AOTEA GREAT BARRIER LOCAL BOARD ELECTION: MEET THE CANDIDATES
At the Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, we care deeply about making sure the future of our island reflects the values of our people and the special environment we live in. With the Local Board elections coming up, we asked all eight candidates to share their thoughts on some of the big environmental issues that matter to our community. Their answers give us a sense of how each candidate sees the challenges and opportunities ahead for looking after Aotea’s natural and cultural treasures. The questions we asked were:
What is your personal vision for the future of Aotea's natural environment (what to you hope the island will look and feel like in 10, 20 or 50 years)?
Do you support the long-term goal of removing feral cats and rodents from Aotea as part of the Tū Mai Taonga project (and why/why not)?
What is your position on marine protection around the island - do you support increased protection measures such as rāhui, marine reserves or fisheries restrictions?
What does responsible pet ownership mean to you - in the context of a predator-sensitive island like Aotea?
What three environmental issues are most important to you as a candidate - and what would you do about them is elected?
What is your personal vision for the future of Aotea's natural environment (what to you hope the island will look and feel like in 10, 20 or 50 years)?
Ben Assado
My vision for Aotea’s natural future is deeply aligned with the purposes of Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, Department of Conservation andlocal Environmental Trusts, such as the Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust: to preserve biodiversity, restore lost species, and foster a resilient, ecology-based economy.
10 Years Ahead: I envision an island where our unique species—kōkako, tīeke, kākā, kererū, pāteke, and the chevron skink—are flourishing again, supported by effective pest control and community-led restoration efforts.
20 Years Ahead: Aotea to be recognized as one of the world’s largest inhabited, near-predator-free sanctuaries, dependent on localsupport and collaboration with mana whenua. This vision will be backed by restored marine environments, thriving forests, and well-protected, healthy waterways. Community involvement in conservation—from educational workshops to advocacy—will be the norm,helping to build an economy rooted in ecological stewardship.
50 Years Ahead: Aotea stands as a global beacon of ecological restoration—where healthy rivers, abundant native species, andregenerating maunga-to-moana ecosystems reflect a living connection to te taiao. A vibrant, ecology-based economy, underpinned bycarefully restored biodiversity, sustainable tourism, cultural richness, and community wellbeing. It will be an island where kaitiakitangathrives—managed collaboratively by iwi, local government, community trusts, and residents.
Fenella Christian
For the future my big dream would be to see people living in a natural environment with restored ecosystems that are the envy of the rest of the world and that can show people that it can be done.
Ryan Daly
I believe the preservation of our natural environment is the most important role we as residents have on Aotea. I feel we have a duty of care to protect threatened species and improve the overall health of our surroundings. I would like Aotea to aim for predator free status in the future. This takes a lot of hard work and community buy-in, but I think we are moving in this direction already and the success of some smaller eradication projects around the Huaraki Gulf has helped change some perspectives on pest control. Upscaling projects like Tū Mai Taonga not only creates excellent employment opportunities, conservation work helps foster a connection to the place you live. I see this connection as synonymous with our role as caretakers of the Motu and vital to achieving a status in the future as a pest free island that is renowned for innovation and commitment to preserving our natural environment. This recognition could go a long way towards one day establishing some form of tertiary education centre here, where students could complete studies while gaining work experience.
Izzy Fordham
My personal vision for Aotea’s natural environment is one where we live in harmony. That our people, ecology and biodiversity share a place where we can thrive and where we can reintroduce those species that we have lost over the years. An island that people want to live on and visit with mutual respect for what Aotea is. Over the years it will become an even more unique place that has undergone a transition from one that suffered from too many pests attacking our flora and fauna to one where biodiversity and people thrive. It will be a long journey however I believe that journey has begun.
GREGORY HEAP
I would like to see our island and coastline teaming with bird life, lizards, fish and shellfish and our native plants and trees healthy and well established. My experience of Aotea goes back 50 years when I experienced a sky full of kereru. It was as if they had congregated for a party in the Tryphena hills, where friends and I owned Little Goat Farm. I counted 100 kereru in 10 minutes! Back then we dodged wild pigs (still do) and goats (now gone). The staging of 10 years (feral cats gone), 20 years the seas healthy and 100% reduction in rats, and in 50 years? Well - the island is a world renown natural paradise, if not sooner!
CHRIS OLLIVIER
My long term vision would be for Aotea to have conservation status (i.e. whole island recognised as a conservation space and be pest free).
