Marino Tahi
Iwi / hapū: Ngāi Tūhoe
General Manager - Māori & Pacific Partnerships
Marino sits on the NIWA Executive Management Team and provides strategic leadership and advice to NIWA’s science, operational and cultural functions on matters pertaining to Te Ao Māori, with the aim of maximising the transfer of environmental and natural resource scientific knowledge to whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori entities and communities for the economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefit of the nation.
Marino is also responsible for NIWA’s science delivery and partnerships within the Pacific Rim (Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa).
Linda Faulkner
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Rangi, Whanganui
Pou Whakarae Te Hiringa Taiao (Chief Scientist – Te Kūwaha)
Linda joined the team in 2024, after serving as Manahautū (deputy director) and researcher, for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. Linda brings considerable senior leadership experience through her years as a private consultant (Tūtaiao Ltd) and in senior management roles with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and ERMA NZ. Linda has experience and networks across a broad spectrum of sectors – science, Māori, policy, strategy, government and international including currently serving as Natural Sciences Commissioner for UNESCO NZ and member of the Advisory Board to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As Chief Scientist - Te Kūwaha, Linda is responsible for driving high standards of quality, excellence, and innovation in NIWA’s science leadership in the Māori Environmental Research area.
Dr Erica Williams
Iwi / hapū: Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Principal Scientist – Te Kūwaha
Erica joined NIWA in 1995 and has been a member of Te Kūwaha team since its inception.
Erica has an extensive research career that began with a MSc from the University of Waikato, where she developed a blue mussel embryo-larval toxicity test, she then pursued a PhD at the University of Auckland examining the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on shellfish. Erica has played a significant role in supporting the research aspirations of whānau, hapū, and iwi, during her almost 30-year career at NIWA, particularly in the freshwater space. She is a key member of the Te Kūwaha leadership team and has led/s several large MBIE-funded Māori centres research programme;
- Nga Kete o te wananga - Ngā Kete o te Wānanga: Mātauranga, Science and Freshwater Management | NIWA
- Cultural Keystone Species (CKS) - Cultural Keystone Species | NIWA
- Toitū te Taonga Wai Māori
As a Principal Scientist, Erica plays a crucial role in promoting high standards of quality, excellence, and innovation in NIWA's scientific endeavors, particularly within the Māori Environmental Research sector. She is while dedicated to developing the capacity, capability and culture of NIWAs Māori research team.
Ngahuia Herangi
Iwi / hapū: Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga
Group Manager/Environmental Researcher
Ngahuia brings experience and expertise in co-designing iwi/hapū driven freshwater assessment frameworks and building the capacity and capability of whānau. Having graduated with a Master of Business Administration, Ngahuia works closely with the research and leadership team to achieve collective and individual goals.
Darcel Rickard
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Koata, Tainui-a-whiro, Ngāti Porou
Māori Organisational Development Manager
Darcel works closely with the General Manager – Māori and Pacific Partnerships, the Pou Whakarae – Te Hiringa Taiao and NIWA’s Operations Management Team to implement NIWA’s bicultural organisational development strategy. She works to enhance existing processes, develop and lead new initiatives and provide strategic advice and support.
Darcel also leads the science communication and outreach programme for Te Kūwaha; NIWA’s Māori workforce development and cultural competency programme; and Te Piko o te Māhuri – NIWA's Māori Capability Development programme.
Niketi Toataua
Iwi / hapū: Tainui
Pou Arahi - Māori Development Leader
Niketi is a whanau, hapū and iwi engagement specialist. He has over 27 years of experience in iwi consultation and designing and managing iwi engagement.
In his role as a Pou Ārahi he looks to facilitate strong working relationships between whanau, hapū and iwi and NIWA. Niketi covers from the top of Northland to the central North Island.
April Nepia-Su'a
Iwi / hapū: Nō Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi rātou ko Ngāti Ruanui
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
‘Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au’
April joins NIWA from The Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa as Pou Tikanga for the Iwi in Residence Exhibition – “Ko Rongowhakaata”, where she was responsible for Tikanga Māori protocols, enhancing the organisation’s cultural capability and awareness, along with a myriad of engagements with mana whenua, iwi and Pacific networks, national and international dignataries. She brings experience in the government, corporate, retail, public and travel industries where she held positions at Taura Whiri i te reo Māori, Waitangi Tribunal and Air New Zealand.
April’s role is iwi engagement in the central region, building enduring relationships with NIWA and favourable outcomes for Te Ao Māori, and to strengthen and invigorate NIWA staff with Mātauranga Māori raising further awareness of NIWA as a strong Treaty partner.
Jay Hepi
Iwi / hapū: Kai Tahu, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Waikato-Maniapoto
Pou Arahi - Māori Development Leader
Jay joined the NIWA whānau from Christchurch City Council where he was Pouwhakatohutohu Matua-Acting Principal Advisor-Te Tiriti Relationships. Born and bred in Ōtautahi, Jay has the Pou Ārahi-Māori Development Leader role for Te Waipounamu. Jay’s role requires working closely with iwi, hapū, mana whenua and whānau across Te Waipounamu and other iwi, to strengthen relationships with NIWA, whilst also supporting the development for a greater understanding of how our organisation works and engages with Māori and other entities.
