Our Tīma - Team
This is our organisation kauri and our tīma (team)!
If you want to get in touch with anyone please contact us here and we’ll make sure to connect you with our beautiful people!
Read our values, kaupapa and vision here.
CHAUNCY ARDELL - TRUSTEE
Chauncy is keen to support our planet and its inhabitants based on the cornerstones of social, environmental, economic, cultural, and spiritual sustainability. During his varied life journey, he has explored volcanic Pacific islands, created permaculture tepee retreats, played in noisy punk bands, and has lived in beautiful wildlife reserves. In recent years he has been helping to grow biodiversity restoration with community groups, rangatahi, local and central government, and ordinary folks. One of his roles is the Urban Project Lead for Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Towards Predator Free Taranaki, where he strives to build and maintain a strong collective vision and environmental restoration outcomes with wonderful, diverse communities.
His whānau is grateful to live in Ōmata where they are able to incorporate restoration of bush areas, regenerative farming practices and permaculture food production principles into their busy lives - facing change and uncertainty with wellbeing, connectivity, humour, humility, sustainability, and Aroha.
GLEN BAXTER - TRUSTEE
Glen is passionate about the outdoors and can often be seen on the beautiful tracks of Te Papakura o Taranaki, on the beaches of Ngāmotu and enjoying the coastal walkway on his ebike.
Glen has a passion for helping those in his community engage with what sustainable energy means and its role in a sustainable society and economy. Alongside his role with Sustainable Taranaki, Glen is a policy and insights analyst at Ara Ake – New Zealand’s Future Energy Centre, where he helps those in his wider Aotearoa New Zealand community realise the true value of their energy assets, such as solar and batteries. Glen has a growing interest in how good policy can help drive a sustainable future.
JOE TURTON - OPERATIONS TEAM LEADER
As a passionate educator, Joe is excited to lead the team with the goal of making Taranaki a healthier region. Joe was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in Inglewood and has returned to New Plymouth with whānau after spending 15 years overseas where he co-founded a Green School in Guatemala.
JANE BOWDEN-DOBSON - TE ARA TAIAO KAIWHATU (WEAVER OF THE PROGRAMME) & KAIRURUKU (EDUCATOR)
Jane is an experienced leader in protecting our environment and teaching young people how they can create change. As the new Kairuruku (education coordinator), Jane will connect rangatahi, schools and Ngā Mahanga a Tairi hapū in the Kaitake area. "I'm excited to learn alongside students about our interconnectedness with the Kaitake forest, whenua (land), and awa (rivers)."
Jane is one of three coordinators working in the Te Ara Taiao program, that supports tamariki with their aspirations to care for our region's unique taiao -natural environment. Jane has worked for the Department of Conservation supporting restoration and education initiatives. She loves to explore the beach with her boys or spend time in the garden.
DAVE MALCOLM - JUNCTION ZERO WASTE EDUCATOR
Tēnā koutou katoa. No Kōtirana (Scotland), no Repanona (Lebanon), no Pōtukara (Portugal), no Aerana (Ireland), no Wēra (Wales), no Ingarangi (England), no Ūropi ki te raki (Northern Europe) te whakapaparanga mai ahau.
Engari, Ko Taranaki te Mounga. Ko Huatoki te awa. Ko Ngamotu te Whenua tupu. Ko Vogeltown taku kainga noho. Ko Parakore te Pukenga. Ko Dave Malcolm taku Ingoa.
Nō reira, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou katoa.
—-
Greetings to you all. My ancestors come from Scotland, Lebanon, Portugal, Ireland, Wales, England and Northern Europe.
However, I give blessings to Mount Taranaki. I give blessings to Huatoki Stream. New Plymouth is where I am from. My home is in Vogeltown. Zero Waste is my skill. My name is Dave Malcolm.
Thus, greetings to you all.
MIEKE VERSCHOOR - ORGANIC PROGRAMMES MANAGER & COMMUNITY GARDENS LIAISON
Mieke is leading behaviour change towards turning food waste into resources.
