Bay of Plenty Conservation Board appointments announced

Conservation Minister Sandra Lee today announced appointments to the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board, effective from the start of this month.

"Conservation Boards are independent bodies that give the Department of Conservation direct imput on local issues, " she said. "They play an important role in matching conservation policies with community needs and provide a way for local people to be part of conservation decisions affecting where they live.

"The government has set aside a record $226.35m to spend on conservation throughout New Zealand during the 2001/02 year," Ms Lee said. "Some of this funding will filter down to Conservancy project work and strategies which will be subject to local Conservation Board oversight."

"I am pleased to announce the new appointments as Tekarehana Wicks and Heather McKechnie and the reappointments of Gaye Payze and Rea Rangiheuea," Ms Lee said.

"I am confident this mix of newly appointed and re-appointed board members and sitting members will provide strong and sound advice to DOC's Bay of Plenty Conservancy.

Bay of Plenty conservator, Chris Jenkins, said he welcomed the appointments. Both Ms Payze and Ms Rangiheuea had contributed significantly to the board during their previous term and he looked forward to the skills and knowledge the new members would bring.

The two new appointments and two re-appointments bring the total number on the board to 11.

Ms Lee thanked the only retiring member, chair Melanie Moorcroft, for the energy and passion she had shown during her time with the board.

New members:
Te Katehana Wicks (Tauranga), has affiliations with Ngaiterangi and is currently a tutor/programme co-ordinator for the BOP Polytechnic. She is involved with a range of environmental, conservation and management groups including the Tuhua Trust Board, Otawhiwhi Marae Committee and the Waihi Beach Bowentown Environmental Working Party.

Heather McKechnie (Rotorua) has affiliations wth Ngati Parua and is a professional gardener.
She has a long-term interest and involvement in conservation and is a member of the Citizens Advice Bureau, for which she provides volunteer training.

Re-appointed members:
Gaye Payze (Whakatane), a policy planner with the Whakatane District Council and member of the local branch of Forest and Bird.

Rea Rangiheuea (Rotorua), has affiliations with Te Arawa, Mataatua, Tainui and Ngapuhi. She is a teacher and a member of various Maori land trusts.

Current members:
James Carlson (Murupara), a trustee of Te Runanga o Ngati Whare Iwi Trust and a spokesperson for Ngati Koru marae;
Te Ariki Morehu (Rotorua), a member of the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve Board and affiliated to Te Arawa;
Peter Rollerston (Tauranga), a researcher, advisor and affiliated to Tauranga Moana representative;
John Hohapata-Oke (Whakatane), affiliated to Ngati Awa, a sales and marketing consultant, also on the board of ERMA;
Herb Madgwick (Rotorua), a retired forestry scientist and Forest and Bird member;
Robyn Skelton (Rotorua), an industry training advisor, former Conservation Corps tutor and a NZ Mountain Safety Council bushcraft co-ordinator;
Bob McGowan (Tauranga), a continuing education officer with Waikato University, member of the Tuterangi marae committee and advisor on rongoa.