Dr Shannan Crow
Iwi / hapū: Te Atiawa
Freshwater Fish Ecologist
Shannan has been involved in a wide variety of freshwater research projects during his 15 years at NIWA, but his true passion is fish. Shannan has expertise in tuna fisheries assessments for iwi and freshwater fish taxonomy, ecology and behaviour.
Shannan is based in the NIWA Christchurch office and has a keen passion for photography.
Mark Fenwick
Iwi / hapū: Te Atiawa, Ngāti Te Whiti, Ngāti Tawhirikura, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui
Marine Ecologist
Mark has been involved in a wide range of marine ecology, fisheries and freshwater taonga species research during his 15 years at NIWA. He has a great general knowledge of marine and freshwater species and specialises in shellfish and octopus taxonomy. Mark is regularly involved in fisheries stock assessments, marine biosecurity and biodiversity surveys, and kākahi research.
Mark’s love for the environment stems from his childhood ramblings in the Tararua ranges, the rivers and lakes that originate from them, and fishing and diving along the Wairarapa coast. He is passionate about kākahi and their welfare.
Tekiteora Rolleston-Gabel
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Kahu, Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi
Environmental Researcher
Tekiteora is committed to advancing Māori-centred research and supporting whānau, hapū, and iwi in their environmental aspirations. Tekiteora has a diverse range of skills that span both freshwater and marine spaces. She also works to support the implementation of NIWA’s bicultural organisational development strategy.
Tekiteora was part of the first intake of NIWA’s Te Kūwaha Graduate Intern programme, after completing conjoint BA and BSc degrees from the University of Waikato. She then completed a MSc looking at shellfish health, including the pathogens and parasites in tuatua.
Melanie Mayall-Nahi
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Whātua, Te Rarawa
Environmental Social Scientist
Melanie joined the Te Kūwaha team as an Environmental Social Scientist in 2021 after entering NIWA via the Te Kūwaha Graduate Intern programme. Melanie completed her MSc in Environmental Management, with her thesis investigating how the active experiences of kaitiaki in river restoration can broaden our understandings of cultural and spiritual dimensions of river restoration.
Mel Hayden
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Toa, Ta Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai
Environmental Researcher
Melanie joined Te Kūwaha as an environmental researcher in 2022 after an 18-month graduate experience at MPI, based primarily in Fisheries New Zealand. She completed her MSc in Biological Science in 2021, with her thesis focussed on the ‘conservation physiology of hoiho | yellow-eyed penguins’. She has since expanded her expertise to include sediment source tracing, and has worked in projects across the fisheries, marine ecology and coastal & estuarine processes fields. Melanie is passionate about the marine and coastal environments and believes that working alongside mana whenua and mana moana is key to improving environmental outcomes
Jessie Scarrott
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Tara Tokonui rātou ko, Ngāti Māhanga
Environmental Researcher – Marine Biosecurity/Biology
Jessie recently completed her Master’s in Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, with her research titled “Navigating the Caulerpa Crisis: Māori Perspectives Informing Marine Conservation”. Her work focuses on integrating Māori perspectives into marine conservation strategies, addressing the challenges posed by invasive species.
Jessie has been with NIWA for 6 years, taking on various roles while completing her university studies. Her extensive experience at NIWA has equipped her with a broad array of research and technical skills.
Her research interests include
- Marine conservation and management.
- Integration of mātauranga Māori and scientific research methodologies.
- Invasive species management, particularly focusing on Caulerpa.
- Molecular and morphological taxonomy and fisheries.
Ruby Mckenzie Sheat
Iwi / hapū: He uri au nō Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, me Waitaha
Environmental Researcher – Climate/Hazards
Ruby is an Environmental Researcher - Climate/Hazards at NIWA, based in Christchurch. Having completed a Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Ruby joined the Te Kūwaha graduate internship programme and then Te Kuwaha in 2024. Ruby’s researcher is focused on disaster risk and resilience, hazards and climate change, particularly within Māori communities. She has contributed to the development of Māori-centred resources for disaster preparedness, emphasizing the importance of mātauranga and rangatiratanga in enhancing community wellbeing.
Siobhan Nuri
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Ranginui, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Pikiao
Freshwater Technician
Siobhan is currently enrolled in a PhD at the University of Waikato. Her thesis research is focusing on providing insights into the early life histories of longfin and shortfin tuna.
Siobhan is passionate about freshwater fisheries and te taiao. In 2020, Siobhan was lead author on a paper published in the NZ Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research entitled ‘Comparison of bathyscope and snorkelling methods for iwi monitoring of kākahi populations in the shallow littorals of Lake Rotorua and Rotoiti’. She was also awarded the Department of Conservation’s Best Contribution to Conservation award at the 2020 NZ Freshwater Science Society Conference.
Kararaina Te Puni
Iwi / hapū: Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Te Rangi
PhD Student CarbonWatch
Kararaina was part of the second intake of Te Kūwaha Graduate Interns and has a background in chemistry, completing her BSc (honours) in Mechanochemistry at the University of Auckland in 2020.
She is currently enrolled in a PhD at Victoria University where, alongside iwi, she is investigating the ability of native forests to sequester carbon as part of the CarbonWatch NZ project.
Kararaina was recently awarded runner-up best student poster at the 2022 International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography.
