United by a passion to save our national icon

For millennia, the kiwi could look after itself. Today, it needs our help. Meet some of the people who are committed to saving the kiwi.

Meet the people behind the mahi

Save the Kiwi is Aotearoa’s national charity that’s dedicated to protecting kiwi. Our team is made up of a talented bunch of people who are passionate about ensuring the kiwi survives for generations to come.

Michelle Impey 2023

Michelle Impey

Manahautū
CEO

Ross Halpin

Pou Matua Rapu Pūtea
Marketing & Sponsorship General Manager

Paul O’Shea

Pou Tahua Whakarite Kaupapa
Incubation Team Leader & Account Manager

Tineke Joustra

Tineke Joustra

Pou Matarau
Operations Manager

Paula Williams

Pou Whirinaki Kōhanga Kiwi Coromandel Brown
Kōhanga Coordinator, Coromandel Brown Kiwi

Tamsin Ward-Smith

Pou Whirinaki a Rohe Eastern Brown Kiwi
Regional Coordinator, Eastern Brown Kiwi

Michelle Bird

Pou Whirinaki Kōhanga Kiwi Western Brown
Kōhanga Coordinator, Western Brown Kiwi

Emma Craig

Emma Craig

Pou Whirinaki a Rohe Te Tai Tokerau
Dog Specialist & Regional Coordinator, Northland Brown Kiwi

Morgan Cox

Pou Uruao a Motu
Māori Engagement National Coordinator

Ora Barlow

Pou Uruao a Motu
Māori Engagement National Coordinator

Wiremu Wharepapa

Pou Uruao
Hapū Activator, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui

Erin Reilly 2022

Erin Reilly

Pou Whakapā
Marketing & Communications Manager

Debbie Howard 2023

Debbie Howard

Kai-āwhina ā Tari
Administrator

John Bissell

Craig Balsom

Forestry Specialist

 

 

John Bissell

John Bissell

Kaitohu Konihi a Motu
National Predator Control Advisor

Helen McCormick

Pou Mātanga Whakamaru Kiwi
Husbandry Manager, Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow

Kimberley McGuire

Poutiro Kiwi
Senior Kiwi Keeper, Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow

Kelsi Thompson

Kaitiro Kiwi
Kiwi Keeper, Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow

Claire Travers

Pou Mātanga Kiwi Pūrere Whakawhānau
Kiwi Incubation Consultant

Bev Wilkinson

Pou Mātanga Whakamaru Kiwi
Husbandry Manager, Napier Kiwi Crèche

Miriam Strachan

Kaitiro Kiwi
Kiwi Keeper, Napier Kiwi Crèche

Will Kahu

Pou Arataki Kiwi
Kiwi Trainer

Gaia O’Hare

Pou Tiaki Kiwi
Kiwi Ranger, Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary

Our ambassadors

Dame Lisa Carrington

New Zealand Olympian

Sir John Key

Rt Hon. Sir John Key

Former Prime Minister

Helen Clarke

Rt Hon. Helen Clark

Former Prime Minister

Kane Williamson holding a North Island brown kiwi

Kane Williamson

New Zealand Cricket Captain

Sir Graham Henry

Jenny-May Clarkson

Breakfast Presenter, TVNZ

Miriama Kamo

Miriama Kamo

Sunday Presenter, TVNZ

Sir Graham Henry

Kat Quin

Kuwi the Kiwi Author & Illustrator

Sir Graham Henry

Ruud Kleinpaste

‘Bugman’ & Kiwi Ambassador

Sir Graham Henry

Sir Graham Henry

Former All Blacks Coach

Our board

Richard Leggat

Richard was appointed as chairperson in April 2019. He has extensive governance and leadership experience, particularly with public sector and not-for-profit entities. Richard is a keen cyclist and skier. His headmaster father ingrained an interest and love of New Zealand’s flora and fauna into his own life, and now he combines this interest with his experience to lead The Kiwi Trust and help guide its world-leading conservation strategy.

