Glernfern Sanctuary Trustees
Rupert Wilson, Chair
Rupert has had a long involvement with Hillary Outdoors outdoor education. Hillary Outdoors is based at Orama in Karaka Bay, close to Glenfern. Rupert was also one of the founding Trustees of the Motu Kaikoura Trust which is managing the restoration and public accessibility of Kaikoura Island close to Glenfern. Rupert was also one of the founding Trustees of the Durville Island Stoat Eradication Trust. Rupert is a lawyer and was a partner at Chapman Tripp for 27 years. He is also a keen sailor and has many land based outdoor interests.
Chris Morton
Chris has 42 years experience in a diverse range of activities both in property and construction in NZ and overseas. From 1990 to 2016 he has held a number of roles from Trustee to Chairman of Multiserve Education Trust later renamed Cognition Education, one of New Zealand’s largest education charitable entities. He enjoys the outdoors and is a keen sailor, cyclist and mountaineer and is also an accomplished photographer and writer.
Susan Warren
Susan has a long and impressive track record in destination branding, marketing and sustainable tourism, here and internationally. She is inspired with the vision of Glenfern and to be able to direct her skills to support Glenfern as a beacon for leading edge practices in pest eradication programmes and protecting and nurturing biodiversity. She is passionate about encouraging people to support the important mahi going on at Glenfern and to contribute however they can, or simply to visit and stay at the accommodations there and enjoy yet another dimension of beautiful Aotea The Barrier.
Emma Cronin
Emma has been involved with Glenfern Sanctuary since 2007, as a volunteer, contractor and manager for eight years, prior to relocating back to the mainland where she currently juggles a number of part time roles; as project manager for Aongatete Forest Project and for their own environmental consulting business 'Ethos Environmental'. In addition to being a wife and mum, she attempts to fit in some mountain biking, rarely. In her current role as trust chair, she is embracing the opportunity to progress the Sanctuary under its new management regime.
Christine Clemow
Christine is a chartered accountant, with a background in management and financial accounting, including financial modelling, reporting, and cash flow analysis. Christine brings a high level of professionalism, integrity and objectivity, and enjoys working across all areas of an organisation. She and her husband are fortunate to have been volunteering at Glenfern for over 25 yrs, since Tony and Mal purchased the property in 1991, and have a strong connection to the property and Bouzaid family.
Gemma Parkin
Gemma Parkin brings her unique contribution to the mahi of Glenfern Sanctuary Trust and the work of the Sanctuary. Gemma was Centre Manager for Hillary Outdoors based at Orama in Karaka Bay, close to Glenfern for 6 years, while no longer directly involved with the Education Centre, Gemma passionately supports educational opportunities that Glenfern Sanctuary provides for all visitors, particularly our rangatahi. She also brings much valued local representation living as she does with her husband Tony in Okiwi. Meanwhile in addition to her voluntary work she has taken a position with Land Search and Rescue, a position which enables her to support the volunteer work of others.
Rodney Taiaha Ngawaka
Tangatakaitiaki o Aotea and all of the rohe o Ngatiwai is Rodney’s passion and he brings this passion to the mahi of Glenfern Trust and in particular in his words: ‘Bringing the wairua back to the taonga of Glenfern Sanctuary, the gateway to the predator fenced 240 hectare Kotuku Peninsula. Rodney is a leader for his iwi and hapu and on behalf of Ngati Rehua Ngati Wai ki Aotea brings his mana, experience and intense love of conservation, and protection of native flora and fauna to all of the Glenfern projects. Of many projects Rodney has worked in and contributes to, before returning to live in 2014 on Aotea he worked for the Ngatiawai Iwi Education unit as a storyteller, a mentor of young and old, and a cultural advisor and environmental te Ao Maori (Maori world view) educator in schools. Haere mai ki tenei mahi Rodney.