Trustees and Advisors

Tamsin Orr-Walker – BAAT; Cert NCCWA

Chair

Tamsin is co-founder of the KCT and has been the Chair since its inception. Tamsin manages the Trusts day to day operations  and coordinates the research projects. She continues to be involved in field work and advocacy in the South Island and developed the 2010 Kea Husbandry Manual (endorsed by DOC) aimed at increasing the captive management standards of all kea in NZ facilities.

Dr. Nigel Adams - Ph.D.; BSc (Hons); BSc

Nigel is co-founder of the KCT and an animal physiologist specializing in ornithology presently employed at Unitec, Auckland, as Senior Lecturer on the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSci). Previous to this position Nigel held research and teaching positions at several Universities in South Africa and in Israel. Current research includes examining stress response in endemic New Zealand birds such as Grey Faced Petrel and Saddleback and surveying kea populations in Borland, Fiordland and Arthur's Pass, Canterbury.

Peter Fraser – NCCWA
Secretary

Peter is co-founder of the KCT. He is the Conservation Officer at Auckland Zoo and has been appointed to the ARAZPA Field Conservation Committee. This committee aims to identify insitu conservation priorities in Australasia. Prior to this he was lecturer and Programme Coordinator for the Certificate in Animal Management (Captive Wild animals) at Unitec, Auckland for 2 ½ years. Peter was also employed by Auckland Zoo between 2002 and 2004 prior to taking up his position at Unitec.

Kevin Plowright – NCAWI

Kevin is currently employed at the SPCA. Prior to this he worked at MAF Quarantine Services as a Canine Operations Officer and Waitakere City Council and SPCA as an Animal Control Officer and Animal Welfare Officer respectively. Kevin has developed public education programmes on animal husbandry, safety and welfare issues and is involved with bird rescue.

Andy Newman - BSc (Hons) in Chemistry; CA (ICAEW)

Treasurer

Andy has practiced as an accountant since 2002, initially in a Professional Services firm in Southampton and in private industry in New Zealand since 2006. He is now based at Victoria University in Wellington.

Melanie White - BPR&T Mgmt, Cert CWA Membership Secretary

Melanie has had a passion for kea since first meeting them in the south island mountains 30 years ago.  After working with them in captivity, and seeing diminishing numbers in the wild, her concern led her to joining the KCT not long after its inception.  Melanie is currently revegetating her Banks Peninsula property in native species with the aim of attracting and supporting native bird species.

Hon. Sir Hugh Williams – LL.B; LL.M (Hons)

Hugh was an Associate Judge of the High Court of New Zealand (1989-93) and a Judge of the High Court in Auckland (1995-2010). Hugh has strong connections with tertiary institutions and was heavily involved with the Massey University Council for 20 yrs, 7 of these as Chancellor (1990-1997). He was also a Palmerston North City Councillor from 1983-89. Hugh was Knighted in 2010 and is now retired from the High Court. He is presently the President of the Electoral Commission.

Dr. Lorne Roberts – PhD; BSc (Hons)

Lorne is co-founder of the KCT. He is a Senior lecturer on the Certificate in Animal Management (Captive Wild Animals) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSci) at Unitec, Auckland. He also holds a position at Auckland Zoo as liaison for the Captive Wild Animal programme and is President of the Auckland Zoological Society (AZS) - the oldest society in New Zealand (1929). Previous research includes monitoring of stress responses in captive Sea lions at Auckland Zoo. Lorne has also been involved in population monitoring of kea at Nelson Lakes (2009 -2011).