NZ Nature Fund

Hon Denis Marshall QSO, was founding Chairman of New Zealand National Parks & Conservation Foundation in 2001. He is a Nuffield Farming Scholar and a former Government Minister, with portfolios including Conservation and Lands. Denis was Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association based in London and has consulted on democracy programmes with the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank Institute. He lives near Queenstown where he is proprietor of Hawkshead Wines.

Neil Mulholland is based in Marlborough and brings extensive private sector fundraising, funds management, and non-profit governance experience will be invaluable expanding the NZNF’s fundraising reach and capacity, and programmatic impact. Neil is the former President & CEO of Washington, DC (USA) National Park Foundation. His career encompasses successful tenures with private / public / non-profit organizations. Neil is a graduate of Iowa State University and has completed Executive Education studies at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Prue, Lady Wallis, together with her late husband Sir Tim Wallis and her entrepreneurial family, have a long and productive involvement in farming, aviation and high-end tourism. Prue is an active supporter of trusts and charities for the environment, the arts, medical research and local groups.

Lou has an incredible career in conservation, including time as the Director General of the Department of Conservation, and Chief Executive of Antarctica New Zealand, alongside decades of leadership in significant environmental roles from Fiordland to the Subantartic Islands. With 35 years’ experience in governance, leadership, general management gained in the Public Service and Crown Entities Lou also has extensive experience in working with iwi, whānau and hapū.

Nicky is the Chief Executive of Kinross Winery in Queenstown. She has extensive experience in marketing, strategy and digital optimisation. She has two children and loves spending as much time as she can in the outdoors hiking, skiing, biking and trail running. She is a strong advocate for conservation and is keen to protect our native taonga for generations to come.

Graeme was very recently the Chief Assurance Officer at the Department of Conservation, former Operations General Manager at Antarctica New Zealand and former officer of the Government of The Ross Dependency. He is from a family of renowned explorers and mountaineers and has a strong connection and deep care for the natural environment.

Johanna Coughlan brings two decades of strategic communications and governance expertise to the New Zealand Nature Fund board. Former Wellington City Councillor and Economic portfolio chair, she founded Silvereye Communications after serving as Press Secretary during New Zealand’s APEC leadership and Bougainville Peace Process. Her board experience spans Life Education Trust (Life Member), Positively Wellington Tourism, NZ Amateur Sports Association, and Dairy NZ Ltd. A Westpac Women in Business and Women of Influence Award finalist, Joanne leverages extensive networks across business, government, and charitable sectors to advance conservation partnerships that protect Aotearoa’s biodiversity while strengthening communities.

Jonathan is a highly experienced and respected actuary with a deep understanding of the financial industry. With over 40 years of experience in actuarial and superannuation consulting, he has established himself as a leading expert in his field. In 1995, Jonathan founded EriksensGlobal, and as its Managing Director, he provides his clients with unparalleled advice and guidance on a range of investment matters. His expertise encompasses governance, transfers to master trusts, preparing SIPOs, asset allocation, platform selection, investment manager selection, and performance monitoring. Jonathan's wealth of experience, combined with his commitment to delivering results, has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the Australasian business, Māori and charity communities.

Katherine Corich brings three decades of conservation commitment and international governance expertise to the New Zealand Nature Fund board. Founder and Chair of international consultancy Sysdoc, she has supported the Fund since its parliamentary launch in the 1990s, when her company built its first website. Her governance portfolio spans Deputy Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, trustee of Pure Advantage New Zealand, and advisory roles with charities from Brazil to Britain. A trained commercial pilot who built Sysdoc on aviation principles of discipline and risk management, Katherine applies the same strategic rigor to conservation; turning ambitious biodiversity goals into scalable, repeatable successes. Inducted into New Zealand’s Hi-Tech Hall of Fame and named UK New Zealander of the Year 2015, she champions performance-based philanthropy that delivers measurable environmental outcomes while engaging the ethical entrepreneurial community in protecting Aotearoa’s natural heritage.

Sam Neill is an actor with many leading roles in film and television in New Zealand and overseas, and an environmentalist. He is also proprietor of Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago.