Lady Jennie Fenwick

Lady Jennie Fenwick has spent almost 38 years alongside Sir Rob Fenwick, her late husband and former Kiwis for kiwi’s chair and trustee, regenerating their 360-hectare property on Waiheke Island. A three-decade-long pest and weed eradication program has successfully seen the return of many species across multiple ecosystems.

Much of Jennie’s spare time, and that her of daughter’s, is spent doing what it takes to keep Rob’s vision for the property, Waiheke and New Zealand alive. A massive part of that vision was to see kiwi thrive in New Zealand, and Save the Kiwi is integral to that happening.

Joe Harawira 2023

Joe Harawira
Ngāi te Rangi – Ngāti Awa – Maniapoto – Tūhourangi

After spending 24 years in the education sector, Joe has been part of the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai since 2000. Roles within DOC have mainly been in treaty settlements, iwi engagement, and professional development of staff in the te ao māori space. Joe has provided cultural support for past Conservation Ministers and Director-Generals, at the translocation of taonga, and wānanga around te ao māori in conservation.

Joe has a long involvement in kiwi kaupapa too. A founding member of the Kāhui Taiao Tūroa Committee, a kaupapa that showcases Māori-driven projects within te taiao, Joe is also the Pou Tikanga on the Sustainable Seas Science Challenge, TIAKI and Māori Tourism, and advises on a number of committees including He Tira Whakamataki.

Ruud Kleinpaste

Ruud Kleinpaste is a familiar face to television viewers in New Zealand and around the world. Known affectionately as ‘The Bugman’, he is a vocal advocate for insects, and has been a regular guest on television and radio shows, as well as writing articles and books.

Ruud’s working life is a mosaic of national and international speaking engagements, media projects, research and consultancy work, mostly on topics of environmental importance. He also frequently travels to little bits of paradise all over the world.

Henry Brandts-Giesen

Henry Brandts-Giesen is the Head of Private Wealth at Dentons Kensington Swan. He specialises in trusts, estates, relationship property, succession planning, family businesses, and residency by investment.

Henry advises a number of charities and non-profit organisations and is honoured to be given the opportunity to contribute to the proud legacy of Save the Kiwi’s founding trustees.

In his spare time, Henry enjoys spending time with his family, rowing, skiing, and ocean swimming.

Kate Graeme

Kate Graeme

Kate Graeme has deep experience with community conservation as well as a past life working in government policy. She is a long-standing board member for the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society (currently serving as Deputy Chair) and provides The Kiwi Trust with a valuable link to this great organisation.

Kate is a lawyer by training and has applied her knowledge and skills in various governance roles within the conservation arena. She’s highly excited to participate in the kiwi journey and provides a great level of understanding and a strong voice for community-based involvement in our work.

Alistair Ryan

Alistair Ryan

Alistair is an experienced accountant and financial executive with extensive stock exchange-listed company experience. In addition to being a Kiwi Trust trustee, Alistair chairs the NZX listed investment companies Kingfish, Barramundi, and Marlin Global, and recently retired from the boards of Metlifecare, Kiwibank, and Lewis Road Creamery. Alistair has also previously been involved with EY and SKYCITY.

Alistair volunteers for Whangamata Harbourcare and Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf. His interests include outdoor activities of just about any sort, travel, and active recreation. He’s married to Julie, and they have three adult daughters and four grandchildren.

Hunga tautoko
Meet our sponsorship whānau

These awesome organisations have already joined the cause to save the kiwi.

Gallagher logo
First Mortgage Trust logo
Wairakei Golf Sanctuary
Jarden
Rheem logo
Kantar
Royal Wolf
The Hatchery
Signature Homes
Contact logo
trademe
Four Winds Foundation
Millennium logo
Dentons
Google
Comvita logo
PKF logo
Kuwi the kiwi