Meet The Speakers

Ralph has worked at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for 4 years. His current role is Chief Transformation Officer.  He has a background in central government policy and strategy as well as heritage and regional development

Interpreter of cultural perspectives and indigenous philosophies. My name is Ngati Kawa Taituha. I was born and raised in Waitangi which is regarded as the cultural hub for my tribe Ngāpuhi. My ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence in 1835 and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840. As the Waitangi Marae Chairman, I aspire to enlighten those who are interested in learning about our rich culture, history and heritage. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation and I am passionate about sharing these deep facets of our culture in a very relevant and meaningful way.

He Kaihoahoa Whenua (Landscape Architect), He Pouārahi Tikanga Taiao mō Te Rūnanga o Ōnuku aku tūranga i te wā nei.

Heoi anō rā, nō Ngāti Pākehā me te iwi Cherokee o Amerika ahau.

Ko Debbie Tikao taku ingoa.

No reira, tēnā anō tātou katoa.

Debbie is the President and Chairperson of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, the director of Tipu Design, and the manager of Te Taiao Portfolio for Ōnuku Rūnanga. She is a panelist on the Christchurch City Council Urban Design Panel, and is on the Sports NZ National Facilities Strategy Advisory Panel.  Debbie is the lead landscape architect Takapūneke and is leading the process of developing a ki uta ki tai management and climate change adaptation and mitigation plan for Akaroa Harbour. For 7.5 years she was the General Manager of Matapopore. During this time Debbie worked closely with Ngāi Tuahuriri, local and central government to ensure post-earthquake Christchurch embedded the values and stories of Mana Whenua and emerged as a 21st-century city rich with meaning and character, expressing our dual histories and treaty partnership.

Geoff Canham is a Principal Parks and Recreation Specialist with over 40 years of experience in parks leadership, planning, and project management across New Zealand and internationally. As the founder of Thrive Spaces and Places, he specialises in parks and recreation consultancy.

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A Recreation Aotearoa Fellow, Geoff chairs the Industry Accreditation Board for NZRA and has held key leadership roles, including 17 years as NZRA Central Region Chair. He has contributed to national initiatives such as Sport New Zealand peer reviews, the Stewardship Land review, and several environmental and governance boards, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable park management and community engagement.

Te Kopurererua, Restoring the Valley

Ko Mauao te maunga

Ko Tauranga te moana

Ko Takitimu te waka

Ko Ngati Ranginui te iwi

Ko Ngai Tamarawaho te hapu

Ko Huria te marae

Introducing Kylie Willison the General Manager of Te Mahi ā-Nuku, the hapu-based native plant nursery and contracting facility established by Ngai Tamarawaho of Ngati Ranginui, Takitimu waka ki Tauranga Moana. Kylie's passion for growing doesn't stop at plants; it's found in her leadership of the team, the business, and the surrounding community. Inspired by words her grandfather often quoted, "Whāia te iti kahurangi kei te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei," it is with steadfast commitment that she follows her purpose of regenerating mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga within her hapu, through activating Kaitiakitanga. These were values she learned from her tupuna and the legacy continues through her work at Te Mahi ā Nuku. 

Paul is the Head Ranger of the Port Hills and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Regional Parks and also, currently acting Regional Parks Manager.

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Paul has been with the Christchurch City Council since 1993.

Prior to that was working for Land and Survey then Department of Conservation at Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

Have been a park ranger since 1988.

Lance Vervoort has been Chief Executive at HCC since October 2021 and prior to that has had over 20 years experience in senior parks and community facilities management roles. Before moving to the Waikato and HCC in 2010, Lance managed and led the expansion of the Auckland Regional Parks network and was Vice Chair of the Australasian Parks Forum. He is passionate about the provision of open space areas and associated services that connect people with nature and recreational opportunities.

Liz has been with Auckland Council for many years working in parks and open spaces.  Since 2017 she has been working on various ground-breaking projects for the Tῡpuna Maunga Authority.  A number of the projects she has led in conjunction with mana whenua, have received awards from industry organisations for their innovation and incorporation of Te Ao Māori concepts and approaches.

Joe's career has been shaped by a desire to gain positive outcomes for Maori, in his current role and through his previous contributions in the New Zealand Police – Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa and Oranga Tamariki.   He brings a lived knowledge of Te Ao Maori to every aspect of his mahi and the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with mana whenua.

