Claire has over 8 years experience coordinating and managing people. She brings lots of enthusiasm to Papa Taiao, returning to work after raising her young family.

Sometimes, you may see her on an online meeting with a lamb on her knee, as her real passion lies in establishing a small permaculture farm where she grows almost 100% of her whanau’s kai. Her love for biodiversity and contributing to the health of ecosystems has meant overseeing the planting of over 4000 native plants in tandem with her food growing.

Kirsty has a bit of a different background to many of the Papa Taiao crew. She has years of experience in the corporate and start up world. She has turned her attention to supporting the coordination of Papa Taiao in Te Tai Tokerau using her skills and passion for mental health and the natural world, especially the moana, to provide awesome opportunities for our ākonga. She is a PADI Mermaid Instructor, avid Freediver and Spearfisher, and loves to cook after starring on MasterChef New Zealand. 

Born and raised in the picturesque Bay of Islands, Callum has formed an intimate relationship with the environment. Callum's background is in guiding adventure tourism. He is an avid surfer and this year he is training to lead the Māwhra Papa Taiao Conservation and Earthcare courses with his passionate and empathetic nature.

Ko Tainui te waka

Ko Waikato te awa

He uri au o Ngāti Wairere, Ko Ngāti Maniapoto, Ko Ngāti Raukawa, Ko Ngā Puhi hoki

I whānau mai au i raro ia Pukemokemoke te maunga

Ko Tauhei tōku marae

Ko Maramatutahi te wharenui

I tupu ake au ki te whenua o Mōrenawhira

Nō Titahi bay au e noho ana

Ko Wairere Pene tōku ingoa

Rosa is gardener, educator, and kai sovereignty networker, based in Otaki on the Kapiti coast. Rosa discovered the joy of gardening through volunteering on organic growing projects around the motu, and has found growing and sharing kai an effective means to connect with people and place in Aotearoa, and around the world. 

Joelene Busby-Cole is obsessed with all things Waka and has been active in the field of Waka Kaupapa since childhood, gaining knowledge passed down from her great grand uncle Sir Hector Busby KNZM MBE, (also known as Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Puhipi ) a Māori navigator and traditional waka builder in New Zealand and a leading figure in the revival of traditional Polynesian navigation and ocean voyaging using wayfinding techniques.

Rachel moved to Hokitika a few years ago after working as a secondary school teacher in Tāmaki Makaurau for several years. She was a volunteer on Tiritiri Matangi island which inspired her to pursue a career in environmental education. She has most recently worked in advocacy and engagement for the Department of Conservation, collaborating with local schools and the community to learn about, and protect, the beautiful Tai Poutini.

Sophia is fueled by a deep commitment to marine conservation. She believes in the transformative power of education and exploration to inspire positive change. From teaching the art of diving to capturing the ocean's stories through her lens, She is on a mission to raise awareness about marine ecosystems and drive meaningful conservation efforts.

Brian has a history in the corporate world. After living and working an international lifestyle, he settled in Aotearoa where he is building deep connections with the neighboring forest, local community and te ao Māori.

His love of Wellington comes from a love of wind. He is a kiteboarding addict and in 2001 was one of four people on the water kiteboarding and was the first with a friend to complete a return crossing of the Cook Strait / Te Moana o Raukawa by kite and on a hydrofoil in 2021. He runs a business called White Cloud, the only dedicated kite and winging shop in Pōneke.

John’s passion for bees is infectious. Ākonga working with him, can’t help but get sucked into the mesmerizing depth of their busy hive world. He is Wellington City Council’s bee go-to man and is called on regularly to support people with swarms in their walls and roofs. He not only teaches Papa Taiao ākonga, he also trains hobbyists via his role in The Wellington Beekeeping Association. He has been instrumental in setting up the Club’s own apiary site, hives at Zealandia and Wellington Zoo and has assisted Wellington City Council in drafting their guidelines for beekeeping on public land.