Neil Sanderson
My vision and hopes for the future of Aotea’s natural environment would include the following:
A thriving native ecosystem, both flora and fauna and land and sea. Healthy populations of endangered endemic life. Well established Kauri in the kind of forests that feel primeval. An island that is still free of many pest animal species and perhaps even free of introduced predators such as feral cats. A place that has opportunities for people to walk, see and experience the island’s natural beauty.
NIKKI WATTS
I want to see an Aotea rich in wildlife and bio diversity. I want the seas to be rich in sea life and the people able to sustain themselves and thrive. I see this work as ongoing for eternity so the 10, 20 and 50 yr plans would have the same backbone. Working towards reintroducing kokako in the 10 year plan. I support targeted areas of seashore protection. In the short term I think an island wide survey of bio diversity and land use would be helpful for future planning and providing data driven results. I see any environmental outcomes being a partnership between Mana Whenua, DOC , Residents and Bach owners.
Do you support the long-term goal of removing feral cats and rodents from Aotea as part of the Tū Mai Taonga project (and why/why not)?
Ben Assado
Yes — wholeheartedly. The removal of feral cats and rats is vital for restoring Aotea’s native biodiversity and safeguarding taonga. Tū Mai Taonga’s mana-whenua-led, collaborative approach anchored in tikanga and science exemplifies what effective, long-term conservation should look like. By supporting predator control, we lay the groundwork for reintroducing species like kōkako. Protecting, reintroducing, and building an ecology-based economy for Aotea, and also honouring our responsibility to restore the natural balance and ensuring a thriving environment for future generations.
Fenella Christian
Yes I do support the long-term goal of removing feral cars and rodents from Aotea and I see Tū Mai Taonga as being the perfect leaders of this project. They are teaching young people the methods, it is iwi lead and they have government support for the project.
Ryan Daly
Absolutely yes. The impact these species have on our vulnerable native bird populations can’t be overstated. Our actions have introduced these species and I feel we have an obligation to do what we can to protect native species. If this work can be front footed by Mana Whenua and provide meaningful local employment then all the better.
Izzy Fordham
I do support the removal of feral cats from the island. Tu Mai Taonga is a brave and ambitious project that we as an island community should be proud of. Whether we want to admit it or not we do have a feral cat problem that is decimating our bird life. Tu Mai Taonga has taken up the challenge and instead of procrastinating they are actually endeavouring to do something about it whilst offering employment in the area of conservation. I applaud this Ngati Rehua Ngatiwai ki Aotea led initiative and congratulate them on their work to date. For me, the question of rodents is a far more difficult issue to address and that would take some concerted community discussions as to how that could be achieved. It may come down to the little blighters still exist but are controlled and managed with the help of our territorial authorities.
GREGORY HEAP
Yes, I do. “Tū Mai Taonga is a Māori-led conservation project on Aotea (Great Barrier Island). It is unique in its indigenous Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea-led approach”. Their aim is to remove feral cats and rats from Aotea. Their local leadership and close knowledge of the land provides certainty that their mahi will work. There are many community groups, both structured and loosely held, that undertake this work on Aotea; all share the same goal, to see Aotea predator free.
Chris Ollivier
Yes. And I would like to see stronger messaging on the long term plan around domestic cats.
Neil Sanderson
Yes, I do support the long term goal of removing feral cats and rodents from the island. They are a crucial environmental issue for the island, both are highly destructive pests that endanger our population of birdlife, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Their removal would only have a positive impact for our island and community.
NIKKI WATTS
I support the removal of feral cats and rats as part of Tu Mai Taonga. We need to control both these species to allow the birds and forest to thrive.
What is your position on marine protection around the island - do you support increased protection measures such as rāhui, marine reserves or fisheries restrictions?
Ben Assado
I support marine protection that balances ecology with community needs. Non-local commercial fishing should be restricted, especially in the Colville Channel and within a couple of nautical miles of Aotea, while locals retain fair access for customary and recreational fishing. I am not a supporter of so-called sports-fishing (i.e. targeting big fish, just to release them), but a supporter of recreational fishing for food and general wellbeing. Anchoring bans due to caulerpa, as necessary as they were/are, have economically hurt our harbours and livelihoods — a better balance is vital. Protection tools like rāhui or reserves should be co-designed with mana whenua and our community to keep Aotea’s moana healthy and accessible for future generations.
