Paul Whitfield
Operations Manager
Paul is originally from England but spent some of his teenage years in Auckland, briefly attending what is now Western Springs College. After careers in chemical engineering, writing travel guidebooks and outdoor education, Paul got swept up in the Predator Free movement. Experience trapping in his local park, Eric Armishaw Reserve, and setting up Pest Free Pt Chevalier led to joining with other local biodiversity-focused groups to form Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao.
m: +64 21 150 8284
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Rachel Fanshawe
Development Manager
A Morningsider and formerly a Trustee, Rachel is our Development Manager. She is inspired by the vision of a predator-free Aotearoa and the power and passion of local communities to restore and protect our native environment. In her role, Rachel focuses on planning, finances and funding, and building partnerships to support Urban Ark’s mission.
m: +64 21 0232 0648
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Phil Simpson
Ecological Restoration Advisor
Phil hails from Te Whanganui ā Tara (Wellington). He studied botany and zoology at Victoria University and completed post-grad studies in Environmental Science at AUT, where he undertook a final project on the ecology of Auckland’s endangered lava ‘rock forest’. He is passionate about protecting and restoring patches of native habitat in our urban environment and works closely with the community conservation groups in our network to achieve this. As part of his role at Urban Ark he also runs the Maungawhau Ecological Halo project.
m: +64 21 509 292
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Nikita Jones
Community Engagement Facilitator
Nikita is from West Auckland and loves everything conservation. She studied Applied Conservation and Environmental Science at AUT and has found that kōrero with passionate conservationists and tamariki always leave her feeling inspired. Nikita’s diverse work history includes monitoring biosecurity in plant nurseries, doing weed and pest animal management and helping restore the kelp forests in Leigh, so she brings a wide range of skills to our team. You can count on her to have scoped out interesting dive sites, new invasive nasties, or any changes to our Regional Pest Management Plan.
m: +64 21 072 4553
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Kiri Huddleston
Community Engagement Facilitator and Kaimanaaki
Kiri originally hails from the UK, she is self-confessed nature nerd – it’s her happy place! Having studied environmental science and sustainability she began working with community to help people reduce waste and create positive change in their areas. Since emigrating to Aotearoa 6 years ago she has continued to combine her passions of working with people and protecting papatūanuku through working on community restoration projects across Tāmaki Makaurau. Kiri loves the kaupapa of Urban Ark - Manawa Taiao and is happy to be a part of our mahi.
m: +64 28 434 5069
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Damien Hannah
Lower Waitītiko Coordinator
Damien, originally from Rotorua, is a long-time resident of Point Chevalier. After working in the health sector for many years he now focuses on his passion for ecological restoration of the lower Waitītiko / Meola Creek. He enjoys working with local organisations and residents to enhance the health of the awa. His Urban Ark work includes promoting flood resilience in at-risk communities, working with STEPS and Friends of Oakley Creek to highlight how improving the native biodiversity of our streams and catchments can mitigate the impacts of climate change. He is a keen tramper.
m: +64 21 280 5872
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Chris Judd
Educator
After 20 years in the classroom, Chris decided to specialise in sustainability and environmental education and started working for the [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]. Following that up with Auckland Council LTE Learning Through Experience programmes in regional parks, including Arataki and Long Bay. He has recently been working in Education for Urban Ark, and the Rotoroa Island Trust as well as tour guiding visitors around interesting New Zealand locations. His kaupapa is that connecting people especially students, with te taiao is connecting them with the mauri of life.
Cécile Baranx
Educator
Born and raised in France, Cécile is passionate about education and deeply committed to conservation. A mother of two, she runs a nature school where children learn through meaningful connections with the natural world. Her work is driven by a love for the outdoors and a desire to inspire others to care for the environment. Through hands-on learning and environmental awareness, she empowers young minds to explore, respect, and protect nature in their everyday lives.
Lekshmi Subhash
Community Flood Resilience
Lekshmi, originally from the southern peninsula of India, comes from a Civil Engineering background and recently completed her Master’s in Construction Management at the University of Auckland. Growing up in a coastal city shaped her strong connection to nature and sparked an early interest in sustainability and climate-related challenges, particularly their practical implications for communities. She is a people-centred individual who enjoys connecting with others and fostering meaningful engagement through collaboration. Her interest in sustainability is closely linked to her engineering background, with a focus on applying knowledge in ways that create meaningful, real-world impact. Lekshmi is actively engaged in environmental sustainability and flood resilience initiatives across Tāmaki Makaurau. She is passionate about supporting community-focused work that benefits both people and the environment and is pleased to be part of this cohort.
Sarah Kapuhealani Bishop
Kaimanaaki
Originally from California, USA with ancestral connections to Hawaʻii, Sarah moved to Aotearoa in 2015 and has called Kingsland home since 2017. After 10 years in museums, she pursued her love for the environment, completing an MSc in Environmental Science at AUT and volunteering in predator control, ecological restoration, and freshwater monitoring initiatives. She is passionate about the intersections between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western Science and connecting people with te Taiao. Sarah joins Urban Ark as a Kaimanaaki in partnership with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, coordinating environmental volunteer efforts on and around the Maunga of Tāmaki Makaurau.
m: +64 22 043 4620
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