Ko Wai Mātou | Our People
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation, is operated by a group of part-time staff, and board members and advisors who are all volunteers, driven by the urgent need to create much needed change to restore habitats and biodiversity here in Aotearoa.
Our trustees bring a depth of wisdom, leadership and connections at a governance level. We are also guided by an extensive advisory group who range from community experts, scientists and those with knowledge of mātauranga Māori. These experts share their knowledge and advice, keeping us ahead of the latest research, projects and calls to action for endangered species.
Our mahi is also supported by supporters, partners and funders who enable the work we do with much needed resourcing. Dedicated to protecting our endangered species and habitats, our combined expertise ensures resources are allocated responsibly to where they are needed most to best achieve our goals.
Meet Our Team
Natalie is passionate about increasing awareness of important issues and causes, and the actions people can take to create real change.
With over twenty years experience in developing and executing marketing and communications plans within the for-purpose sector, she puts her expertise to use where it is needed most.
With a love for our native wildlife here in Aotearoa, Natalie feels very privileged to work for the Endangered Species Foundation and to deliver mahi to help our most vulnerable habitats and species.
Natalie has a first class honours business degree majoring in Marketing, and a Graduate Diploma in Design from the University of Otago. She believes strongly that upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi is crucial to looking after the land and all beings that depend on it.
General Manager
Natalie Jessup
Natalie is passionate about using communications to increase awareness of important issues and causes, and the actions people can take to create real change.
Christie enjoys creating simplicity from chaos. She helps organise, document and generally lighten the administration load to allow people to focus on the important matters.
As a virtual assistant Christie feels privileged to be able to work for organisations such as the Endangered Species Foundation as it gives a feeling of helping those who are making a difference, and allows opportunities to further grow and learn.
Working rurally in Aotearoa provides a wonderful setting to enjoy the birdlife and peace that nature provides, while balancing work and family.
Administrator
Christie Goodwin
Christie enjoys creating simplicity from chaos. She helps organise, document and generally lighten the administration load to allow people to focus on the important matters.
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Matt has a Bachelor of Commerce from Auckland University, and is a full member CA with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Matt is keen on all things sport, and has recently developed an interest in the garden.
His consultancy, Top Edge Advisory, was born from a passion to help non-profit and public benefit organisations achieve their goals, no matter the stage of their journey.
Matt has years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, and enjoys helping for-purpose organisations further their causes.
Financial Services
Matt Wall
Mathew Wall specialises in not for profit accounting and adds value to the Endangered Species Foundation by provided us with a our financial and advisory service.
Meet Our Board
After an illustrious rugby career in New Zealand, England, and Australia, Tawera faced adversity in 2003 when his right leg was amputated due to a motorbike accident. Undeterred, he became an ambassador for the Achilles Foundation, enabling people with disabilities to participate in mainstream events.
Tawera has extended his impact to environmental initiatives, participating in a multi-agency partnership aimed at controlling the pest fish koi carp. Tawera's involvement in this project reflects a commitment to both environmental stewardship and creating employment opportunities for local communities, particularly the Waikato-Tainui iwi.
Co-Chair
Tawera Nikau
Tawera Nikau, a former rugby league champion, has transitioned his success on the field into a meaningful engagement with the community and the environment.
Emma is a community and stakeholder engagement specialist with a particular focus on community led environmental projects. She has worked in the international development sector, with stints in both Laos and Peru where she worked for local NGOs focused on enabling community participation in environmental projects.
Emma is currently the Planting Partnerships Manager for Trees that Count where she works with landowners, iwi and community groups around Aotearoa enabling native forest restoration projects. She previously worked as Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Predator Free Wellington. Emma has a passion for te reo Māori and is an advocate and active contributor for how organisations can better uphold Te Tiriti at all levels. Emma is originally from Hawke’s Bay and currently lives in Wellington.
Co-Chair
Emma Giesen
Emma is a community and stakeholder engagement specialist with a particular focus on community led environmental projects.
She has worked in international development, for local NGOs focused on enabling community participation in environmental projects.
Mike Thorsen is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in managing biodiversity, botany and ecology with over 20 years’ experience in ecology, conservation biology and the management of invasive species worldwide. Mike enjoys assisting a diversity of groups to realise their biodiversity ambitions using his wide-ranging experience and enjoys the challenges of working in the interface between the conservation and use of natural resources with the aim of producing good outcomes that are both environmentally sound and pragmatic. A developing interest is in using human-generated landforms as surrogates for native flora and fauna communities.Mike also runs a small nursery specialising in growing endangered plants (despite the challenges of a young daughter who loves pulling out labels and watering everything in sight) and is a keen photographer (photos here). Mike holds a PhD from the University of Otago (2010).
Trustee
Mike Thorsen
Mike Thorsen is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in managing biodiversity, botany and ecology with over 20 years’ experience in ecology, conservation biology and the management of invasive species worldwide.
Rangitahi is Te Whānau a Apanui and is currently Communications and Engagement Manager at Raukūmara Pae Maunga.
She has extensive experience in community engagement, Māori-led restoration projects, and massive connections across Whakatane and the East Cape.