Fenella Christian
I am concerned about the state of our marine environment. It is hard not to fish (as happened with the restrictions around Caulerpa brachypus) but unless we step back for while the fish stocks are not going to recover. The whole of the Hauraki Gulf should be protected from commercial fishing not just the inner gulf as commercial fishing is stripping our sea.
A mechanism that allows locals to have a say in any future marine protection is also important. It is those who are doing the fishing that notice the changes to stock levels. A rahui is an interesting mechanism to stop the fishing but for locals it is food and an island managed system may be a better system. The irony is that we can’t eat locally caught fish at our island restaurants.
Ryan Daly
I absolutely support any and all marine protection measures. I think declining the proposed marine reserve in 2008 was a huge miss for Aotea. I am a keen fisherman but unfortunately in my lifetime I have seen what overfishing can do. Scallops used to be abundant and now crayfish are severely threatened. Commercial fishing needs to be managed better but us recreational guys need to accept that our practice contributes to the steady decline of many target species. Gathering kaimoana is a special privilege but if we aren't willing to give up some of those privileges they could disappear altogether. On top of this, marine reserves become incredibly valuable to furthering our understanding of our marine environments on a scientific level, encouraging study and tourism, and could move us towards a change in culture that values the ocean as something to cherish and protect, not just a food source.
Izzy Fordham
I do support marine protection around Aotea. What we have experienced over recent years has been unacceptable – we have witnessed offshore vessels coming here disseminating our crayfish stocks. Our scallop beds are under threat, in some areas no longer exist. The absurd amount of fin fish that commercial, recreational and charter vessels can take on board at any given time. With guidance from Mana Whenua and our community I believe we can do something about it, enough is enough and we as an island community need to take control before our marine environment is totally wiped out.
GREGORY HEAP
I support whatever measures are required including fishing restrictions (‘moratorium’). Aotea should have been included in the protections now been established for the Hauraki Gulf in The Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan (2023). Local studies eg Titi Islands Hauora Moana Survey, are ongoing for Aotea. They show the near extinction of scallops and crayfish and a continuing decline in the fishery. I remember when a friend of mine from Roselie Bay, long lining out of Tryphena, sold fresh fish ‘directly’ into the Japanese market. They were iced and flown to Japan. The local fisher’s boats were registered and their fish were sought after in the Japan auctions. This is an example of a well managed fishery maintaining a sustainable resource.
Chris Ollivier
Yes I support and actively wish to seek rāhui, marine reserves and fisheries restrictions.
Neil Sanderson
I strongly support the protection/preservation of our marine ecosystems. It is vital that we as a community make a stand to protect our moana for the benefit of future generations.
NIKKI WATTS
I support the concept of marine parks but realise there is a lot of work to do understand how these would be enforced, local support would be required and this will need considerable consultation and agreement. I support areas and/or seasons of no take. Boats (commercial and recreational) coming over from mainland and taking large catches back to town without contributing to local economy needs to be addressed.
What does responsible pet ownership mean to you - in the context of a predator-sensitive island like Aotea?
Ben Assado
Responsible pet ownership means more than registration, desexing, microchipping, and leashing — it’s about protecting Aotea’s uniquewildlife. We must balance pet welfare with conservation by supporting owners through education, awareness, and practical solutions, ensuring pets are cared for while safeguarding our predator-sensitive environment.
Fenella Christian
Responsible pet ownership to me is not dumping animals when leaving the island. Controlling domestic cats and dogsand knowing where they are. Not thinking “my cat/dog is always at home on the couch”. There is plenty of evidence to show that domestic animals wander many kilometres looking for food and our environment here is just too fragile. Microchipping pets, bird aversion training, collars to stop wandering animals and a restriction on how many visiting pets can come here.
Ryan Daly
I am a dog owner and I grew up with family cats. I know how special our pets are. However our Motu is uniquely poised to be a real sanctuary for native birds and we can't pretend our cats aren't hunting, it's what they do. It only takes one misbehaving dog to wreak havoc on tiny bird populations, particularly nesting sea birds. I would like more engagement with pet owners, particularly around bird aversion and I would support a move to have no new domestic cats on the Motu in the future. I have family that live in a kiwi sanctuary in Northland. They would love to own cats or dogs but spotting kiwi in the backyard is so special, it makes it worth it.
