Meet the Trustes | About Us

The Trustees come from a variety of scientific, forestry, nursery, legal and farming backgrounds. All are top people in their fields.

Ian Barton JP, Chairman (MPhil Waikato)

A retired forestry consultant with a lifelong interest in kauri. He has authored several papers on the species and is currently involved in trials to determine its detailed site requirements. Email Ian

 

 

Peter Berg, Deputy Chairman (ONZM)

President of the NZ Forest Owners Association, NZ Chair of the Commonwealth Forestry Association and a member of the Forest Industries Training, Scion and Auckland Conservation Boards.. Peter is involved in many aspects of NZ forestry and has jointly authored two books on aspects of New Zealand's forest history. Email Peter

 

Murray McAlonan, Treasurer (MSc Hons)

Retired. Previously Regional Manager, Kinleith Forest, with NZ Forest Products and Carter Holt Harvey and latterly Assistant Director General, Forest Management Group, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Past President NZ Forest Owners Association and previous Board member of FITEC. Email Murray

Roger MacGibbon (BSc Hons Canterbury)

Roger is a restoration ecologist operating his own company Natural Logic Ltd. undertaking work focused on restoring native trees and shrubs to modified landscapes. He is also Managing Director of Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing Ltd., a business that builds specialised pest-proof fences for conservation management. Email Roger

 

David Bergin (PhD Waikato)

A senior scientist at Ensis (formerly Forest Research) his main interests are in establishing and evaluating growth, silviculture and productivity of planted and young naturally regenerating stands. He also works on the restoration of coastal dunes and riparian areas using indigenous grasses, shrubs and trees and the sustainable management of culturally significant plants. Email David

 

Warwick Silvester (PhD)

Professor of Biological Sciences at University of Waikato. He has interests in plant nutrition and productivity and has published papers on nitrogen fixation, nitrogen cycling and tree physiology. He is currently Chair of Pukemokemoke Forest Trust and trustee and vice-chair of the Balance Farm Environment Awards Trust and is the inaugural KuDos Lifetime Achievement Awardee in recognition of outstanding achievements in environmental research. Email Warwick

Mark Dean, Secretary (B Ed, Dip Tch, NCH)

Executive director of Naturally Native New Zealand Plants, which he founded over 25 years ago and director and restoration consultant for Natural Environments Ltd. Mark is a past president and a life member of the Nursery and Garden Industry Association and was the founding chair of the Horticultural Industry Training Organisation. Email Mark

 

Robert McGowan JP (M.Soc.Sc. Waikato)

Previously Continuing Education Officer at Waikato University and chairman of the BOP Conservation Board, he now works for Nga Whenua Rahui. Has been involved in teaching and researching traditional uses of NZ native plants, particularly for medicine (rongoa Maori); and IP issues relating to Wai 262. Email Rob

 

Ian Campbell

A sheep and beef farmer near Masterton and an early participant in the National Flock Recording Scheme which led to an interest in using computers on farms. His second career was as a computer software developer and publisher supplying programs to many New Zealand farmers to help manage their finances and other needs. An inheritance of native bush and a recognition of the value of trees on farms has seen him become Chairman of the Montfort Trimble Foundation whose objectives include the production and care of timber in its widest sense. His philosophy of life is encapsulated in the ancient Greek saying “A society grows great when its old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit”. Email Ian

Andrew Caddie (B.For.Sc., LLB)

Latterly an experienced commercial lawyer but also a qualified forester, Andrew brings a number of strengths to the Trust. As a forester, Andrew assisted in the development of the initial tree-growth models, new pre-harvest inventory and forestry project feasibility analysis. After training as a commercial lawyer, he specialised in the commercialisation of natural resources and forestry related matters, including the preparation of educational/"how-to" guides for government departments such as the "Forestry for Maori Guide". Andrew has also managed various projects relating to the Emissions Trading Scheme and climate change matters generally. Email Andrew

Andrew McEwen (Ph.D Cantab)

A registered forestry consultant based in Wellington. In over 40 years as a forester, he has worked in general forestry, forest research and forest planning and policy. He established his own consultancy firm in 1999. He is currently Vice President of the NZ Institute of Forestry. Email Andrew

Hon. Rob Storey

Waikato farmer and past President Federated Farmers of New Zealand. Previously MP for Waikato and held portfolios of Minister for the Environment and Minister of Lands. Member Lake Waikare Management Group and Lower Waikato Catchment Committee. Email Rob

 

Gordon Stephenson, Patron (CNZM)

A Waikato farmer and tree planter since 1970's. Initiated the QE 2 Trust in 1977 and Dep-chair for 10 years. Member of Environmental Council for 12 years and Dep-chair. Lincoln Council. National Exec. of Forest and Bird. Started Farm Environment Awards. Co-founded National Wetland Trust. Chaired Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust. Founded the Advisory Council for Regional Environment (ACRE). Chaired Waikato Conservation Board. Dep-chair. Maungatautari Trust. Author of book on Wetlands. Loder Cup recipient with wife, 1992 Email Gordon

Helmut Janssen M.Sc. (Forest Ecology); B.Sc. (Hons); Cert. G.I.S; Dipl. Farm-Forestry (Hons)

Helmut is an environmental scientist specializing in resource information and integrated management of useful natural resources via ecological reforestation of native forests. He founded and co-directs Adaptive Resource Management Ltd and the charity Reciprocate Biocapacity Ltd. Email Helmet