Rob McCallum, a professional expedition leader and record-breaking explorer has recently joined the NZ Nature Fund as an ambassador. His extensive expedition leadership spans every continent and every ocean; he is the deepest-diving New Zealander, having reached the Challenger Deep at 10,925m (35,845ft). Rob's profound connection to wild spaces and his expertise in remote, pristine environments is combined with 23 years as a conservation manager for both the Department of Conservation and the UN Development Programme. This uniquely positions him to advocate for the conservation efforts championed by the NZ Nature Fund, particularly in the Sub-Antarctic Islands.

Jules is a professional civil engineer who studied at University of Canterbury and then worked as a consultant in New Zealand and UK before joining Fulton Hogan in 1993. Jules has been immersed in Fulton Hogan ever since, from project management to regional and general management and for the last 9 years in executive leadership. Jules is now the Group Executive for Culture with responsibility for the leading the culture programmes and being the cultural champion for the company. Jules has been an integral part of impactful partnership between Fulton Hogan, NZNPCF and DOC to save the Takahē. This programme continues to grow and gain traction across multiple regions in New Zealand. A highlight has been the release of 30 Takahe in to the Kahurangi National Park in 2018, the first time in over a century since the Takahe have lived in this area. Jules joined as a trustee in December 2019.

Mark Christensen is an expert in resource management and biodiversity law. Mark is a recent member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and Chair of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. He is actively involved in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the New Zealand Sustainable Business Council.

Greg was a foundation staff member when the Department of Conservation was formed in 1987. Previously he served with the NZ Forest Service and National Parks & Reserves in the Department of Lands and Survey. During 32 years with DOC Greg was based in various field locations from the Catlins, Rakiura/Stewart Island, Southland including managing the NZ Sub-Antarctic Islands, Queenstown and Te Anau/Fiordland National Park. He brings a lifetime of knowledge and achievements in conservation, including the creation of National Parks, Marine Reserves, major pest eradication projects, and visitor management, to our team.

John Ombler, QSO, has extensive experience in public sector management. He has more than 30 years experience in conservation management in New Zealand, in operational, policy, and research and development roles. He is currently involved in a variety of governance, contract and voluntary work.

Richard Riddell is an Executive Director and Principal of NZAM (New Zealand Assets Management) and has more than 30 years experience in the banking and investment management industries. Richard hails from a farming family. He is a director of a number of private companies and trustee of family and charitable trusts.

For more than 20 years Tane Davis has contributed his services to conservation efforts and Māori interests throughout New Zealand. Representing Ngai Tahu, working in partnership with Nga Iwi, and the Treaty Partner to better the whenua. Tane Davis has demonstrated leadership and a future focus for his iwi Ngāi Tahu and was instrumental in establishing the management plan for Whenua Hou – island near Rakiura/Stewart Island that is home to the largest population of the critically endangered kākāpō in Aotearoa

Sarah comes from a background in non-for-profit governance, project marketing and brand development and works with the Board of Trustees to support the efficient and effective governance and operation of the Trust through the provision of marketing and business planning and stakeholder relationships communications. For the past 25 years Sarah has worked passionately in the Queenstown Lakes region and has a proven track record in fulfilling vision through a strong commercial and strategic leadership. Along with this Sarah can be found part-time guiding clients in the mountains, is a qualified ski patroller and part-time musician.

Poppie grew up among the mountains and has always had a deep love for the magic of the wilderness. After 12 years as a secondary English teacher, she completed her masters and PhD in creative writing and now works as a professional writer and ghostwriter.  For the NZNF, Poppie focusses on a combination of long-form content and is the mastermind behind our social media presence.  Above all, she is passionate about using the art of storytelling to connect the passionate individuals who dream big with ways to act upon their vision to make it happen. 

Hilary works tirelessly to bring passionate people together for the greater good; building bridges and sharing information between conservation groups, landowners, government organisations, and supporters across Aotearoa. With over 20 years in conservation, she brings expertise in predator control, wildlife monitoring, and securing funding for critical projects. A certified Kiwi Handler with a knack for cultivating authentic connection, Hilary spent 16 years running multi-day guided hiking tours in New Zealand's backcountry before dedicating herself fully to protecting our native species. Whether she's negotiating access to private forests or rallying volunteers for dawn bird counts, her warmth and determination inspire others to join the fight for our precious wildlife. She believes conservation happens when communities unite.