Established in 2012, we consist of a small executive team, a board of independent trustees and a network of community, agency and expert partners.
Our strength lies in our ethos: that nature (people included) thrives when inter-connected.
We call ourselves Connectivity Catalysts - fostering collaboration across Northland, activating pathways to nature-based jobs and thriving ecosystems.
Pou Manatū/General Manager
Eamon joined Reconnecting Northland in 2016 as the Pou Manatū (General Manager).
Weaving a passion for indigeneity, Eamon is a builder of community through creative and experimental means.
A behind the scenes action-man, he has a background in Industry training, research and community-led initiatives which he brings to the Programme.
Eamon joined Reconnecting Northland in 2016 as the Pou Manatū (General Manager). Weaving a passion for indigeneity, Eamon is a builder of community through creative and experimental means.
A behind the scenes action-man, he has a background in Industry training, research and community-led initiatives which he brings to the Programme.
Of Te Roroa, Ngāti Torehina, Ngāti Arera, Crete, Scottish and Irish whakapapa, Eamon is passionate about leadership that shifts from assuming the sovereignty of humans to acknowledging the mana of nature to build more cohesive and resilient communities.
“I love the agile nature of Reconnecting Northland and the prospect of affecting transformative impact for Te Tai Tokerau”.
Training & Learning Development Co-ordinator
Julie joined the Reconnecting Northland Team in October 2020 as the Training and Learning Development Co-ordinator.
She grew up in the Waitakere Ranges, West Auckland and after much travelling around has realised her dream of living in Whangarei, Te Tai Tokerau.
She has worked in education as a tutor, co-ordinator and an assessor in Workplace Training and Foundation and Communication learning programmes.
Julie joined the Reconnecting Northland Team in October 2020 as the Training and Learning Development Co-ordinator. She grew up in the Waitakere Ranges, West Auckland and after much travelling around has realised her dream of living in Whangarei, Te Tai Tokerau.
She has worked in education as a tutor, co-ordinator and an assessor in Workplace Training and Foundation and Communication learning programmes. She enjoys working with people to achieve their goals and aspirations and believes education provides us with more choices and opportunities in our lives.
“I am thrilled to be working for an organisation that fosters learning and career development in a supportive setting, and in which the protection of land, the waterways and people is central to its role.”.
Business Support Manager
Honey joined the RN team in March after transitioning from a career funds management. Using her skills in developing systems solutions, Honey is already working on the back-end support for the Te Kete Hononga trial.
Honey also has a passion for rongoā māori and natural medicine and loves being out in the bush.
Honey joined the RN team in March after transitioning from a career funds management. Using her skills in developing systems solutions, Honey is already working on the back-end support for the Te Kete Hononga trial.
Honey also has a passion for rongoā māori and natural medicine and loves being out in the bush.
Of Ngai Te Whatupiāpiti, Ngāti Kahungunu and Scottish descent, Honey has recently made the move north from Heretaunga, Hastings to Pipiwai where she lives with her partner, his nan and their kuri.
“It’s such a privilege to be a part of a movement that challenges the status quo with awe inspiring solutions for the betterment of all. I’m excited to do my part.”
Project Manager/Kairaranga Matua
Thalea joined the team in May 2023 and has hit the ground running, building relationships with agencies, and expanding the services for Te Kete Hononga.
Thalea has a passion for building the capacity and capability in collectives who facilitate community-led initiatives in ecological restoration projects ‘on the ground’. A strategic networker, who has a long-standing background in community and indigenous (Iwi) development, which includes interlinking ecological, social, cultural & economic dimensions to co-create sustainable outcomes, in Aotearoa and abroad.
Thalea joined the team in May 2023 and has hit the ground running, building relationships with agencies, and expanding the services for Te Kete Hononga.
Thalea has a passion for building the capacity and capability in collectives who facilitate community-led initiatives in ecological restoration projects ‘on the ground’. A strategic networker, who has a long-standing background in community and indigenous (Iwi) development, which includes interlinking ecological, social, cultural & economic dimensions to co-create sustainable outcomes, in Aotearoa and abroad.
Key whakapapa linkages are Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua & Ngāpuhi, which has enabled Thalea to be of service to her iwi and communities on several initiatives (and arenas) over the years.
“I am excited to embark on this journey with the leaders of Reconnecting Northland, to make a difference for the people and the biodiversity of our beautiful region, Te Taitokerau
Programme Manager
Frankie joined RN in December 2023 as the Programme Manager after working in climate change policy in roles in both Aotearoa and Australia. As RN’s Programme Manager, Frankie is using her skills to lead several workstreams and support the team in whatever way she can.
Frankie was born in Italy but has called Aotearoa home for the past 22 years. She is passionate about conserving and restoring te taiao by empowering communities as kaitiaki to do so as they see fit.
Frankie moved to Te Whanganui-a-Tara from Italy with her family when she was 10 years old and still identifies strongly and equally with both Italian and Kiwi culture. She recently relocated to Kerikeri and joined Reconnecting Northland in December 2023 as the team’s Programme Manager.
Frankie is committed to using her skills to support communities in Te Taitokerau determine their own aspirations for te taiao and achieve socio-ecological outcomes. She is currently studying te reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and is always looking for ways to grow her understanding of Te Ao Mārama.
“I am incredibly thankful to be able in a position where I can support RN’s important kaupapa where communities are put at the heart of everything we do, and the land and the people are empowered to speak for themselves.”
The Reconnecting Northland programme is overseen by a Board of between three and nine Trustees and two Advisory Trustees.
The board bring a diversity of skills and experience to provide a governance role in helping to develop, approve and monitor the Reconnecting Northland Trust's strategy, policies and key systems.
The Board also appoints the Pou Manatū and ensures performance targets are met and approves major expenditure via approval of an annual business plan.
The board currently meet on a regular quarterly basis to ensure they deliver this role effectively. All of our Trustees are volunteers.
Chairperson
Chairperson
Liz is an experienced Director who brings: a passion for the environment, strategic ideas to support transformational change and philanthropic fundraising experience to the Board. She runs a boutique private equity investment company and advisory firm where she assists companies with international expansion.
"Community groups across Northland are embracing the huge challenge of ecological restoration. It’s an exciting and humbling experience to support those efforts as part of the RN team.”
Deputy Chairperson
Deputy Chairperson
At home in the bush” Paul enjoys working to preserve and enhance the extensive native bush on both his own farm as well as on other people’s farms. He has significant experience in the primary industries, living on and running a family farm in the Whangarei district when not working as an Agribusiness Consultant. An experienced Director, with a passion for New Zealand’s flora and fauna, Paul enjoys tramping in the New Zealand bush in his spare time.
“Northland is lucky to have more remnant indigenous ecosystems than many regions of New Zealand, and I am excited to help RN to achieve its vision for the good of all Northlanders”
Trustee
Trustee
'We are fortunate in Northland that we have an abundance of habitat, what we need to do is manage that habitat so that the native species living there are protected and can flourish. The unique perspective that Reconnecting Northland brings is planning for biodiversity in a productive setting that recognizes people are part of the solution, not just the cause of the problem.'
Trustee
