Leading the team since January 2016, Janet has worked at Council, in the community and as a consultant. Although residing in her beloved western beaches, she has ‘come home’ to Kaipātiki (Janet grew up in Beach Haven) where she is excited to be supporting the team to address the biodiversity and climate crisis.

Contact Janet here. 

Derek joined the team in May 2016 and admits he is a lucky chap to have a full-time job that represents his passion and uses all his training. Derek’s main responsibilities are to manage plant production in the nursery and work with our volunteers. His advice and support to community groups and individuals is highly sought after.

Contact Derek here.

Joining the team in June 2019 Joanne is keen to identify, analyse and action opportunities for organisational growth, and communicate the positive impacts Kaipātiki Project’s activities deliver across the community. She enjoys applying creative thinking to the workplace and building strong partnerships between our organisation and our funders.

Contact Joanne 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.

Robyn is a North Shore local and is passionate about zero waste initiatives. In addition to being part of our team, Robyn also teaches business and project management at Te Wananga o Aotearoa based at the YMCA Akoranga and is a part-time info centre staffer for Kainga Ora’s Northcote information centre.

Contact Robyn 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 for the past 13 years with her Kiwi husband and two daughters. Anna manages a comprehensive Compost Collective digital platform to ensure our courses are well promoted and attended.

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.

Passionate about the wellbeing and protection of our people and Earth, and with 4 years in Para Kore and Zero Waste activation, Waiata worked alongside Auckland communities to reduce waste and inspire conscious connection with our environment from Te Ao Māori perspective. Waiata hopes to grow her knowledge in food gardens and to share and connect with our community and the Earth.

Contact Waiata here.

Joining the team in 2021, Dan has spent the last 9 years practicing 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.

Elim has spent years working in the mental health & addictions sector, supporting Te Toka Tumai services to implement Rainbow responsive practice. He is excited to bring his skills in facilitation, consultation and programme management back into the conservation space. Outside of work, Elim can be found walking in the Waitākere ranges, or subjecting his flatmates to his love of opera.

Contact Elim here.

Samantha joined us in 2023 and brings 20 years of experience as an educator in the classroom and outdoors.  When Samantha is not facilitating an awesome education experience, you can find her with a pair of gardening gloves on or playing board games with her children. 

Contact Samantha here.

Nick joined us in 2023. After a varied career in the public sector, an interest in rewilding and a desire for change led to roles in ecological restoration projects and a passion for native plants and biodiversity. Nick is happiest outdoors, rain or shine. While waiting for his kids' activities to finish, he reads crime fiction, listens to podcasts, and memorises the scientific plant names.

Contact Nick here.