Our Team

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.

Marketing Manager

Sarah started her career in eco-tourism, in 2007, 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.

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.

Conservation Ranger Team Leader 

Katherine is our newest member of the Pūkaha whānau and joined us in mid-2022. Being originally from the UK she has had a passion for birds ever since she was a child and has been fortunate to turn this into a job.

Over the years, her career has given her opportunities to work around the world in countries such as South Africa, Nepal, Australia and now New Zealand. She recently left her role as a Bird & Herbivore keeper at Wellington Zoo working with some of the smallest animals: the kororā (little blue penguin) to the tallest: the giraffes.

Kat is very excited to be part of a diverse team of people and is very enthusiastic about the amazing conservation work happening at Pūkaha.

 

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.

Pou Kaiārahi / Visitor Centre Team Leader 

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.

Tumuaki Wharekai /Kākā Café Team Leader

Susan heads up a creative team of bakers who are passionate about food and service.

She manages all cafe operations and changes the menu regularly to showcase local seasonal produce.

The team pride themselves on their scones and muffins and have coffee perfection down to a fine art.