Governance Group | Tiakina Kauri

In the coming months further Governance Group members will be appointed, with the aim of having eight members in total. Further appointments will include Māori representation spanning Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Waikato-Tainui, Pare Hauraki, Tauranga Moana and a community member.

Thomas Hohaia

Governance Group Chair

Thomas was nominated to be a governance member by The Iwi Collaboration, a collaboration established by four Northland iwi (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Te Roroa and Ngāti Wai) through Jobs for Nature funding. Each of these iwi have established teams of workers and are running a kauri ora programme across significant forests in Northland.

Marie Long

Governance Group Chair

Marie has 30 years’ experience in complex regulatory environments and change management projects in the Department of Conservation, councils and Fish and Game. Marie has led significant system re-design for permissions and RMA processes, and built and maintained significant relationships with whānau, hapū and iwi, commercial companies, NGOs, conservation stakeholders and the New Zealand Conservation Authority.

As the Deputy Director General - National Operations and Regulatory Services at the Department of Conservation, Marie Long, leads Strategic Partnerships and Investment, Operations Support, Regulatory Services, Planning and National Programmes, including Predator Free 2050 and Jobs for Nature.

Sandra Heihei

Governance Group Member

Sandra is currently one of the Directors of the Te Whare Pora o Whangaroa, and a Board member of Tuu Whakahii Waipiro. Her experience comes from a wealth of knowledge acquired through Resource Management, Conservation, Governance Iwi Boards, ACC Injury Prevention, Whanau Advocacy, Community Events, and as a personal contractor.

Sandra has the support of the community in Whangaroa, and is a kaitiaki for her papakainga in Taemaro, where the iwi and conservation are the forefront of her values. She has worked closely with kaumatua and held leading roles with her marae, iwi, and community. Sandra leads a volunteer advocacy role promoting the sustainability of the endangered kukupa in the far north.

Alan Cockle

Governance Group Member

Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu

Alan was mentored by his elders in tribal protocol, histories and te reo Māori from an early age. He has worked in both public and private sectors providing leadership guidance. He is also an experienced facilitator and Chair. His experience has been acquired through professional associations from Whānau, Marae, Hapū and Iwi to Land, Property Administration and Governance.

Alan is a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand. His legislative knowledge ranges from Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, it’s preceding Acts and subsequent amendments and Māori Land Court procedures to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, the Housing Restructuring Amendment Act 2000 and the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010.

Rachel Kelleher

Governance Group Member

Rachel Kelleher is the General Manager of Environmental Services at Auckland Council. As General Manager, Rachel is responsible for leading a department of specialists delivering climate action, biosecurity and biodiversity management and youth education and engagement in environmental outcomes across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Following completion of a Master of Science degree at Waikato University, Rachel has held a number of specialist and leadership roles in both central and local government organisations including the Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council. Rachel is strongly committed to public service and achieving environmental outcomes for the benefit of future generations.

Ken Hughey

Governance Group Member

Ken Hughey is Professor of Environmental Management at Lincoln University and is seconded to Te Papa Atawhai, the Department of Conservation (DOC) as Chief Science Advisor, a position he’s held since 2014. In this role, Ken takes a broad overview of science issues relating to DOC’s responsibilities and advises the Director-General about preferred ways forward.

Ken has broad ranging interests including science strategy; particular areas of interest include water resources, environmental perceptions, and sustainable tourism (including in relation to climate change). He has been advising DOC’s Senior Leadership Team on science strategy improvements and has participated in MPI-facilitated work about strategic science.