Izzy Fordham
Responsible pet ownership is exactly that “responsible ownership”. I would like to see all domestic cats de-sexed and microchipped. There is already an excellent subsidy program available to help owners with the cost of doing that. Dogs should also be de-sexed and microchipped although I’m not aware of any current subsidy program to help people with that cost, perhaps that is something that could be looked into. I understand the emotional ties we have to our pets, but it is up to us as individuals to make sure we give them the best loving home we can and take the responsibility of owning them seriously. We have seen the impact of not taking pet ownership seriously and that attitude needs to change.
GREGORY HEAP
I support the registration of all cats, including the desexing, microchipping and the wearing of bells. Cats are mostly awake and hunting at night. Anecdotally, I was told by a cat breeder that if you keep your cat inside at night it will sleep and be awake during the day and less likely to catch anything. It also helps to keep them well fed.
Chris Ollivier
Ultimately I would like to see cat ownership phased out on the island and dogs not just registered but chipped as well with ownership numbers capped. All dogs would need to be bird aversion trained and visitors couldn't bring dogs unless they met those criteria.
Neil Sanderson
A responsible pet owner should have their pet spayed/neutered. A responsible pet owner should have their pet registered and their cat added to the cat register. A responsible pet owner should be informed, accountable, and willing to adapt to our predator-sensitive island.
NIKKI WATTS
Responsible pet ownership means spaying and neutering cats and dogs, controlling animals so they don't have the opportunity to predate. I stand as a responsible cat owner.
What three environmental issues are most important to you as a candidate - and what would you do about them is elected?
Ben Assado
My top three environmental priorities are eradicating feral cats and rats, restoring healthy rivers, and protecting our ngahere. I will work with mana whenua, local Trusts, scientists, and the community to advance these goals, while supporting funding bids and learning from other islands’ successes. I also support renewable energy initiatives that reduce reliance on petrol and firewood—electrical heating is becoming increasingly feasible with falling battery costs and improved energy storage.
Fenella Christian
Weeds are a big concern for me. Probably because of my own contribution to the problem with certain garden plants I have introduced. I don’t think the list of weeds is quite enough. We have rampant jasmine, montbretia, watsonia in our environment and unless we can get on top of some of these weeds it is going to be so much worse in the future. We have a good program happening already but I would like to see it extended by supporting those organisations that are doing the work.
Rat and Feral Cat eradication – we have to sort this issue, and there is a lot of work being done in this area. I would like to continue to support initiatives working in this area. I think there is also scope here to trial new methods as they comes out but on a bigger scale because we are an island.
Wilding Pines – I am aware we have a problem with wilding pines. Just drive our roads and look up to the hillsides. New ideas on how to deal with this need ongoing support i.e. Firewood stores for island people. We have to learn to be more creative in dealing with these problems.
I worked for the Great Barrier Island Environmental Trust for many years part-time, I worked for the Department ofConservation for seven years in various capacities, we manage rats around our home in Schooner Bay, we try and manage our weeds and I feel I have a good working knowledge of the issues and the trials in managing these issues. I don’t profess to know everything, but I am constantly learning new things. My problem is I am aging so I’m less and less able to do the physical work. Its time for me to be more creative with ideas of how to deal with our environmental issues. I will do my best but firstly, I have to learn how the local board works in the big scheme of things.
Ryan Daly
Achieving the long term goal of a predator free island is a top priority to me. Perhaps the biggest obstacle here is having the support of the community, pest control methods are a controversial topic. If elected I would try to engage with people and hopefully change some of the narrative around the importance of pest control and how we can go about achieving predator free status. Of course furthering the work already being done in this area is hugely important and ensuring projects like Tū Mai Taonga receive all the funding they require would be a focus for me.
Preserving our crayfish population is an immediate concern. With the closing of the inner Hauraki Gulf to crayfishing Aotea is set to be targeted even more heavily than before. Crayfish have been declared functionally extinct in the gulf and our population is one of the few remaining in any significant numbers. It is vital we protect our koura and I would support a rahui or similar action to prevent any take for the near future, or at least implement no take times during breeding seasons and a reduction in daily/weekly limits. Regardless, we need to see a greater presence on the water from MAFs to ensure any rules are actually being followed.