Daikota Nelson is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung woman, born and raised on Djaara Country. With a strong connection to her culture and heritage, Daikota has dedicated her career to protecting and preserving Dja Dja Wurrung land. She previously worked as part of the Djaara Ranger team for four years and has recently returned to the role, continuing her commitment to Joint Management on Country.

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Inspired by her grandfather, Brien Nelson—who worked for Parks Victoria for over 20 years and played a pivotal role in shaping cultural inclusion in land management—Daikota is passionate about embedding cultural values into everyday practices. She takes pride in her work, particularly in cultural heritage protection and the application of Djandak Wi, a traditional cultural fire management practice that promotes ecological regeneration through gentle, controlled burning.

Beyond her ranger role, Daikota is also an established Indigenous artist. What began as a hobby has evolved into a thriving business, allowing her to share cultural stories and knowledge through her art.

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Daikota is deeply committed to fostering positive change through Joint Management, working collaboratively with DJAARA and government agencies to ensure the ongoing protection and celebration of Dja Dja Wurrung culture and Country.

Zelma Carter is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman and a newly appointed Djaara Ranger with Parks Victoria. Deeply connected to Country from a young age, Zelma’s passion for protecting and caring for the land is deeply rooted in her family history.

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Following in the footsteps of her father, who took on a designated Aboriginal role in fire management and tree felling for Parks Victoria two decades ago, Zelma is honored to continue his legacy. She carries his spirit with her in her work, guided by the belief that Country is not just a place but a living entity—one that thrives when cared for.

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With a strong commitment to cultural heritage and environmental stewardship, Zelma is dedicated to ensuring the land remains protected for future generations, embodying the philosophy that if we care for the land, the land will care for us.

Tāne Houston is the Pou Atawhai (Lead Ranger) for Haumanuhia te Hononga Taiao, a partnership between Te Korowai o Ngāruahine and the Taranaki Mounga Project. Of Ngāruahine, Tāngahoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Manuhiakai, Ngāti Tupaia, and Ngāti Tānewai descent, he has a deep connection to his tūpuna maunga.

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Tāne is passionate about te taiao and Te Ao Māori, actively mentoring rangatahi, serving as a Trustee for Kai Kitchen Trust, and working as kaitiaki for Ngāti Tupaia. With expertise in tikanga and environmental stewardship, he fosters strong connections between iwi, communities, and conservation efforts to protect and restore the whenua for future generations.

Annalise Varker is a proud Wamba Wemba and Barkindji woman from central Victoria (Dja Dja Wurrung Country). As a member of the Djaara Ranger team, she is deeply passionate about protecting and preserving Country through her work.

Annalise has completed a Certificate IV in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management and is currently pursuing a Certificate III in Conservation Ecosystem Management. Her connection to Country is at the heart of everything she does—whether walking through the bush, learning from the land, or contributing to environmental restoration.

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She believes that every action taken to care for the environment is a step toward healing Country, and she is dedicated to ensuring that cultural and ecological values are upheld for future generations.

Matthew works for Parks Victoria coordinating the joint management program with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. The program covers 14 parks and reserves and is an integral part of the Gunaikurnai Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the State of Victoria.

Since 2011 Mattthew has worked closely with Indigenous groups unlocking the social, cultural and environmental benefits working on country can deliver.

My is name Kevin Hood, I present myself as a strong proud Gunaikurnai Aboriginal man born and raised in eastern Victoria

Bairnsdale with strong connections to my cultural identity and community. I’ve working at Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation for around 4 and a half years now, I’m currently working as a Joint management ranger and I’m a Yambo (Spirit) officer for gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and working alongside Parks Victoria and DEECA. 

Currently holding a Certificate I in Cultural Heritage Management and a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, I’m a 3rd year (GFF) General Fire Fighter and 3rd year in cultural fire (Towera) management.

I’m so passionate to learn about my culture, being out on country that’s the best feeling, being able to protect our culture heritage is so rewarding to me because our ancestors know their footsteps are being protected. I love being out bush seeing our native animals thrive, our native plants and our native bush tucker plants, I love leaving my footprint for the next generation to come.