With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mieke brings a unique blend of practical insight, environmental awareness, and community engagement to her work. For the past four years, she has dedicated herself to teaching and inspiring others to connect with the land through accessible, hands-on practices. Mieke has a deep passion for composting and soil health, focusing on simple, effective ways to regenerate soil using natural methods.
ELRIC AUBLANT - COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & NATURE CLEANUPS COORDINATOR
Elric grew up in Dordogne (South West of France), studied both in France and Canada, and move to Aotearoa in 2016 with a background in sports marketing and communication.
He’s been living in Taranaki for four years now and tries to be involved in all the sustainable actions he is passionate about: cycling, reducing waste, growing food and planting native trees, to name a few!
You might find him around Taranaki riding his bike, organising a community cleanup, surfing on the coast, running around the maunga or eating a French pastry (chocolatine!) in town!
TESSA TATE - ST GEORGE’S PATEA COMMUNITY GARDEN COORDINATOR
Tessa lives just out of Pātea in the farming community of Alton with her husband and 3 daughters.
She has always had a passion for gardening especially growing vegetables for her family and is enjoying the community garden as it provides a chance to share that passion and knowledge with others.
SOPHIE WALKER - BUSINESS SUPPORT & FUNDRAISING
Sophie has a background of over 20 years in the tourism industry, in mostly marketing, communications and sustainability based roles. She has a passion for sustainability and supporting individuals and businesses to have a minimal impact on the environment. She has a Masters in Sustainable Tourism Management and ran her own tourism marketing business for 5 years.
Sophie moved to Taranaki with her husband and young family in 2021. She is no a stranger to the region. Her mother is from here, so with whanau to visit she spent every summer here as a child, and then made regular visits as an adult after her parents moved back here 16 years ago. She has a deep love of the Taranaki and Aotearoa outdoors and having adventures with her family. If she’s even on the solo you’ll find her in water at Fitzroy or Back Beach with her surfboard, or lost on the trails at Mangamahoe with her fluorescent green mountain bike!
JENNI HAMMONDS - TARANAKI SUSTAINABLE TRAILS CO-MANAGER & PARTNERS LEAD
Jen is a strong advocate for moving Aotearoa in a direction that values the environment and social justice. She is an educator, designer and entrepreneur who has worked on a number of Sustainable Taranaki projects, including the Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail.
Since its inception, Jen has been involved in the marketing and design of the Trail, and her property Native Nook featured in 2022. Partway through 2023 she took over the management of the event and has hit the ground running. Jen is supported by Mieke and Elric (what a team!), and together they look forward to growing more backyards sustainably!
SUZY RANDALL - ZERO WASTE MANAGER
Working at Sustainable Taranaki, brings together the three things I love the most, people, sustainability and having fun at events!
My journey through life has taken me from studying Environmental Science in Australia, working in food cooperatives in Brisbane, bird conservation in Samoa and biodiversity training for the Dept. of Conservation in Wellington (that’s the Conservation and Sustainability part). To running training and culture change programme for Auckland Live (that’s the events stuff) and most recently Agile ways of working at Genesis (the people part).
I moved to Taranaki in order to be closer to my community, get back into sustainability and volunteer more. When I am not having fun with volunteers at events, I am volunteering at Tūpare, playing in my garden or cycling/tramping/dog walking.
CHERRY SMITH - TE ARA TAIAO KAIRURUKU (EDUCATOR)
He mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa.
He uri o te moana nui a Kiwa, o Ngaiterangi hoki, e mihi ana ki a koutou o Taranaki whānui.
Cherry was raised on a sheep farm in te rohe potae (the King Country) where she developed a deep connection to the land. After homeschooling her four children, Cherry ventured into education - teaching in bilingual and English medium schools, bush school and tertiary education.
After moving to Taranaki, Tiere was blessed with the opportunity to begin her journey learning te reo me ōnā tikanga, which further deepened her connection to the whenua through matauranga māori. Tiere is passionate about learning-through-doing and enjoys hands-on, authentic experiences that nurture both physical and spiritual connections between ourselves and the taiao we are part of.
