Kotahitanga mō te Taiao (KMTT) has welcomed a new group of trustees to help guide its ambitious environmental restoration kaupapa across Te Tauihu ki Kawatiri, bringing together expertise in conservation, local government, iwi partnerships and environmental leadership.
The appointments are being hailed as a significant step forward for the Trust as it continues to build momentum around large-scale ecological restoration and intergenerational wellbeing. The new trustees include Penny Nelson, Abbie Reynolds, Rachel Sanson and Kerensa Johnston, each bringing extensive experience from conservation, governance and community leadership.
Incoming trustee Penny Nelson says she has long admired the work of Kotahitanga mō te Taiao and is looking forward to contributing to the restoration and protection of the region she now calls home. Fellow trustee Abbie Reynolds describes the Trust as a powerful vehicle for positive environmental change, while Rachel Sanson says she is eager to apply her local government experience and passion for conservation to support the alliance’s aspirations. Trustee Kerensa Johnston says she is honoured to contribute to a kaupapa focused on the intergenerational wellbeing of both whenua and whānau.
KMTT Trust Chair Hemi Sundgren says the Trust reflects the alliance’s commitment to collaborative, landscape-scale restoration, emphasising that while trustees bring diverse strengths and perspectives, their shared purpose remains central. He says the next phase is about building on the momentum already underway across the region through collaboration between iwi, communities and organisations.
Alliance Co-Chair Martin Rodd says the appointments significantly strengthen the governance of the organisation, noting the trustees’ national and international conservation experience. He says the new board combines expertise from former senior conservation leaders, environmental organisations, iwi partnerships and local government, creating a governance team with exceptional insight and capability.
The appointments have also been welcomed by local government representatives. Diane Rossiter, representing the Buller District Council within the Alliance, says trustee Rachel Sanson understands the financial pressures councils face while maintaining a practical commitment to long-term conservation goals, including Predator Free 2050. She believes the strengthened board positions the Alliance to achieve even greater outcomes for the region.
Kotahitanga mō te Taiao brings together iwi, councils, conservation organisations and community groups with a shared vision of restoring biodiversity and strengthening the relationship between people and the environment. The new trustees are expected to play a key role in guiding that vision as environmental restoration projects continue to expand across Te Tauihu ki Kawatiri.
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