening as a whole. Jake is most passionate about education and inspiring others to rewild their connection with nature.

Contact Jake here.

Ko Kirioke te maunga, ko Punakitere te Awa, Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka, Ko Te Iringa te marae, Ko Ngāti Tautahi te hapū, Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi. I tipu ake au ki Aotea. He nui tōku aroha ki te ngahere, ki te moana. He tākuta ahau. Kei te ako au i te rongoā māori. Taku whakaaro nui, te kotahitanga. Otira, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ai te iwi.
Hiwa was raised on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, and has whakapapa to Ngāti Tautahi in Te Tai Tokerau. He loves spending time in the forest and in the ocean. His formal training is as a medical doctor and he is also training in rongoā māori. He loves working with the community and believes that caring for the whenua is at the heart of our wellbeing.

Contact Hiwa here.