LINDA HOWE - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Linda has been living in Taranaki for 25 years and working in administration and payroll for a wide range of local businesses. She finds it really interesting and inspiring to work for Sustainable Taranaki, an organisation with a great variety of passionate people all working for a good cause. She claims she has the best office in town, looking over the Pukekura Park and next to the Brooklands Zoo!
DOMINIC BELL - MARFELL COMMUNITY GARDEN COORDINATOR
Kia ora, I’m Dom. After 7 years background in ECE, I found a new calling in 2023 as a Community Coordinator. In addition to coordinating Marfell Community Garden, I also coordinate a local family collective known as PROUD Taranaki.
It’s a privilege to be in the role as Marfell Community Coordinator. I’ve lived in Marfells with my sons since 2022, and see the Māra as a vital organ of this community. The more we care for it, it cares for us.
Countless kaitiaki from near and far have breathed life into this once-vacant council paddock since 2020. Thanks to Sustainable Taranaki, coordinators have been allowed the time and resources needed to foster the diverse partnerships, the living kaupapa, and the original vision, which give Marfell Community Garden its unique wairua.
HONE TOIA - MĀTAURANGA LEAD
Ngarunui, Ngaruroa, Ngaru Paewhenua, Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Te taha o toku Pāpā, Ko Ngapuhi Nui Tōnu e maha te honohono ki a Taranaki. I te taha o toku Māmā, ko Taupiri ko Titōhia ōna Mounga, ko Waikato te Awa, he piko he taniwharau, ko Tauranganui te Marae, ko Rangiwāhitu te wharenui. Ngā Iwi ki konei, ko Ngati Ruanui, Ngaruahinerangi, Taranaki Iwi, Te Atiawa.
Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Te Atiawa Nui Tōnu, shaped me by sharing their thoughts and experiences. Our hui at Tui Ora was full of Kaumatua who have stories of our Rangatira stepping up for our people. Tui ora was formed from a wananga of elders on this site creating a health facility. In learning who I am, and being taught te tikanga konei, I now step up also for our people, with the blessings that I have had to help navigate a trusting and deep community relationship, a Tiriti-based Tikanga that has Māori Leadership weaved into it.
Te more i Hāwaiki, te tupu rau matomato.
The tap root of Hāwaiki, the promise of new growth.
CATHERINE STABB - TARANAKI SUSTAINABLE TRAILS CO-MANAGER
Cath will be managing the Taranaki Sustainable Trails for 2025. She has recently moved to New Plymouth from Pōneke, where she studied at Victoria University of Wellington and worked as a policy analyst, engagement specialist and climate change consultant. During her time in Wellington, she had also been teaching yoga and was involved with Kaicycle Community Garden and Everybody Eats as a volunteer.
Cath has recently returned from a good stint of travel and is thrilled to be back in Aotearoa. You will find her enjoying the offerings of Papatūānuku by tramping, running, practising yoga outside or generally frolicking through the bush. She also spends time exploring waves down the coast or immersed in her new garden.
CARMAN AMAI - TE ARA TAIAO KAIRURUKU (EDUCATOR)
Ko Ngāi Tahu (pronounce Kai Tahu), Ko Ngāti Kāhungunu, Ko Tūhoe rātou Kōtiana ōku Iwi. E noho ana au ki Ngāmotu te nuinga o tōku oranga. Ko Carman Amai tāku ingoa
My whakapapa is with Ngāi Tahu in the South Island, Ngāti Kāhungunu from the East Coast, Tūhoe in North Island and Scottish descent. I was born and raised in New Plymouth and have continued to live here for most of my life. My name is Carman Amai
My passion is to show tamariki a healthy and informative way to understand why conservation is so important for the whenua, moana, awa and ngāhere, for all that live on it or in it. Encouraging tamariki to have a voice and to stand with mana and pride to carry with them and to share their knowledge and experiences with generations to come.
For the past 30 years I have been involved with the Netball community in Taranaki as a player of competitive netball, as a coach of women's teams and tamariki or as a white umpire representing Taranaki Rep teams or Saturday Satalite games.
