Ngāi Tūhoe
General Manager - Maori & 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 whanau, 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).
Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Pou Whakarae - Te Hiringa Taiao
Erica joined NIWA in 1995 and has been a member of NIWA’s Te Kūwaha team since its inception.
As Chief Scientist, Erica is responsible for driving high standards of quality, excellence, and innovation in NIWA’s science leadership in the Māori Environmental Research area. Erica has an extensive research career in the freshwater space with a focus on supporting the research aspirations of whanau, hapū and iwi. Erica is also a key mentor for Te Kūwaha team members and NIWA staff who engage in Māori environmental research.
Ngāti Koata, Tainui-a-whiro, Ngāti Porou
Maori 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.
Tainui
Pou Ārahi – 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.
Taranaki, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Rangi, Te Taou
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
Lee joined the NIWA Wellington office in 2017 from Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika (Port Nicholson Block) where she was the Kaiwhakahaere Taiao me Tono – Manager, Environmental and Cultural Services. As a Pou Ārahi Lee is charged with guiding staff to work collaboratively with Māori that creates, implements, and delivers on best practice. Nā te mahi tahi, waiho ma te tangata e mihi!
Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a- Apanui
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
Andre has a background in health, education and iwi development. As a Pou Ārahi Andre’s role is to build and strengthen relationships with hapū and iwi and to respond to their research priorities and aspirations. Andre’s approach to co-development of projects ensures Māori voices are heard and aspirations are embedded. Andre is based in the NIWA Christchurch office and operates across the South Island.
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.
Ngāti Raukawa
Regional Manager - Nelson
Darren is a senior researcher working across the natural hazards and earth system sciences. He currently leads the research programme: Hazards, Climate and Māori society.
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa
Maori Marine Researcher
Ani joined NIWA after completing a PhD at Canterbury University and Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, which focused on the ‘ecological and sociocultural values of shellfisheries in Hawai'i and Aotearoa’. She has a passion for research on kaimoana and indigenous environmental management to meet whānau and hapū aspirations.
Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui
Ngāti Ranginui
Wastewater Scientist
Tuana joined the team in October 2020 bringing with him extensive experience working with whānau, hapū, marae and rural communities in managing wastewater. Tuana has worked previously at Opus as a Civil Engineering/Survey Technician and at Western Bay of Plenty District Council as the 3 Waters Compliance Team Leader.
Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga
Environmental Researcher
Before joining the ranks of Te Kūwaha in November 2020, Ngahuia led a team of people and managed multiple environmental projects for the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board.
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.
Ngāti Kahungunu, Marangatuhetaua
Marine Scientist (Te Kuwaha)
Kelly has expertise in fisheries and aquaculture, with specific interest in marine fisheries management and the development of tools to assist with assessing the status of fish stocks. She is passionate about the environment and believes strategic research with Māori enhances growth and protection of whānau, hapū, iwi values.
Ngāti Whātua, Te Rarawa
Environmental Social Scientist
Melanie joined Te Kūwaha - Māori Environmental Research team as an Environmental Social Scientist in 2021 after entering NIWA via the Te Kūwaha Graduate 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.
Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura
Research Assistant
Ngāpera was part of the first intake in the Te Kūwaha Graduate Intern programme. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Science majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Geology at the University of Waikato in 2019.
Ngāpera is passionate about the environment and her responsibility as a kaitiaki to protect and preserve the taiao and her ancestral whenua for future generations to come.
Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Rangitāne o Manawatu, Ngāti Porou
PhD Student CarbonWatch
