The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust is the brainchild of Neill and Barbara Simpson. Their hard work, over 15 years on Pigeon and Pig Islands restored once bare and weedy islands into a haven for native birds. In 2013, inspired by this success, Neill and Barbara recruited support from several funding agencies, and founded the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust.
Our Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the overall strategic and financial management of the Trust.
Neill Simpson: Founder
Neill is a botanist/ecologist and acknowledged expert on native plants and the effects of exotic pests on their ecosystem. Neill has held many roles with DOC throughout New Zealand and, since retiring, consults privately on native planting.
Neill was awarded the Queens Service Medal for services to conservation and in 2015 his work, with Barbara, was recognised when they were joint winners of the Loder Cup.
Neill’s vision is for the Whakatipu area, or large parts of it, to be returned to its native cover providing a habitat for native birds. With Barbara he would like to see natives replacing exotics and a community that prioritises planting natives before exotics on their own land. He has created his own roadside native garden along Peninsula Rd to show off native plants. In his spare time he enjoys planting, reading, playing classical piano (once his hands have been washed) and occasional skiing.
Barbara Simpson (Founder)
Barb is a retired teacher who is both passionate and knowledgeable about NZ botany. She has introduced thousands of children to our natural world through successful school and community volunteer programmes. Her work in conservation was recognised when she and Neill were awarded the Loder Cup.
Barb has also supported the Whakatipu High School Branches Camp for over 35 years as the “Queen of Camp Cuisine” and recently established wetland planting as a camp activity. She has formed lifelong bonds with many of these students, some of whom have in turn joined her on native reforestation planting missions.
Barb works closely with both the Nursery and Education sub-committees within the trust. At home, her property is full of native plants and birds, and sits alongside an impressive vegetable garden.
Jill Hodgson (Chair)
Jill is a teacher and has been involved with environmental education and sustainability for over 20 years. She has a strong belief in teaching children about respecting the environment in all its forms. She is currently working with Shotover Primary, restoring the wetlands near the Shotover/Kawarau river confluence, increasing the number of natives within the school, teaching the pupils how to grow native plants from seed, and propagate from plants that are flourishing in the wetlands. Jill works closely with the Education sub-committee within the trust.
Jill comes from a strong gardening family and is enjoying learning more about the plants from this region and how to bring them into her own garden.
You can contact Jill at chair@wrtqt.org.nz.
Kat Durman
Blair Devlin
An interest in sustainable development led Blair to study town planning at Otago University and he is now a local planning consultant. He has worked across private practice, local government and central government, in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Blair drives the Advocacy strand of the trust’s strategic plan and has also been involved with the Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Group.
He has a young family, is interested in environmental issues generally, and would love to see more native plants and birds in the Whakatipu Basin. Blair also likes watching and occasionally playing football.
Guy Saxton: Treasurer
You can contact Guy at finance@wrtqt.org.nz
Emma Wilson: Minutes Secretary
You can contact Emma at secretary@wrtqt.org.nz
Our Staff
The Trust has three part time staff, who oversee the day to day operations and co-ordinate volunteer workgroups.
Sararose Brown: Operations Manager
You can contact Sararose at: volunteer@wrtqt.org.nz.
Catherine Robb: Nursery Volunteer Coordinator
Catherine joined our Community Nursery in 2022 as our Volunteer Coordinator. She is a qualified Homeopath with in depth knowledge of plants being used as medicine.
Catherine grew up playing and walking in the native bush of the North Island. She is passionate about nature and enjoys skiing, tramping and horse riding. She has a keen interest in the native plants that grow in our unique environment, and enjoys being a part of our vision of restoring our biodiversity and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
You can contact Catherine at: nursery@wrtqt.org.nz.
