Meet our people

The WRT’s work is made possible by a network of people committed to the Trust’s vision, including supporters, volunteers, staff and a Board of Trustees who help set out the policy and strategic goals that guide our work.

Board of Trustees

John Stansfield (Chair)

John is a serial social entrepreneur. A founder of the trust and its operating company, Clean Stream, John is currently Chair of the board. He works as director of Advocacy and Campaigns for Oxfam NZ and has worked and travelled extensively in the Pacific Islands. John is the co-founder and former program leader of the Graduate Diploma in not for Profit Management and has been an advisor to Government on Community Sector interests. John lives on Waiheke with his family and is a keen organic gardener and fisherman.

Charlotte Parkes (Deputy Chair)

WRT Board Member from 2010

I have lived on Waiheke since 2004 and became involved with the WRT through my work on promoting zero waste at public events, beginning with the Onetangi Beach Races.

I have always strongly believed that we must work in balance with our natural environment – including other people – rather than seeking to dominate. Perhaps I got these ideas from my mother who was committed to re-using and recycling everything she could before these terms were even invented!

I have a background in setting up and working with, grassroots community organisations, especially in the early childhood and out of school care sectors. I also have an MA in history from Auckland University which led to some interesting researching and writing projects, especially the opportunity to contribute to ‘Standing in the Sunshine’ a history of women in New Zealand edited by Sandra Coney. Two of my greatest pleasures are walking and gardening (especially vegetables!) and my life on Waiheke gives me plenty of opportunity to do both.

Ivan Kitson

I was born in Eketahuna, Aotearoa, of Planet Earth 1950. My sustainability focus is a blend of organic architecture and biological diversity. After an early 1970s period at Auckland University School of Architecture, I became a strong advocate for building in harmony with the natural world through, organic, solar architecture.

After many years of travel, I settled on Waiheke in 1983 to live a sustainable life.

As a plantsman, I continue to propagate Waiheke native plants, with a focus on the restoration of biological diversity. This is supported by the guest accommodation at Bioshelter, our sustainable living sculpture.

I am an original trustee of WRT and I am on the committee of the local branch of Forest & Bird.

Wendy Donald

Wendy, with her late husband, moved to Waiheke Island in 2000, attracted by the closeness to the sea and bush; saving and use of rain water; sewerage disposal on land (not into the sea); close proximity of everything; everyone used some public transport (ferry); and a small community.  She has degrees in Arts, and not-for-profit Management; with post-graduate qualification in architecture and sustainability.  She has been a trustee of the Waste Resource Trust for six years, and is pleased to see the work now expanding to consider the wise and conservative use of all resources.

Emma-Bowyer-Warner

Emma Bowyer-Warner has lived on Waiheke for the last 6 years; originally from the UK she has made Waiheke her new home.  She is passionate about sustainability and the environment having worked in Sustainability and education for over 12 years. She is the first Sustainability Officer in New Zealand in a District Health Board, responsible for providing initiatives and education to the WDHB on all matters regarding sustainability. Areas of her portfolio include waste and energy management, and education initiatives.

George Blanchard

George Blanchard, now retired, was a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the University of Auckland. He has managed to retain contacts in the University, and has acted as a liaison between the Trust and the Engineering School in setting up student projects which, he hopes will prove to be of benefit to Waiheke.

Bill Kinghorn

In the last ten years my professional focus has shifted to the area understanding the value of human resources.  I have had a continuing interest in sustainability my professional life has allowed a development of this interest.

I was delighted to accept a place and serve on the Board of the then Waiheke Waste Resource Trust  which is now rebranded as the Waiheke Resource Trust with a broader field of interest.  This  organisation works as  the  focal point for improving sustainability in our community and has has a proven record of competence in extracting  resources from waste.

Staff

Dorte Wray

I was born on Waiheke and grew up sailing around the Hauraki Gulf on my dads boat, doing Correspondence School .  My interest in community has led me to travel, study and work in many different places and fields, but I love that I have the chance to work on my home motu and at the Waiheke Resources Trust, which I have been doing since 2009. I love Waiheke for the lifestyle it provides – the sailing, the fishing, the beaches, as well as the feisty community spirit and innovative people. I am an avid upcycler and am very enthusiastic about my industrial sewing machine on which I attack recycled fabric and produce a variety of useful (and quite a few not-so-useful) things and I'm also the coordinator for the Community Recycling Network.  

Anna Lowe

Waiheke has been home since I moved here from Great Barrier Island as a child 20 years ago. Before that, I lived in Tasmania so it seems islands are in my blood! Growing up on a water-access only property on Great Barrier instilled a great respect for the natural environment and love of the sea in me. We ate fresh seafood every day - although as a kid I thought mussels and paua were yuck, instead preferring oysters off the rocks - along with home grown veges and fruit from our orchard. My parents did the hard work but their concern for the environment and simple, self-sufficient way of life has increasingly become part of my life as an adult. I began working for the Waiheke Resources Trust at the beginning of 2011 and my role here enables me to contribute to enhancing and protecting the Hauraki Gulf and the islands I call home. My undergraduate degree was in politics and I'm currently working towards a Graduate Diploma in Not for Profit Management.