Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board appointments announced

Conservation Minister Sandra Lee today announced appointments to the Canterbury Aoraki 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 confident this mix of appointed and re-appointed board members and sitting members will provide strong and sound advice to DOC's Canterbury Conservancy.

“I am pleased to announce that Valerie Campbell, Fred Murray and Mandy Waaka-Home are the new appointments, and that Alan Jolliffe and David O’Connell have been reappointed to the Board," she said.

Valerie Campbell from Christchurch is an Environment Canterbury Councillor, a former chair of the North Canterbury Forest and Bird Protection Society and Hillsborough Residents’ Association member, with a M.A. in Visual Arts and a B.A. Hon. in pre History and History. She has professional experience of coastal processes, historic site preservation and archaeology and wide experience of planning processes under the Resource Management Act.

Fred Murray from Leithfield Beach, North Canterbury, is a founding member and current secretary of Leithfield/Ashworths Coastcare group, advocating for the protection of dune systems and bird habitats, and has strong analytical skills. He has an interest in the backcountry and a good knowledge of the Hurunui catchment, upper Rakaia and Wilberforce/Harper areas.

Mandy Waaka-Home from Oamaru,has been nominated by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. She has extensive experience working with the Blue Penguin colony in Oamaru and as a conservation volunteer with Yellow Eyed Penguins. In addition, she has broader coastal and historic interests.

Re-appointed members:

Alan Jolliffe of Christchurch is a business lecturer at the Christchurch Polytechnic, who has been on the board’s planning committee and taken a lead role in a number of major focus areas for the board.

David O’Connell has been re-appointed on the nomination of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. David has an extensive knowledge of the interests of tangata whenua in conservation issues within the Canterbury region.

Current members:

Wiki Baker. of Temuka has a broad knowledge of tikanga Maori and a special affinity with Aoraki
Joe Sour, has a particular interest in coastal issues and knowledge of the Banks Peninsular.
Kay Booth, of Christchurch, a Parks, Recreation and Tourism lecturer at Lincoln University with a good knowledge of protected areas and concessions.
Roger Fagg, of Timaru, a decorator with a long time interest and involvement in conservation, geology, botany, public participation and education.
Barbara Spurr, a secondary school science adviser with teaching, conservation, scientific and community interests and affiliations.
Ainslie Talbot, a freelance journalist, producer and director, and keen recreationist with a strong interest in backcountry issues and habitat and species.
Tom Todhunter, a farmer from Methven, with an interest and involvement in tourism and conservation and wide knowledge in resource management issues.

Ms Lee thanked the retiring chair, James Guild, for his significant contribution to conservation and the Board, and retiring board members Terry Donaldson and Wiki Martin for their efforts.