OUR TEAM
Meet some of the team that make things happen.
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Committee Chair
Amanda was proudly born and raised in Pōrangahau. As a kid she roamed the hills of her family farm on horseback, and in the summer, she swam in streams and Taurekaitai. She rode her pony to the beach and up and down Wilder Road, stopping for picnics along the way. She loved the village and worked for local shearing gangs in the summer holidays to save money for overseas travel. Amanda boomeranged back to Wanstead in 2000, married Don Withers in 2005 and they raised two sons together, now teenagers.
An original Te Opoko Paoa (Wanstead Swamp) restoration supporter, Amanda started talking about restoring the swamp in the early 2000s. Her father, a dedicated farmer who spent 45 years working the hills of Pōrangahau, helped shape her as a kaitiaki of the land, inspiring her commitment to environmental stewardship through his early adoption of sustainable practices.
Alongside her role as chair of the PCG committee, Amanda has been involved with the Waipukurau Tennis Club for the last 25 years, alongside many other community involvements. She has a huge passion for how important sport is for the wellbeing of Central Hawke’s Bay.
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Priority Project Funding Coordinator
Maddy farms alongside her husband Andrew and two kids on a sheep and beef farm in the Wallingford area. She has a passion for native biodiversity passed down from her parents, who were active in regenerative planting on their property in the Waikato.
Maddy has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Lincoln University and advanced training in sustainable nutrient management from Massey University. She previously worked as a land management advisor for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.
Maddy's mahi is driven by a strong personal commitment to the environment, particularly the Huatokitoki stream, 12km of which runs through her property. Maddy is dedicated to preserving the aquatic and bird life that thrives in and around it.
From the hills to the sea, Maddy sees the catchment as a place of natural beauty that she is dedicated to protecting—not only for her family but for the wider community. With her kids swimming and fishing in the Pōrangahau estuary, Maddy is committed to preserving its health for them and future generations.
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Ed has worked for the Department of Conservation in various positions, including a role in the biodiversity team working with kiwi and threatened species of flora and fauna.
Currently farming sheep and beef with his father, Ed volunteers his time to the PCG because as a custodian of the land he feels he should try and leave the land in a better state for future generations. He is passionate about this work and absolutely loves doing it.
Ed’s favourite native plant is the horoeka (lancewood) because of how it changes so much from a juvenile to mature tree. His favourite bird is the ruru (morepork) because of their nocturnal melodies.
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Living alongside the awa has shaped my deep connection to Taurekaitai and the many tributaries. Each day, I witness the ebb and flow of the tides, the changing moods of the awa, and its winding journey through the Pōrangahau catchment.
My commitment to the PCG stems from growing concern about the rapid transformation of our farmland into vast pine plantations by international corporations. These sweeping changes to our catchment raise serious questions about the future we're creating for our children.
Through our work protecting waterways and planting native species, I hope to preserve the natural balance of our awa and ensure that future generations can experience the same deep connection to these vital waterways that I have.
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Catchment Coordinator
Hannah's journey began at Otago University, where she earned a Master of Business in marketing. It was after her early years studying consumption and consumerism that she had a life-changing epiphany. She realised that her true calling lies in the harmonious intersection of environmental preservation and economic prosperity.
Hannah farms on Bird Road with her husband, Sam, and their three teenage children. Her favourite tree, the kahikatea, symbolises the strength of unity. Just as the roots of the kahikatea intertwine to form a resilient grove, Hannah believes that collaboration is the key to achieving sustainable environmental outcomes.
Amongst the native birds and critters, Hannah holds a special fondness for the kea. This intelligent and cheeky bird soars high among the majestic mountains of Te Waipounamu, the South Island, embodying the spirit of freedom and exploration.
Hannah brings her passion for the environment and marketing expertise to her role as the Pōrangahau Catchment Co-ordinator. She is committed to fostering a thriving and sustainable community for both the present and future generations.
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Hayley is a passionate farmer, community member and environmental advocate, based at Lake Station in Wanstead. Alongside her mahi as a sheep and beef farmer with husband Andy and four children, she co-owns a native nursery. Hayley is actively involved in native planting projects and cares deeply about preserving the natural world for future generations.
