Our dedicated staff

Ru Collin is our Chief Executive. Ru was a Trustee of the Sanctuary for two years before stepping down to take on the CE role in mid-2019.

Click here for a short video of Ru discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Nick Robson is our Operations Manager, coordinating the volunteers’ and staffs’ efforts to maintain and develop the Sanctuary’s assets for everyone to enjoy.

Click here for a short video of Nick discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Robert Schadewinkel is our Ecologist and takes care of protecting the Sanctuary against pest and predator threats. Robert is the primary response person when we have fence breaches and pest incursions to deal with, and is also our technical resource with species introduction plans.

Click here for a short video of Robert discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Deborah McConochie is the Sanctuary’s Business Development Associate and takes care of our valuable Brook Business Club members programme, and all other fundraising activities. Deb also helps with business systems development. (Deb is a contractor to the Sanctuary)

Click here for a short video of Deborah discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Murray Neill is our Field Operations Coordinator, responsible for fence security, training and coordinating specific projects as they arise. Involved in all aspects of the sanctuary operation, Murray is experienced in most aspects of conservation field work, and leads our Weeding Project funded by the DOC Jobs for Nature programme.

Click here for a short video of Murray discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Nick Tilly is our Office Manager: accounts, business systems, payroll, the website and much of our social media activities, and anything else that needs doing come under his rather large hat!

Click here for a short video of Nick discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Rick Field is our tours’ host, enhancing understanding of the Sanctuary’s aims and wider conservation issues via education talks with schools and other groups interested in improving our environment. (Part time)

Click here for a short video of Rick discussing his work at the Sanctuary.

Steffi is our Biosecurity Ranger. She is originally from Germany, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning. She is fascinated with the flora and fauna in New Zealand and she is very excited to become a part of the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.

Click here for a short video of Steffi discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Olivia is our Events, Promotions & Media Coordinator. Olivia is interested in native ecology and conservation and is also passionate about the arts. She hopes to promote the intermingling of these worlds during her role with the Sanctuary.

Click here for a short video of Olivia discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Shani is our Education Support person. She thrives on helping connect those who visit the Sanctuary with nature through storytelling. She aims to work collaboratively with local iwi to promote the rich mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) held about ecosystem restoration.

Click here for a short video of Shani discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Chelsea joined our Noxious Weeds Project team in October 2021 as it fits with her interest in native plant conservation. Chelsea has worked in the horticulture sector for the previous six years, primarily in nursery work.

Click here for a short video of Chelsea discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Jazz joined the Sanctuary as (part time) Visitor Centre and Volunteer Coordinator in late November 2022. Jazz’s background includes experience at DOC customer relationships for 9 years, was involved with a Conservation board and was the Hospitality Manager for The Boathouse for four years. Jazz also has some history with the Sanctuary stretching back 15-25 years. She was impressed with our efforts and wants to contribute toward ecosystem restoration and with effectively engaging the community. 

Click here for a short video of Jazz discussing her work at the Sanctuary.

Henry joined the Noxious Weeds Project (funded by the Jobs for Nature programme through DOC) in July 2023. He says, “I have always loved New Zealand flora and fauna, so much that I decided to study ecology and biodiversity at Victoria University. I have a fascination with native plants and enjoy seeing these plants thriving within the protection of the Sanctuary.”

My name is Taea and I am currently a trainee ranger enrolled at NMIT. I love the outdoors and the idea of restoring and harmonizing with nature. I decided to become a ranger in order to get outdoors more and try to make a bit of difference in my lifetime. I hope to get exposure to all that the field of conservation has to offer and find a place where I can make my mark. The Sanctuary seems to have a wide variety of opportunities for me to try out, that I am very much look forward to trying!

I am a trainee ranger at NMIT and I’m working at Sanctuary over the 2023/24 summer months. I’m interested in conservation as it allows me to work in the outdoors and to work as part of a team. In my spare time I like go on walks around the area. I grew-up on a lifestyle block with two cows every two years and around 5 chickens – I would always be helping dad with the jobs around the house as I grew up.