Our team

Chris is our Geospatial Specialist. He is passionate about all things spatial, and enjoys applying his skills to the diverse range of projects at Whirika.   Chris has a Master’s degree in Marine Science and a postgraduate diploma in Applied Science (GIS) from Otago...

Craig brings his skills in flora and fauna survey and monitoring, and biodiversity management from working with the Department of Conservation for 16 years. After gaining a Master’s degree in ecology from the University of Otago, he worked in monitoring of indigenous...

Jacinta is an ecologist on our Biodiversity and Restoration team. Her love of the environment comes from her childhood. Her passion for creating conservation and environmental content comes from studying ecology and botany at the University of Otago, and teaching...

Keiko joined us in 2022, bringing 12 years’ experience in botany and ecology. Having spent most of that time in local government, she has worked with a diverse array of stakeholders across Hawke's Bay, and understands the range of perspectives held about the...

Kimberley joined the Whirika team in 2021 to lead communications and engagement work for Predator Free Dunedin. Her role has since grown to include project management. With a background in science communication and ecology, she is passionate about telling conservation...

Liz joined us in 2019 as a writer and project coordinator, applying her skills and 17 years of experience in conservation communications, community engagement, and ecology to The Halo Project, Predator Free Dunedin and drone seedpod trials. Liz has a Master’s degree...

Mike is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in managing biodiversity. He has over 30 years of experience here and abroad, in ecosystem protection, management and restoration, through pest and weed control, rare species management, mapping, site evaluation and...