About us
The Shorebirds Trust is committed to leading the recovery of threatened coastal biodiversity in the Mangawhai-Pākiri area.
We fund and deliver vital conservation work, support cutting edge research, and empower our communities to protect and restore local ecosystems.
Through strong partnerships and science-based decision-making, we are working to secure the future of Critically Endangered species like Tara iti (New Zealand Fairy Tern), Matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) and other endangered species.
Our Trustees
The Shorebirds Trust is a registered charitable trust. The board consists of three trustees drawn from a broad range of experience in land use planning, environmental policy, community and Iwi partnership development, management and leadership.
Peter Wilson
Peter brings over 50 years of commercial experience in senior management and directorships. In 2009 Peter established his own consultancy company Pinehurst Associates Limited which provided commercial and governance advice to clients including Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust and Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua.
Peter has been instrumental in the transformation of 616 hectares of predator-infested pine forest at Te Arai into managed land use that supports the re-establishment of native flora and fauna including, and recovery of the critically endangered NZ Fairy Tern.
Peter is also actively involved in the bioplastics sector as part of an innovative startup, bringing his extensive commercial experience to sustainable technology solutions that align with his environmental values.
As Trustee of the Shorebirds Trust, Peter combines his business acumen, governance expertise, and genuine passion for conservation to drive meaningful protection efforts for New Zealand's vulnerable shorebird populations.
Peter Hall
Peter is a consultant planner with over 25 years experience. After 15 years as a partner at Boffa Miskell (NZ consultancy of planners, ecologists and designers), Peter established his own planning consultancy in 2019. He is a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and New Zealand Resource Management Law Association.
Peter has been directly involved in planning and resource management for the Te Ārai area for some 10 years, assisting the commercial entities of both Te Uri o Hau and Ngāti Manuhiri, and their respective development partners, in developing and consenting sustainable land use change for their large land holdings.
Peter is passionate about protecting New Zealand’s native biodiversity and is excited by the unique opportunity that the Shorebirds Trust has, to make a very meaningful contribution to this goal.
Linda Guzik
Linda has more than 45 years of governance and leadership experience spanning both New Zealand’s nonprofit sector and the U.S. government at local, regional, and national levels. With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, she has held senior roles in workforce development, conservation services, and national leadership teams.
Since helping establish the Shorebirds Trust in 2014, Linda has guided its growth as Board Chair, coordinating efforts that now protect nearly 20,000 acres, remove invasive predators, and restore native biodiversity. She work’s closely with Trustees, conservation experts, iwi, and partner organizations to drive initiatives such as the Tara Iti Recovery efforts, Te Arai Ecological Sanctuary and Conservation Research Hub.
Passionate about conservation and deeply connected to Te Arai, Linda values the opportunity to help protect this high ecological area she finds truly special.
Subject Matter Experts
Dr Leigh Bull
Ecologist, Director BlueGreen Ecology
Leigh has practised ecology since finishing her PhD in 2003. While she has a background in avifauna (specialising in seabirds), her role as co-author of the Department of Conservation’s New Zealand threat classification list (2007) is testimony to her broad knowledge of New Zealand’s biota. Leigh has worked with a range of groups, including private industry and government departments, to contribute to a number of documents (e.g. threatened species recovery plans) guiding the management of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Leigh has been involved in ecosystem restoration projects requiring the management of native habitat and species. Experienced in managing large complex projects, Leigh has co-ordinated field scientists and managed large data sets. She produces technical documents and/or publications synthesising the information in a clear and concise manner. She has led a number of large projects assessing methods for mitigating the impact of human activities on biota. She is also an experienced expert witness for Council, Environment Court and Board of Inquiry hearings. Leigh is a Certified Environmental Practitioner with the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (Ecology Specialist) and certified as an Independent Hearings Commissioner.
Dr Lee Shapiro
Biosecurity Consultant, Ecologist, Associate Principal Boffa Miskell
Lee Shapiro is an ecologist with 20 years’ experience working on a diverse range of applied and research based ecological and biosecurity focused projects including vertebrate pest management, avian surveys and ecological restoration projects. Since joining Boffa Miskell in 2016, Lee has been involved in a range of projects working alongside collaborators within community groups, Regional Councils, the Department of Conservation, Central government and Predator Free 2050 Ltd. He is currently leading several research programs looking at low residue and species-specific toxins as well as advanced monitoring tools for invasive mammalian pests. Prior to joining Boffa Miskell, Lee was the co-leader of an MBIE funded research program atLincoln University focused on the development of smarter tools for invasive mammalian pest species, critical for the protection and enhancement of native biodiversity.
Operational Experts & Delivery Partners
From left Alex Flavell-Johnson and Rob Channing
Alex Flavell-Johnson
Conservation Manager
An ecologist with experience in predator control, revegetation, species monitoring and science communication, Alex is hugely passionate about restoring the biodiversity and ecosystems of Aotearoa New Zealand.
In his dule role as conservation manager for Tara iti and the Shorebirds Trust, he has been instrumental in establishing the Te Arai North property as an Ecological Sanctuary and ‘living-laboratory’.
Alex manages the Shorebirds Trust community predator control project, supporting local landowners and collaborating with partners to establish 20,000ha landscape-scale predator control, stretching from Mangawhai to Pākiri.
Rob Channing
Te Arai Residents Association Ranger / Manager
He has worked for over 20 years in open space management including being a Park Ranger at Tawharanui Regional Park, a Recreation Project leader for Auckland Council Regional Parks, a Communications Advisor for the Kauri Dieback programme within Auckland Council and a Kaitiaki for the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau (Volcanic Cones) team working with Auckland Iwi.
As the Te Arai Residents Association Manager & Ranger, Rob is instrumental in co-management of Te Arai Regional Park, and maintaining predator control at Te Arai North. He is happiest outdoors getting his hands dirty at an operational level.