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.
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, 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!
Barb has more than 20 years' leadership experience across health, community, and social services sectors. As Chief Executive of Corstorphine Baptist Community Trust, she leads services supporting people affected by mental health and disability.
With extensive governance experience across community organisations, Barb is passionate about strengthening communities through collaboration, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. As a trustee, she is committed to supporting local conservation initiatives that protect and restore native biodiversity for future generations.
Outside of work, Barb enjoys cycling, photography, and refereeing football. She is a volunteer trapper with AKV and always in search of the elusive possum!
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.
Josh has been part of Aroha Kaikorai Valley since the very beginning, bringing a passion for both technology and the environment to everything he does. Currently studying Information Technology at Otago Polytechnic, he’s combining his skills and interests to lead a community-driven air quality monitoring project in the Kaikorai Valley.
The project involves installing a network of air quality monitors throughout the valley to monitor air quality in real-time. Josh is committed to making this data open and accessible, helping raise awareness about local air conditions and supporting education and community-led action.
With a sharp mind for tech, a strong work ethic, and a big heart for his community, Josh brings quiet energy, curiosity, and good vibes to the kaupapa.
Anja works as part of the admin team organising trap installs and other activities. Anja began working at AKV in January 2025 and enjoys being part of organisiation helping to encourage native wildlife thrive in Kaikorai Valley.
Renee manages the AKV shed which contains all our gear for trapping and planting. She keeps everything stocked up and tidy and organised. Renee’s previously volunteered as a trap installer, placing predator traps in residents’ yards. She works full time in a professional role and is a busy Mum to three kids.
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.
Darcy has thoroughly enjoyed joining the AKV team. "What I have enjoyed most about being involved with AKV is the unwavering passion and teamwork about conservation I have seen from everyone. It has been so amazing to surround myself within a community of like-minded individuals whose goals match mine - that we are all here to help create and maintain a diverse and healthy ecosystem. I also love being able to go out into the bush and do some birdwatching!"
The treasurer supports Aroha Kaikorai Valley to achieve its mission by overseeing its financial operations. We need someone with accounts and payroll experience who has a passion for details and records. Further details of the role can be found here.
Andrew volunteers on one of our community traplines, where people host a trap but are unable to manage the trap themselves.
Cody is often out checking the Fraser Gully traplines, always keen to help out with whatever the mission of the day might be, from trap runs closer to home to trips further afield, including a trek up to Hikaroroa.
Cody's journey with AKV started small, helping out with flyer drops, and has grown from there, installing signage at the Urban Farm for the air quality monitor and pitching in on rubbish clean-ups around the valley.
Now studying Horticulture at Otago Polytechnic, Cody is building toward a future in conservation, bringing hands-on energy and a genuine love for the mahi to everything AKV does.
Harri's come on board to facilitate the trap installation process. Previously she's been involved in fixing and restoring sewing machines. Harri is excited to be a part of a community restoring Kaikorai Valley.
Phil brings a wide array of skills to the Aroha Kaikorai Valley group. He does various practical tasks like trap installations and creating new traplines. Phil also brings his technical prowess in creating and analysing AKV's systems and procedures. Previously Phil has worked in the Canterbury high country in the predator control field.