Trustee
Rangitahi Wharepapa
Rangitahi is Te Whānau a Apanui and is currently Communications and Engagement Manager at Raukūmara Pae Maunga.
Treasurer
Stephen Goodger
Stephen’s rural upbringing developed a passion for pest control and protecting native fauna and flora which has led him to do whatever is possible to improve the urban environment he currently lives in.
Stephen’s rural upbringing developed a passion for pest control and protecting native fauna and flora, which has led him to do whatever is possible to improve the urban environment he currently lives in. He brings a background in technology, agriculture, advocacy, and animal health and wellbeing as well as governance, commercial and corporate experience. Stephen has a Bachelor of Commerce in from Canterbury University.
Stephen's passion is the protection and improvement of the oceans and waterways, which is driven by seeing the daily decline of the Waitemata harbour and his time on dairy farms while at Fonterra. He has the view that protection and improvement of the environment and a farmer or fisherman’s financial success can go together and education is the key to achieving this.
Kate Thomson holds the position of ESF Treasurer, having been appointed to the ESF Board in May 2020. Kate is also currently a non-executive Director on the ESR Board, a Crown Research Institute. Currently she is the General Manager at Te Aka Matua o te Ture – the New Zealand Law Commission.
A proud kiwi, most recently Kate was based in Australia working in the engineering and research sectors as a Senior Executive. She is also an independent member of the Indigo Shire Council Audit and Risk Committee.
Kate is a Chartered Accountant and an experienced Chief Financial Officer and has held a number of senior roles in the commercial sector during her career.
Kate holds a post-graduate certificate in Science and Technology and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Trustee
Kate Thomson
Kate is a non-executive Director on the ESR Board, a Crown Research Institute. Currently she is the General Manager at Te Aka Matua o te Ture – the New Zealand Law Commission.
Neil has specialised in family and charitable trusts for 59 years. He is a co-founder of the Endangered Species Foundation with his son Michael.
He was instrumental in establishing, in 1991, the Wellington Community Foundation (now the Nikau Foundation) and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust (now Zealandia). He chaired the New Zealand Association of Philanthropic Trusts (now Philanthropy New Zealand – where he is an Honorary Member), as well as the Stout Trust. Neil is also a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
Neil has a passion for saving the Maui dolphin and he, with the assistance of Marine Scientists and WWF, prepared the Endangered Species Foundation’s initial strategy, which included the fishers as part of the solution.
Vice Patron
Neil Thorsen
Neil has specialised in family and charitable trusts for 59 years. He is a co-founder of the Endangered Species Foundation with his son Michael.
Meet Our Advisors
Dr Mike Thorsen
Chief Science Advisor
Mike is a botanist and ecologist, and has over 20 years worldwide experience in conservation biology and the management of invasive species.
Stu Muir
Awa & wetland restoration
Stu Muir has a well-respected background in ecological restoration, focused towards wetland and coastal conservation.
Prof. Phil Seddon
Conservation
Phil’s expertise includes conservation translocations; seabird ecology; pest species management and protected area management.
Dr James Russell
Pest animals
James is a Professor in the University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences and Department of Statistics.
John Innes
Birds
John is a scientist with Landcare Research. He has worked with pest mammals and threatened fauna mainly in native forests.
Colin O'Donnell
Birds
Colin O’Donnell is Principal Science Advisor with the Department of Conservation’s Terrestrial Ecosystems and Species Unit in Christchurch.
Graeme Atkins
Mātauranga and Māori-led restoration mahi
With a passion for preserving the natural heritage of Aotearoa, Graeme working tirelessly to rejuvenate precious ecosystems.
Krista van der Linde
Marine Mammals
Research Associate of the University of Canterbury, co-founder of LeopardSeals.org and founder of Kaikōura Marine Mammal Foundation
Abi Foy
Water Health
Abi finds water eternally fascinating. She works at AquaWatch and is passionate about using technology to improve water health.
Alice Cameron
Environment & communities
Alice is a kaupapa-driven communications, advocacy, engagement and partnerships specialist.
Greg Jenks
Coastal Restoration
Greg is well known for his leading-edge science-based dune restoration work. His fresh pioneering efforts have established innovative practical techniques proven to accomplish affordable restoration of ecologically superior natural dune buffer functions along many kilometres of severely degraded North and South island coasts.
Karli Thomas
Oceans
Karli Thomas coordinates oceans work in Aotearoa and the Pacific for a number of non-government organisations.
Adam Simperingham
Solicitor/Honorary Solicitor
Adam is a pragmatic can-do trial and appeal lawyer at Woodward Chrisp. He has a Bachelor of Arts in French and Politics, an Honours degree in law, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies, and a Master of Commercial Law with Honours.
Dylan van Winkel
Reptiles & amphibians
Dylan is an ecologist and herpetologist with Bioresearches (Babbage Consultants) in Auckland.
John Barkla
Plants & habitats
John was a botanist with the Department of Conservation and is now a Partnerships Ranger for DOC.
James Tweed
Invertebrates
James is an ecologist with a focus on New Zealand’s indigenous and introduced fauna, he has a particular fascination with insects.