I am a keen gardener inside and outside my pāpākainga, growing fruit and vegetables, propagating indoor plants and pest control by trapping around tōku whare.
Ko au tēnei, Tēnā Tātou Kātoa
FIONA ELLIOTT - ZERO WASTE EVENTS COORDINATOR
Fiona grew up in Taranaki and convinced her family to return here after 10 years in Hong Kong. Working with the Zero Waste Events team has combined her love of events with the desire to make a positive difference in the way we treat our environment.
She recoginises that even small daily decisions can have a huge impact when adopted by many people, and she enjoys the opportunity to educate and encourage others on their journey while working with a great team of volunteers at some of the region's top events.
JERMAINE STEWART - COLLECTIONS & DELIVERY SPECIALIST
Jermaine has worked in machinery operation and farm delivery especially fertilizers and farm feed. He enjoys gardening and growing, and loves to be outdoors, in the sun or in whatever weather comes.
"I want to see everyone playing their part in keeping our Aotearoa clean and green , so I'm excited to get more people behind being sustainable in this job. We are a part of the land, a part of the sea, there's no separation between us and the whenua. So, when we see that, how can we not work to look after the taiao? Because that's looking after each other and ourselves."
CHELSEA CREWE - TE ARA TAIAO KAIRURUKU (EDUCATOR)
He uri au nō Te Rarawa, ki Hokianga
I tipu ake au ki Waipawa, ki Ngāti Kahungunu
E noho ana au ki Ngāmotu ināianei
I grew up in Waipawa and was lucky enough to go to kōhanga and then Te Hauke bilingual kura. The mātauranga I learnt there is what I have come back to as an adult, new to working in Te Taiao.
I look forward to continuing my haerenga in Te Ao Māori and learning with the rangatahi in Taranaki rohe.
Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
SHARI CORBETT-DWYER - COMMUNAL GARDENS MANAGER
I was raised on a dairy farm in Egmont Village, and these days you’ll find me in my creative studio overlooking the beautiful Te Henui Reserve. I've been a sole trader for 24 years, always drawn to giving new life to old things—whether it's through garage sales, second-hand shops, or beachcombing for 'treasure' to upcycle.
I'm passionate about community connection and love inspiring people to set healthy, achievable goals.
Part-time horticulture studies recently led me to create a communal garden. I'm now keen to uncover more under-utilised spaces and breathe some aroha into them—sharing the journey with small groups through enthusiasm and hands-on learning.
In my downtime, you’ll usually find me in nature, dancing, or enjoying time with friends and whānau
MARIE RUTTEN - ENVIRONMENTAL DATA ANALYST & VOLUNTEERS SUPERVISOR
Kia ora,
Originally from South Taranaki, my passion for the environment began in primary school through horticulture studies and tree planting projects. I’ve always been inspired by people working to make a positive difference, and I believe we all have our part to play in caring for our environment.
My interest in data and sustainability has grown through both work and travel, having lived in two countries overseas. I began volunteering with Sustainable Taranaki at zero waste events, where I’ve enjoyed helping others reduce waste and learn about sustainable practices.
Outside of work, I love surfing, cooking, and spending time in the garden.
PETER MCNAMARA - CENTRAL & SOUTH TARANAKI LIAISON
I am born and raised in South Taranaki but whakapapa back to the mighty King country, a little place called Raurimu by the National park and County Clare Eire. I have always had an interest in preserving the wonders of Papatuanuku and though many years of teaching from primary to secondary and alternative second chance education I have been able to impart my knowledge into the minds of many who have gone on to help protect our awesome flora and fauna here in Aotearoa. My family and I now live on a remote lifestyle block in the Eastern districts of Stratford with no services except interrupted power and love it. Our goal is to become as self-sufficient as possible and spread our bounty and skills through crop swaps, repair cafes, community gardens and helping to stop polluting our whenua through landfilling waste.
My favourite whakatauki - Me Mahi Tahi Tātou Mo Te Oranga O Te Katoa.
If you want to get in touch with anyone please contact us here and we’ll make sure to connect you with our beautiful people!