Biosecurity will always be a really important part of conservation on Aotea. We know how quickly introduced species can affect our delicate ecosystems. Being on the ground as part of the plague skink response and the ongoing argentine ant programme, and now seeing what damage caulerpa is doing to our coastline is really eye opening. Prevention and education is our best method but when inevitable incursions happen I think our response is too slow. When it takes years between detection and significant action these pest species have already become established making eradication difficult and ultimately much more expensive. I'm sure this is largely due to bureaucratic processes and I hope to apply pressure where I can and hopefully ensure we are better prepared to respond to threats in the future, perhaps by ensuring access now to emergency funding for biosecurity responses.
Izzy Fordham
The three environmental issues most important to me (in no set order) are:
Our biodiversity. We have lost so much and now have a battle on our hands not to lose any more of our species be they birds, bats, invertebrates, plants, frogs and fungi.
Climate Change. This impacts all our lives, and we need to adapt to those changes and become more sustainable and resilient as an island community. We need to seriously look at our habits and what changes we are prepared to make to enable us to face the many challenges and components that climate change thrusts upon us.
Waste. Not necessarily highlighted as much as it should but it’s an area that concerns us all. As an island community it’s so easy to fall into bad habits as I’ve witnessed around other Pacific islands. We’ve had excellent leadership in island-based programmes to help us change our habits and we’ve come a long way in how we handle all aspects of our waste, but we cannot afford to become complacent.
If I am fortunate to be re-elected, I would advocate for continued Local Board funding for our community groups who are engaged in pest control, replanting, waste and education to continue to do the good work they do. I would advocate to council and central government to include these issues in their plans and work programmes making sure they are aware of the complex issues an island community faces in these and other areas. Finally, I would support the continuation of councils Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) that was set up to specifically fund the protection and enhancement of the region’s natural environment – a targeted rate that Aotea has had great benefit from.
In closing, thanks for the opportunity to express my views on environmental issues, an issue that is dear to mana whenua and our community. We have a lot more work to do but we have started and complacency must not set in. Love, protect and restore is a long journey and as an island community we can do it.
GREGORY HEAP
The continuation and increased reduction of rats and feral cats until Aotea is free. If elected I would support funding applications to the Governing Body, DOC and any other funding streams available.
The continuation of the removal of wilding pines and the planting of native species to return forests to Aotea. If elected I would support funding applications to the Governing Body, DOC and any other funding streams available.
The sustainable future of our sea. I would support the efforts of the Local Board to include Aotea in the goals of The Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan (2023) and to pursue any means including a local by-law that puts our interests on a par with this Plan or addresses our interests more directly.
I would like to be part of the Local Board’s representation at a governance level, to advocate, to ensure the interests of the community are heard by the governing body and government.
There is something in the island air that affects everyone that lives here. The air is soo clean and so good for you. Then when you go to any of the beaches you can be the only person on the beach and this connects one to the vastness of the seas. And when you see the night sky, the ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’ (thank you to those very clever people who made this happen) and you gasp; and for a moment, you feel all is well.
Chris Ollivier
I don't see the environmental issues as separate in importance, and all will require effort to be supported. I will continue advocate to council and government agencies in that space for support on the issues in front of me. I am aware that the local board has limited (no) authority in that space but we are able to direct funding available to us toward environmental projects and will support them as a priority.
Neil Sanderson
Protection for our biodiversity and native ecosystems - Aotea’s unique flora and fauna are special, but they’re vulnerable to threats such as invasive species. I would be happy to advocate for predator control, restoration of native habitats, and community-led conservation projects.
Sustainability and waste reduction - Living on the island can teach us all about the importance of managing our resources well. I would continue to promote local initiatives that make sustainable living the easy choice for both residents and visitors.
Climate resilience and coastal protection - We need to be looking at our island's future and our communities ability to weather (pun intended) the effects of climate change and coastal erosion. This will have implications for both our environment and our community. I will make sure that these are considered, especially for infrastructure projects such as the maintenance and improvement of our road network.
NIKKI WATTS
I would like to see less poison used in the environment, more trap lines means more employment opportunities. Consultation with landowners and Iwi to see where environmental aspirations can meet land use aspirations such as more opportunities in the adventure tourism space. Continued support for environmental groups to protect Specific areas of significance. Zoned areas of land to allow for higher density housing as well high protection areas.
I would have a lot to learn about all the environment groups on Aotea.
I would love to spend time with them to gain a better understanding.
I love spending time in nature and on the water. I want to leave Aotea a better place for future generations.
As a beekeeper, having a thriving, Natural Environment is vital to my business. On our own lands we have never used toxic sprays or poisons.