Our Team
Pūkaha has a dedicated team of staff and volunteers from a variety of backgrounds including zoology, ecology, marine biology and anthropology.
The workplace comprises Visitor Centre guides, captive breeding rangers, marketing, cafe and maintenance.
Emily Court
General Manager
Emily took up the reins as General Manager in October 2017. She has a diverse management background including banking, retail, economic development and international education, and holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Business Administration.
Emily is committed to taking Pūkaha to the next level both as a tourism destination and as a leader in New Zealand’s conservation community.
Georgina Morrison
Board Co-Chair
Meet the entire Board here.
Georgina is the Executive Officer of Environment Hubs Aotearoa and Enviroschools facilitator in both the Tararua District and Palmerston North City.
Georgina also sits on the Boards of Eastern & Central Community Trust and Pahiatua School.
Georgina is a mum to Harry and Anna, who attend Pahiatua Primary School, and lives on a dairy farm with her husband Duncan.
Claire Matthews
Board Co-Chair
Meet the entire Board here.
Sarah Watkins
Commercial Development Manager
Sarah has 18 years experience in eco-tourism, managing high ropes courses and suspended airwalks in Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
She draws upon a solid skillset that includes operations, marketing, general management and even graphic design.
Sarah is also a professional photographer.
Jess Flamy
Head Ranger
Jess has 16 years experience working with birds, a passion born after being given a pet lovebird at age 5.
In her native France she worked with a number of different species including flamingo, tucan, and various parrots including 2 kea.
This led Jess to New Zealand, where she has been ever since, heading up the captive breeding team at Pūkaha.
John Bissell
Lead Forest Restoration Contractor,
Backblocks Environmental Management Limited
John Bissell has a lifetime of experience in the mountains and farming country of New Zealand. Before starting up Backblocks in 2016, John had a successful career in conservation and all aspects of environmental and land management and planning.
Ruia Taukamo
Pou Kaiārahi- Visitor Centre Team Leader
Ruia joined the Pūkaha whānau in March 2021.
She manages the Retail shop and runs the Visitor Centre, leading a team who provide tours & talks for visitors and educational groups. Her team also run Junior Rangers, a school holiday program designed to inspire and educate young children about the ngahere (forest) and wildlife.
Ruia or her team are often the first ones that will greet you with a warm smile and welcome on your arrival.
Alex Wall
Marketing & Community Engagement Co-ordinator
Alex is our marketing guy. He covers media, PR, advertising, promotions, communications, events and community engagement.
He has a diverse background in telecommunications, wine, tourism and education.
His weekly column entitled Peek at Pūkaha for the Wairarapa Midweek newspaper helps highlight conservation issues and the untold stories from Pukaha’s forest reserve.
Kerri Moore
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Kerri has been part of the Pūkaha whanau for the last five years, starting out as a volunteer herself as part of the restoration team.
She has a diverse background including as a farmer. She loves her job, especially working with people and the beautiful forest scenery.
Everlyne Chase
Kaiarahi
Ko Tararua te maunga.
Ko Mangatainoka te awa.
No Pahiatua ahau.
Ko au he uri o Ngai Tuhoe raua ko Ngati Porou.
Ko Everlyne Chase ahau.
He Kaiarahi Māori o Pūkaha ahau.
Kia ora, My name is Everlyne Chase.
Here at Pūkaha, I am a Cultural Tour Guide.
I will show you a Māori world view of Pūkaha with a specialised view of the Rangitāne iwi, who have resided on this whenua (land) for 30 plus generations.
Nau mai haere mai.
Christine Reed
Biodiversity Manager
Christine has had a long association with Pūkaha from her early career studying Kakī (black stilt) at Mount Bruce, before establishing a captive rearing and release facility for this critically endangered species in Twizel.
She returned to Wellington to work in DOC’s Threatened Species Unit, taking the national lead on captive management and the development of wildlife health capacity at DOC.
She continued her association with Pūkaha as Conservancy Advisory Scientist for Wellington Conservancy before taking up a role leading the biosecurity science and risk assessment team in MAF/MPI in 2001.
Christine started in the Biodiversity Manager role in January 2021.
Kelly Body
Pou Mātauranga/Education Director
Kelly started in early 2021. She brings a background in zoology, ecology and science communication and has created science-based educational content that’s reached students of all ages and backgrounds across the world!
She is incredibly enthusiastic about conservation in Aotearoa and wants to engage young people with nature to inspire their critical thinking and science literacy skills.
Kelly is excited about developing a collaborative and meaningful education programme that centres students, teachers, Pūkaha’s wildlife and its history as Te Tapere Nui o Whatonga.