Te Ranga Wairua Trustees
Quentin Potae
Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki – Project visionary
For more than thirty years, Quentin Potae has dedicated his life to eradicating pests on and around the land that has supported his haukianga for 40 generations.
For eight years he led the team protecting Moehau, in the process creating a vast network of tracks and traps that sustain the mountain’s biodiversity.
As a controlled substance licence holder, he has experience organising and executing multi-stage pest control operations including ground based and aerial efforts.
Quentin’s immediate family own large amounts of land in Harataunga which has served as the petri dish to test methods, refine techniques and collate the data that frames this proposal. Intergenerational relationships with neighbouring whanau along with his tireless energy, have aligned likeminded landowners to stand side by side and face the immense threat mammalian pests pose to te taiao together.
Dr Kate James
Environmental Scientist
Kate has a work background including roles in conservation, biosecurity, research, and science communication. With a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Pharmacology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science and a Ph.D. focused on biosecurity, she currently manages a field team who run pest animal and plant control operations at Driving Creek Conservation Park, as well as fulfilling contract work. Employers include, Save the Kiwi, Waikato Regional Council, Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust, Ministry for Primary Industries, Remnant Restoration Ltd, and Save Mercury Bay Trust.
Jane Maich
Treasurer
Te Ranga Wairua Members
Evan Hamon
Whether it’s cutting tracks through unforgiving terrain or protecting endangered species with tactical bait station maintenance, no one knows the Harataunga bush like Evan Hamon.
As a kid he ran around the hills surrounding his family land, the same land he now methodically patrols and protects in Hauratanga.
Every tree, bird, bush, and bug are as familiar as whanau to his keen eye for detail and his historical knowledge of the area is second to none.
Jeff & Raine Williams
Jeff and Raine have helped individuals and community groups around the Coromandel start up pest animal control projects. He was a founding Trustee of the Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust. He has been on-the ground for ten years with pest control projects from Coromandel to Fiordland. Jeff also presents GPS workshops to DOC, councils, and community groups to upskill trappers and improve trap network infrastructure and effectiveness.
Warik Blake
Technical Director
Warik seamlessly blends problem-solving prowess with visionary insight to shape our projects’ technological backbone. His astute eye for detail and relentless pursuit of excellence transform obstacles into opportunities, ensuring smooth project execution. Warik’s knack for conceptualising future technology landscapes inspires groundbreaking ideas, propelling our endeavours forward.
He fosters an environment where creativity thrives and innovation flourishes, inspiring the team to push boundaries. With a holistic approach, he addresses challenges while laying the foundation for long-term success, making him invaluable. Warik’s strategic vision and technical acumen steer projects to unparalleled heights, leaving an indelible mark on the technological landscape.