Oliver's upbringing in Dunedin instilled in him a love for the outdoors. Before going to university, he gained qualifications in Outdoor Adventure Management and spent five summers kayak guiding and exploring in Fiordland National Park.

Fuelled by his passion for the environment, Oliver studied geography and environmental management at the University of Otago. This academic background laid the groundwork for his commitment to protecting and enhancing te taiao (the environment) through empowering local communities.

After moving to Wānaka, Oliver became involved in community environmental projects working at WAI Wānaka. As a Project Manager, Community Activator and later the Urban Facilitator for WAI Wānaka, he led projects such as the Wānaka Water Project and the Urban Catchments Project, taking a whole community approach and collaborating with local community groups, farmers, urban residents, and government agencies to preserve freshwater environments in the Upper Clutha area through community-led action.

Outside of work, Oliver enjoys biking, kayaking, and exploring in the mountains. His dedication to environmental conservation through community-led change guides his advocacy for the protection and enhancement of te taiao.

Jaylene grew up on Vancouver Island, located on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Driven by her passion for conservation and being outdoors, Jaylene pursued a technical diploma in Resource Management at Vancouver Island University, followed by a Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Protection. Her studies focused on freshwater ecology, fisheries management, wildlife biology and environmental law.

Whilst still living in Canada, Jaylene worked with the Nature Trust of British Columbia on their Vancouver Island field team. In this role she completed vegetation transects, monitored local estuaries, and assisted with research on western painted turtle populations. She later moved to Golden (Canada) where she worked with Wildsight as an invasive plant coordinator.

Jaylene travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand in January 2020, for what was meant to be a short backpacking adventure. 5 years later, she is excited and grateful to call Wānaka home.

From 2021 to January 2025, Jaylene worked with community organisation WAI Wānaka. She first began with WAI on their Jobs for Nature field team, working on-farm completing activities such as native planting, predator control and rabbit fencing. In 2022, she began working as an educator and outreach specialist, connecting local communities to the importance of local lakes, rivers and wetlands. In 2023, when WAI’s Jobs for Nature project came to a close, she took on the role of communications lead, juggling this position part-time alongside her education and outreach mahi. As communications lead, she utilised her creativity to craft engaging content, create interactive signage and dive into story telling. 

With over six years of experience working with non-profit organisations, Jaylene has experience in a variety of roles. Her favourite tasks include biodiversity and freshwater monitoring, science communications and education in schools.

In her spare time, Jaylene enjoys bird watching, painting and graphic design, snowboarding and hiking.

Becky grew up in Nelson, tramping a lot with her family and quickly acquired a love for the environment. With friends and family living on farms, she equally enjoyed her time in the agricultural space. Taking Ag Hort in high school, she started a Junior Young Farmers Club; just the first step in bringing these two worlds together.

And while Becky’s artistic talent almost had her attending Massey’s Fine Art School, an epiphany following her gap year in Canada (and a quick google of environmental science), had her quickly changing to conservation and ecology at Lincoln University the very next day.

Becky completed a Master of Conservation and Ecology over the next five years, and a thesis on the threatened Robust Grasshopper (Brachaspis robustus) which are clumsy creatures, built to look like the rocks from the braided riverbeds they inhabit. She also worked as an Animal Behaviour Technician for Zero Invasive Predators while studying, running behavioural trials on mammalian predators.

Following university, Becky secured a position as an ecologist for a pilot project with the NZ Landcare Trust; Farming with Native Biodiversity. Over the next couple of years, she worked with 40 case study farms creating Biodiversity Management plans for them.

Becky brings a wealth of skills to her role as a Catchment Advisor, including biodiversity farm planning which she enjoys, as it brings both her loves – the environment and farming – together.

To satisfy her thirst for adventure on land and sea, you can catch Becky mountain biking, skiing or trying her hand at surfing.

Max grew up on a family sheep and beef farm in Central Otago. Following his school years in Dunedin, Max studied Agricultural Management and Rural Valuation at Lincoln University. Whilst completing his university studies, Max spent time working across several different farm systems around the South Island.

Following his graduation, Max spent further time working on-farm in Otago & Canterbury before departing on a two-year Overseas Experience. Max’s OE was largely spent working on farms throughout the UK and Ireland followed by a short stint working in London. During this time, Max also took the opportunity to experience travel throughout Europe.

During the COVID pandemic, Max returned to New Zealand to work on the family farm before joining the Resource Consent Team at Otago Regional Council. Max has since joined the ORC Catchment Advisor Team where his regulatory background and practical farming experience have proven valuable in promoting sustainable land management practices and helping achieve positive outcomes for communities throughout Otago.

Outside of work, Max enjoys spending time hunting, fishing, and supporting local rugby.

Jack grew up just out of Invercargill and has accomplished a lot in his young working career. While attending the University of Otago studying Ecology and Marine Science, Jack also worked with a consultancy group, Aukaha, helping with environmental work and consents.

Jack then spent two years helping to run a freshwater crayfish farm owned by a local forestry company, with duties including contract management, stream sampling, mitigation work and compliance.

While Jack finished his Masters in Ecology, he worked as a wool classer at PGG Wrightson and is no stranger to the farming sector.

He now brings this experience, a background in forestry and farming, and his relationship with his local rūnaka, Puketeraki, to his new role as Catchment Advisor for the Taieri at ORC.

Jack enjoys anything to do with the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and tramping.

From a young age, Janice was fascinated by freshwater invertebrates and how they and other species interacted with each other in freshwater and coastal areas. Following high school, Janice, originally from Taiwan, moved to New Zealand to complete a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Marine Science at the University of Otago; its zoology programme rated highly against other universities around the world.

Janice has always enjoyed the field of science; collecting data, observing, being outside and getting hands on with nature. Before graduating, she held a position at the Royal Albatross Centre on the Otago Peninsula as a seasonal guide. She also organised community engagement events, school visits and educational programmes on environmental issues and ran events with the New Zealand International Science Festival, Enviroschools and Sustainable Coastlines.

Through these community events, Janice found a passion for meeting and engaging with people over a love of wildlife, science and environmental issues and following her five years with the Albatross Centre, she returned to Otago Uni to complete a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management.

Wondering how decisions were made at a government and local council level regarding rules and regulations, Janice took a job at Environment Canterbury as a summer advocate for freshwater biosecurity. This involved engaging boaties and other water users on how to prevent the spread of freshwater pests.

Once summer was over, Janice was on the hunt for her next adventure in freshwater science and now works alongside a team of catchment advisors at Otago Regional Council. When not engaging with farmers, growers, and members of industry for a healthier tomorrow, she’s surfing at Warrington, tramping the Silver Peaks, or curled up with a good book.