Governance Group
The Tiakina Kauri Governance Group provides strategic oversight and leadership.
Alan Cockle
Governance Group Interim Co-Chair
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.
Dr Ben Reddiex
Governance Group Co-Chair
Ben has significant institutional knowledge relating to Kauri, and his role as Director National Programmes at the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai gives him the requisite authority, expertise and perspective to constructively represent the Crown.
Ben holds the leadership of the Plant Pathogens function within DOC in addition to other pest management roles covering wild animals, wildings and wallabies and predator free programmes. He is experienced at working at governance level and with Ministers, has a strong science and operational management background and a PhD in pest management.
Jill Taylor
Governance Group Member
Jill is of Ngāti Tumutumu descent and brings a tikanga Māori perspective, along with an in depth understanding of the area's history. Jill is currently the General Manager of the Ngati Tumutumu Iwi Trust, and is a Director on the Trust's commercial entity - Ngati Tumutumu Holdings Group Ltd.
Jill is also a Trustee on the Hauraki Rail Trail, a member of Council's Manawhenua Forum, as well as a Treaty negotiator for her Iwi on the Hauraki Collective. She holds a strong connection to the Kaimai forest Park, which is considered to be free of the PA pathogen.
Jill has a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting and a passion for systems.
Thomas Hohaia
Governance Group Member
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.
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.
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.
