Our Steering Group, chaired by Richard Hursthouse, helps to drive the Restore Hibiscus & Bays initiative, providing expert guidance, feedback and advice to our staff team. We are fortunate to have on our Steering Group highly experienced representatives from Friends of Okura Bush, the Forest and Bird Pest Free Hibiscus Coast project, Centennial Park Bush Society, Friends of Long Bay, Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Incorporated, Pest Free Okura, the East Coast Bays Community Project, Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation. They meet monthly and contribute an immense number of hours to the initiative.

Our backbone staff team (below) is currently funded partly through a grant from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and partly through the Auckland Council Community Coordination and Facilitation grant.

Deborah Colson,  Advisor – Ecological Restoration, Communications & Community Engagement has been working in ecological restoration since 2019 in a variety of roles including with Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project, Conservation Volunteers, Wildlands and Auckland Council. She is absolutely passionate about restoration,  communications and community engagement. Previously, Deborah was a practising nutritionist and tertiary education teacher in London, before moving back to her native Aotearoa where she lives on the spectacular Hibiscus Coast. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the bush, hiking and gardening.

You can contact Deborah at deborah@restorehb.org.nz

Julia Clavel, Restoration Advisor (Schools and Community Training), is an Auckland Geography graduate with a strong passion for protecting and enhancing our natural environment by engaging with the wider community. Originally from Germany, she has lived in Red Beach for 8 years with her family of four. Julia’s hobbies include international cuisine, hiking, yoga, travelling, weeding & conservation events such as beach clean ups and tree planting, Escape Room & strategic board games.

You can contact Julia at julia@restorehb.org.nz

Jocelyn Sanders, Catchment Community Activator (Taiaotea-Rothesay Bay Catchment Project) has lived with her husband and family in Rothesay Bay for many years.  She is a relief teacher at an enviro-school, and is the secretary of the North Shore Branch of Forest and Bird Protection Society, as well as secretary of her local Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association.  Jocelyn’s interests include walking (especially in our bush and beach areas), gardening and kayaking.

You can contact Jocelyn at jocelyn@restorehb.org.nz

Simon van den Berg, Catchment Community Activator (Waiwera Catchment Project) has a BSc in Biological Science and Marine Science and is currently working towards an MSc in Marine Science at the University of Auckland. He has been a volunteer lifeguard for 5 years and enjoys spending his free time surfing or just enjoying the beach.

You can contact Simon at simon@restorehb.org.nz