Friday 15 December, 2023
The Integrated Catchments team at Council has grown recently with nine new land management roles. Four of these roles have been funded by the Ministry for the Environment’s Essential Freshwater Fund and the other five roles are joint-funded by MPI and Council in association with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). The main focus of the new team will be the Freshwater Farm Plan roll out and supporting our community with that process.
Three of the roles have been filled by existing staff members Sandy Gorringe (Land Management Team Leader), Emily Graham (Catchment Advisor)and Enrique Perez Garcin (Senior Catchment Advisor). Enrique has been in the Land Management Team since 2020 and is a qualified Agronomist with experience in land use capability, GIS, nutrient management and farm planning. Enrique will be focussing on the Waipaoa, Motu and Hangaroa catchments.
Emily is originally from Canada but has called Tairawhiti home for 3 years, most recently working at GDC in the Haumanu tū ora- Freshwater Improvement Fund team. In her new role she will be creating catchment maps and erosion control plans for Freshwater Farm Plans.
Sandy has an Environmental Science and Marine Studies background and has been working in the Environmental space at GDC for 7 years. Sandy is born and raised in Tairawhiti, currently living with her young family at Waerenga-o-kuri, close to where she grew up.
The other (brand new) faces of the Land Management team are;
Nedine McKinnon (Iwi/hapu Advisor) Ko Nadine McKinnon tōku ingoa. Nō Ngāti Porou awau. Nō Te Aowera, Te Aitanga a Mate me Te Whānau a Tūwhakairiora.
Nedine is the Hapū Iwi Catchment advisor for GDC. She will be working alongside the team to provide support across all catchments within the Tairāwhiti. Her focus will be building and maintaining effective relationships with mana whenua, iwi, hapū and Māori landowner/ stakeholders and to ensure that Te Ao Māori values are supported and promoted within the team. Nedine is looking forward to meeting and working with our extended Māori whānau throughout the region.
Georgie Golling (Regional Catchment Facilitator) Georgie is originally from Western Australia but has been in New Zealand since 2019. Georgie’s background includes working in Biosecurity, Biodiversity and Community Engagement, and comes to us from Otago Regional Council. Georgie has moved to Gisborne with her partner who is originally from Tiniroto. Georgie will be working across all focus catchments in Tairawhiti, assisting with the provision of catchment direction, co-ordination and oversight.
Craig Sproule (Senior Catchment Advisor) Craig’s background includes working as a Geologist both overseas and on the West Coat of the South Island, Environmental Health in Wairoa and a spell working in Geotechnical Engineering here in Gisborne. Craig will be focussing on the Wharekahika – Waikura catchment, Waiapu, and overlap of the Motu catchment.
Nicky Haisman (Senior Catchment Advisor) Nicky grew up in Motu, but has spent the last few years in South Marlborough, working as a Senior Community Ranger for DoC. Nicky has a background in Biologcal Sciences and is looking forward to working with landowners in the context of Freshwater Farm Plans and erosion issues. Nicky will be focussing on the Waimata, Waiomoko, Pakarae and Uawa catchments.
George Kool (Catchment Advisor) George moved to Gisborne from Auckland in 2022 in search of a better lifestyle and some good surf. He comes from a construction/architecture background and is looking forward to getting out and about and seeing more of the region. George is providing cross-catchment support to the wider team.
Karepa Maynard (Catchment Advisor) Karepa was born and raised in Gisborne where his whakapapa is to nga iwi o Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri and Ngati Porou. Karepa recently completed a conjoint BSc/BA majoring in Geography, Environmental Science and History at the University of Auckland and recently returned to Gisborne after completing his degree.
The team have been undergoing some training over the last 2 months to help them undertake their roles, and you may start to see them out and about now in the community.
If you would like to get in touch with the Land Management team for any Freshwater Farm Planning, land use capability mapping or erosion issues please call the GDC mainline 06 8672049 and ask to be put through to one of the team.
Main Photo- (Left to right) Nedine McKinnon, Sandy Gorringe, Georgie Golling, Craig Sproule, Nicky Haisman and George Kool.
Below- Karepa Maynard and Emily Graham
