Former lighthouse keeper, Ray Walter, is somewhat of a unicorn. Having spent 30 years in the lighthouse service, he made the switch to managing the nursery and – with his wife Barbara – recruited hordes of people to create tracks and re-forest Tiritiri Matangi. A self-avowed ‘non hermit’, Ray broke the mould of the lighthouse keeper stereotype when he discovered the Tiritiri lighthouse would be automated, and in 1980 he became the first ranger on the island. Since then, Ray has spearheaded the project with his wife Barbara, building the nursery, gathering seeds from the islands around the Hauraki gulf, cutting tracks and starting the guiding programme. Ray and Barbara retired from DOC in July 2006.

The organisational might behind the creation of this sanctuary lies firmly with Barbara, who brought over thousands of Aucklanders and school children to re-plant the island throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. Barbara joined her husband Ray on the island in 1984 and played a significant role in organising this hardy ‘spade brigade’ to re-forest the island at a time when there was no regular ferry. The role as a ranger’s wife proved to be busy, with Barbara juggling all number of tasks. On any one day you could find her working at the shop, managing overnight bookings at the bunkhouse, teaching correspondence school or organising a busy programme of working bees. After an hour of planting, all volunteers were given a tour of the island by Ray or Barbara, and soon mainlanders were fighting over space on the boat. Once the island was forested, Barbara helped to turn these tree planters into a group of dedicated guides who help to tell the story of Tiritiri to visitors. The creation of the sanctuary and the dedicated troupe of guides who tell its story has created a legacy which will surely last as long as the island itself.

Nick was born and raised in Wellington, spending his teens and early 20’s tramping in the North Island forest parks of Remutaka, Tararua and Ruahine. After studying at Victoria University for an undergrad geography and environmental studies degree he joined DOC in 2007. A series of positions in National Office (which thankfully came with some very supportive managers) allowed him to spend time in the field up and down the country, where he was able to learn from experienced scientists and field operators. Accumulating a base of skills but looking for some more formal training, he attended the Tranee Ranger programme at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2011/2012, which included a season on the West Coast at Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe. In late 2012 when his partner Genevieve was hired as the ranger on Kapiti Island, he became the island’s hihi contractor, as well as taking on some general island responsibilities. After five years on Kapiti, further island ranger postings to Mana Island (2018-2021) and most recently on Te Pākeka Maud Island (2021-2025) followed until starting on Tiritiri Matangi in January 2025. Nick and Gen are joined on Tiritiri Matangi by their two children Theo and Georgia, and all feel very privileged to be able to live and work in such a special place. 

Ian has been member of Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi for 25 years, regular weekly guide for 13 years, involved with various Biodiversity projects, and presenter to many Auckland service clubs and community organisations on Tiritiri Matangi conservation efforts. His career has been at senior management level in Local Government and Public Companies, holding many roles from Company Secretary to CEO. Experienced in management, governance, finance, marketing, HR, property and relationships. Ian has a doctorate in Business Management, am a Winston Churchill Fellow, and a member of the Institute of Directors. Outside of my career, my involvement has been in community organisations, including periods in excess of 35 years in both Scouting NZ and NZ School Trustees Association. Ian has held office bearer positions in these and many other groups at local, regional and national level including as treasurer, auditor and president. Ian is willing to provide the governance leadership this role requires and to contribute to the continuing successful conservation efforts on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Debbie Marshall has recently been appointed as the Operations Manager for the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. She is married, a mum to three children and Nana to seven grandchildren. Debbie has a background in Education and over 42 years of experience in primary, secondary, and early childhood sectors, as well as special education. For the past twenty years, she has worked as a primary school principal. After Debbie resigned, she was determined to volunteer for not-for-profit organisations. She loves the sea and has spent some time on the Waitemata Harbour. Debbie heard about the volunteer opportunities at Tiritiri, signed up as soon as she could and started her journey to be a guide. She was impressed with all the interesting people she met, buddying with different guides was a fantastic experience. Debbie continues to be amazed by the depth and breadth of the work the supporters have put in over the years and looks forward to meeting them all.

Email: opsmanager@tiritirimatangi.org.nz

Sara is an educator with a passion for working with children and a deep love for conservation, who is excited to be a Lead Educator on Tiritiri Matangi Island. She is a conservation optimist and strongly believes children are the key to positive changes in the future. By creating opportunities for experiential learning and creating stimulating and interactive environments, she hopes to inspire students to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature, to understand the unique nature of our taonga species and to take positive action in the future. She has always had a profound connection with nature; however, it was her very first visit to Tiritiri Matangi that ignited my passion for Aotearoa New Zealand’s native and endemic birds and opened her eyes to what is possible when communities come together with a common goal. She aspires for every student who visits Tiritiri Matangi to experience this same sense of wonder. In addition to her classroom teaching experience and as an educator for Rotoroa Island, she has gained practical experience and firsthand knowledge through my volunteer work at Auckland Zoo, in local community conservation groups, and her involvement in school programmes facilitating bird counts. When I am not working, I enjoy going on birding adventures, spending time with my animals, bird photography and pottery.

Email: educator@tiritirimatangi.org.nz

In her role on Tiritiri Matangi, Liz develops educational resources, liaises with educators to enhance and develop the programme, and runs classes for primary school children. After 30 years of working as an environmental educator and facilitator, she says that seeing a kid’s face light up after an encounter with a bird, bug or botanical curiosity never grows old. By drawing on her skill-base in environmental education, communications and media, Liz has mastered the delicate art of seeding and supporting a raft of community conservation projects throughout the wider Auckland region. Liz currently delivers environmental education programmes for Auckland Council, Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi and The Forest Bridge Trust. She says that having a bush classroom is the best way to spark children’s curiosity as it draws on those often neglected sensory and tactile pathways to help create life-long learning.

Drawn here because of her love of the ocean and nature, Gail has lived in Red Beach for 21 years.  In this time she has largely cleared her property of invasive pest weeds and established a predominance of native plantings.

Recently retired from her business in leadership development, she found success in building quality relationships, good communications, and managing large-scale projects and training events. Gail is looking forward to becoming involved with the Tiritiri Matangi community, and learning more about the team and what makes the motu such a special place of significance for conservation and research.

Outside of work she does a lot of biking and has completed many of the great trails around Aotearoa.  She’s involved in her local community with a small group of neighbours who work to control invasive pest weeds on the south side of Orewa Estuary. Gail is also on the Board of the Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa in support of her interest in the arts.

Gail has an adult son and is privileged to still have her mother close by as she is able to have close contact and ensure she is well cared for in a local care facility.  She enjoys socialising with local friends and keeping fit by practising yin yoga and going to the gym.

Email: shop@tiritirimatangi.org.nz