Associates

Gina is involved with facilitation and leadership for a wide range of environmental and cultural projects around her home in Kaikoura in the South Island.

Gina has worked with Phoenix Director Peter Lawless since 2006, beginning with a national pilot project on community-led education planning for the Ministry of Education. She has been involved with Te Korowai o te Tai ō Marokura since its inception ten years ago, and last year became project manager as well as administrator. She has led programmes for Irrigation New Zealand, training farmers and professionals on how to work in a Ngai Tahu cultural context.

Gina inherited a passion and a love for the whenua and moana from her parents, grandparents and ancestors. She is an enthusiastic conservationist and is involved in numerous groups and projects. Environmental work includes Secretary and Manager of Te Korowai, chairing the Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board, and being on the Kaikōura Zone Committee. She is highly effective with groups of stakeholders who need to work collaboratively to develop pragmatic strategies and solutions that integrate cultural, environmental and economic interests.

Gina is a Director of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, a past Director on Te Rūnanga o Kaikoura Ltd (Charitable Company), a member of the Nature Heritage Fund, on Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group, and represents Ngāi Tahu on the Kaikōura Marine Guardians. Gina is a certified RMA Commissioner and has been a decision maker on several hearings.

Gina represents Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on many groups and brings Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Maori to these forums. These include Te Paiherenga, Tuia Working Group for Environment Canterbury, the Molesworth Steering Committee, and the Tītī /Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust. She moves with ease and comfort with whanau, Ngāi Tahu, iwi, government and other authorities and the wider community.

Gina holds the qualification Bachelor of Applied Management (Maori Organisational Leadership) which she completed with Distinction in 2016.