Operations team
Paul Whitfield - Operations Manager
Paul is originally from England but spent some of his teenage years in Auckland, briefly attending what is now Western Springs College. After careers in chemical engineering, writing travel guidebooks and outdoor education, Paul got swept up in the Predator Free movement. Experience trapping in his local park, Eric Armishaw Reserve, and setting up Pest Free Pt Chevalier led to joining with other local biodiversity-focused groups to form Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao.
Phil Simpson - Ecological Restoration Advisor
Phil hails from Te Whanganui ā Tara (Wellington). He studied botany and zoology at Victoria University and completed post-grad studies in Environmental Science at AUT, where he undertook a final project on the ecology of Auckland’s endangered lava ‘rock forest’. He is passionate about protecting and restoring patches of native habitat in our urban environment and works closely with the community conservation groups in our network to achieve this. As part of his role at Urban Ark he also runs the Maungawhau Ecological Halo project.
Shannon Ritter - Community Engagement Facilitator
Shannon has been in Aotearoa since 2019 where she received her Masters in Wildlife Management from the University of Otago and has been working hands-on in conservation ever since. She has been a part of pest eradication projects from Wellington to Waiheke and is constantly inspired by the huge mahi done by volunteers all around the country. Her passion for kororā means you’ll often find her poking around the coastline trying to sniff out and protect these feisty penguins.
Damien Hannah - Flood Resilience Coordinator
Damien, originally from Rotorua, is a long-time resident of Point Chevalier. After working in the health sector for many years he now focuses on his passion for ecological restoration of the lower Waitītiko / Meola Creek. He enjoys working with local organisations and residents to enhance the health of the awa. His Urban Ark work includes promoting flood resilience in at-risk communities, while also highlighting how improving the native biodiversity of our streams and catchments can mitigate the impacts of climate change. He is a keen tramper.
Damithri Jayasekara - Flood Resilience Facilitator
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Trust Board
Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao is a Charitable Trust which was formed in early 2020. We currently have 4 trustees with a range of backgrounds. If you are interested in joining us as a trustee, see below.
Stefan Rüegg - Chair
Stefan has always been fascinated by the success of projects around New Zealand in bringing back native species. Then there was a rat in his garage and this is how it all started.
Martino Di Marco - Treasurer
Martino joined Urban Ark in November 2021 and recently took up the role of treasurer. In his day job Martino is in a senior finance role in the banking sector, so we’re confident that he’s more than qualified to help keep us acting with financial prudence at all times! Outside of work Martino keeps busy with 3 young kids and enjoys running, mountain biking and generally spending time in the great outdoors. Martino wants to see native flora and fauna thrive in Auckland and across Aotearoa and is involved in the Pest Free Balmoral group.
Siân Buley - Trustee
Siân Buley has been the Pest Management Coordinator at Auckland Zoo since 2015. If you go to the Zoo and see a rat, you must let her know! She is passionate about the Zoo’s mission to bring people together to build a future for wildlife and sees the control of invasive species and community action as vital in trying to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity. Siân also services bait and trap lines as a volunteer for a couple of projects in the Waitākere Ranges, where she lives.
Andrew Barker - Trustee
Andrew joined Urban Ark as a trustee in May 2022. He is a proud resident of Westmere and works in the property development sector. In his spare time Andrew gets away to Kawau Island whenever he can with his partner and dog, mostly likely to be seen weeding, digging holes and planting something. Andrew is keen to see the natural character of the Inner-West restored and an increase in the variety of native birdlife.
Become a Trustee
We are looking for one or more new trustees. If you’d like to be at the heart of what we do and help shape the direction of the organisation, or know someone who would, here is a prime opportunity. It is a voluntary position requiring a commitment of at least 5 hours per month. The board typically meets monthly.
The Trust Board welcomes all interested applicants, but is particularly open to:
- applicants with links to local iwi
- other applicants who would increase our cultural diversity
- younger applicants who would widen our age diversity
If you are interested, please contact Paul by [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] or on 021 150 8284.