To do great things we need great people, if you can help we would love to hear from you. We need all kind of talent to help things move along - from inception to when we are fully up and running. Drop us a message today.
Paul Southworth is a co-owner of local website design and development company Turboweb based at 381 Kaikorai Valley Road. His involvement with technology was sealed as soon as he saw how the internet and sharing of information could change the world for the better.
A musician and a keen wanna-be gardener, Paul started collecting like minded people to help with Aroha Kaikorai Valley. He firmly believes bringing technology, business skills and people together can create powerful change.
Jon Thom is the co-owner of The Print Room and a local artist. For the past 10 or so years, Jon has exhibited his charcoal portraits & photographs in galleries in Otago, his work is held in public and private collections throughout New Zealand. As well as completing work for galleries Jon has created a number of murals throughout the region.
Jon's other passion is screen printing, his business The Print Room which he runs with Chris Brun in their Kaikorai Valley Road factory specialising in printing with environmentally friendly water-based inks onto garments that have been created in an ethical & sustainable way. The Print Room's next mission in 2022 is to build NZ's first 'green' screen printing factory which will largely operate on solar power.
Simon McMillan has been involved for over 20 years in environmental education in and around the Kaikorai Catchment. He spent the last 24 years as a teacher and HOD Science at Kaikorai Valley College. In 2004, Simon set up a real time water quality monitoring site with NIWA and the Kaikorai Stream website with the help of Otago Polytechnic students. A trained geologist, his specialty area is the local sedimentary rocks of the Dunedin area.
In 2008, Simon led the World Environment Day celebrations in the catchment. He emphasizes win-win partnership projects for mutual benefit with different stakeholders: such as riparian planting with Scott Technology 2010-2012, and the Kaikorai Catchment Hui in 2019 with the Otago Regional Council.
Currently, Simon manages Kaikorai Valley College’s Urban Farm. That project aims to challenge mindsets about sustainable best practice in our urban and rural spaces. He shares AKV’s vision and is thrilled to support its ongoing mission.
Bob started with Turboweb in 2008, he owns the business with Paul and specialises in the technical side of the business.
Bob is working hard to save the environment, one drive at a time, with his electric vehicle. He’s a self-confessed geek, programming and playing computer games in his spare time. He’s been doing Taekwondo since 2012 and in 2019, was awarded his black belt. Bob enjoys terribly good craft beer, often with Paul, and enjoys playing board games and watching sci-fi with his wife and four children.
Enlisted originally as the Secretary and Treasurer, Sarah wanted to get even more involved with AKV because the vision aligns so strongly with her values.
Operations Manager at Turboweb, Sarah has been working with Paul and Bob since 2017 and looks forward to being the organiser behind this non-profit organisation!
Lets go!
Rebecca provides a mentor and advisory role to the team.
Rebecca is involved in several community-led initiatives that are focused on improving the environment and strengthening communities. She chairs the Fiordland Marine Guardians, who are responsible for ensuring the Fiordland Marine Area is maintained or improved for future generations to use and enjoy. In Dunedin she leads CHiRP (the Chain Hills Restoration Project) in her local neighbourhood and has recently established Wingatui Nurseries after seeing an unmet demand for native plants in local restoration projects.
Rebecca is a marine scientist and sits on the governance board of the Centre for Research Excellence "Coastal People, Southern Skies". She also continues to dabble in marine research through the University of Otago. Rebecca is totally swept up in the momentum of community-led restoration projects. The bird life is great, but really it's the awesome people that are drawn to such projects that keeps her cup full.
Beth Wishart is our administrator for Aroha Kaikorai Valley. She brings a lot of volunteering experience and knowledge to the role. She has a passion for native wildlife and is eager to see the valley's progress. Beth is working 6 hours per week and is looking forward to meeting everyone in the AKV community.
Marika started volunteering with Aroha Kaikorai Valley at the beginning of 2024, joining the admin team for two hours a week, where she helps organise trap installations between our volunteers and backyard trap hosts. Marika loves being part of the Aroha Kaikorai Valley community and seeing the numbers of predators caught going up on the whiteboard. In her spare time she enjoys printmaking, learning instruments, sewing, and getting outside in the sun.
Craig came on board with AKV mid-2024 and has been volunteering for three mornings a week in the admin team. Craig is a former DOC community ranger and has worked at Orokonui ecosanctuary, building tracks, trapping and working with volunteers.
Marty spent 6 months employed with AKV as a field worker and continues to be heavily involved as a volunteer. He's gone from strength to strength building trap boxes, running around traplines and helping community members manage their traps. We're so grateful for all his hard work and hope the native wildlife is too!
Renee has been installing predator traps in Kaikorai Valley back yards since January 2024. She’s busy juggling a professional job, and other commitments, but volunteers her time to give back to the community.
Lily has been volunteering with AKV since January 2024, installing predator traps in back yards. She’s also working a busy full-time job but enjoys volunteering in the weekend to help the local environment. Lily has loved meeting the Kaikorai Valley community and enabling others to be look after their patch.