Leading by example, Hayley takes pride in being part of an active, environmentally focused Pōrangahau Catchment Group committee, working towards a sustainable future for the community. She’s a strong believer in the power of community spirit and the importance of families connecting with and enjoying the natural environment.
Hayley’s favourite bird is the kererū. She believes that when we see kererū thriving and flying freely throughout the catchment, we’ll know we have a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Her favourite native tree is the pōhutukawa.
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Catherine has always had a close connection with the land, having grown up on a sheep and beef farm. She went to Lincoln University to study a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) and now works as an Agribusiness Analyst at BEL Group.
Catherine has been living in Pōrangahau for three years on a farm. She volunteers her time to the PCG because, quite simply, this is her home.
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Communications Coordinator
Originally from the UK, though a New Zealander for more than 30 years, Ben is a relative newcomer to the Pōrangahau catchment.
With a background in design and brand strategy, working with high profile brands in New Zealand and overseas, Ben brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Communications Coordinator for the Pōrangahau Catchment Group.
In addition, Ben is a co-founder of Kākano Nurseries. He has in-depth knowledge of local biodiversity and a strong commitment to seeing the catchment and its communities thrive. His work eco-sourcing and propagating native plants has taken him to some of the most unique and beautiful parts of the catchment.
Ben believes that we all have an important role to play in safeguarding and improving our natural environment, while ensuring the future prosperity of the people who live here.
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Committee Vice Chair
Vic knew from the start that she wanted to pursue a career in environmental conservation in a rural landscape. Born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in the Paraparas, just outside Whanganui, she spent countless hours immersed in nature. She went on to study a Bachelor of AgriScience at Massey University and now works as a Senior Catchment Advisor at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, focusing on the Pōrangahau catchment.
Living and working in the community with her husband has further fueled her passion for the land, which led her to join the Pōrangahau Catchment Group at its inception. It's an initiative close to her heart, and she is deeply committed to its success.
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Financial Admin
With deep roots in the Pōrangahau soil - Bek’s mum grew up on a farm at Mangaorapa and married a local - Te Paerahi (Pōrangahau Beach) is her second home, where she spends time with her husband and two children, creating memories and finding peace. After 20 years in the agricultural industry, Bek transitioned to bookkeeping, working from home, which led her to the passionate team at the PCG. Through the group, she discovered a new passion for environmental work and has enjoyed growing alongside this dedicated group.
Bek has always loved the iconic pōhutukawa tree, whose vibrant red blooms reflect the strength and resilience she has drawn upon throughout her life. She also finds comfort in watching the graceful tūī and lively pīwakawaka (fantail). These birds service as reminders to Bek of people she has lost.
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Sam is a fourth-generation farmer at Airlie on Pōrangahau Road. He volunteers his time with the PCG because he's passionate about looking after the land and the surrounding environment. He believes it’s a straightforward task when everyone has the same belief and does their part.
Fencing waterways and planting them up along with stabilising the hillsides has always made sense to Sam, both for the environment and his farm’s bottom line. He thinks it’s crazy to let hard work and money literally go down the drain.
His favourite native trees are the kauri for the sheer size and the kōwhai for its colour when in flower. His favourite bird is the kererū because he loves how they swoop past at low levels to land in the trees. Sam believes the presence of kererū is a handy indicator of having plenty of food available for native birdlife.
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Rob McLean’s lifelong commitment to conservation began on his family’s WWI ballot farm at the end of Whangaehu Road near Cape Turnagain. Raised beside the Whangaehu creek, he developed a deep connection to nature through a self-sufficient rural lifestyle and his father’s land care innovations. Childhood adventures – hunting possums, hiking coastal trails, and exploring the Ruahine ranges – shaped his respect for the land.
Today, Rob leads conservation efforts in the Whangaehu basin, focusing on predator control, eco-sourcing native seeds and planting along waterways and roadsides. He has propagated northern Rātā seedlings from ancient trees at Tautane Station and champions the kererū for its vital role in forest regeneration.
Rob helped establish the McLean bush reserve in the 1970s and has supported QEII covenants and fencing to protect native coastal habitats. His grassroots leadership continues to inspire environmental stewardship across the Pōrangahau community.
OUR FOUNDERS
