Land management advisors
Our land management advisors (or Ilamas, as they are sometimes known!) provide free support and advice for Canterbury landowners looking to implement sustainable land management practices and improve environmental outcomes on farm.
Many of our advisors have ties to farming themselves, and they understand the need for practical and pragmatic solutions help to improve freshwater quality, soil conservation, and biodiversity. They act as connectors between farmers, iwi, industry groups, and other stakeholders – facilitating connection, collaborative problem-solving and knowledge sharing.
If you are interested in learning more about good management practices for freshwater outcomes, erosion control or if you simply require support with both national and regional regulations, please give our team a call. They’re a passionate bunch who want to see Canterbury's rural communities thrive together in our beautiful environment.
North Canterbury
Pete Bradshaw
Area: Kaikoura
I can help you with: Soil conservation and revegetation, water quality, biodiversity, farm planning.
About me: I have a strong background in primary industries and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. I'm passionate about building trusted relationships with rural communities, supporting them to meet environmental goals while maintaining productive and resilient landscapes. My approach is grounded in collaboration, education, and a genuine respect for the land and those who care for it. When I'm not working I'm spending time in the outdoors – whether it's hiking, fishing or exploring the diverse landscapes of Canterbury.
Andrew Turnbull
Area: North Canterbury
I can help you with: Farm systems, erosion and land management, regulations and consenting, catchment and community engagement.
About me: I’m a senior land management advisor at Environment Canterbury with over 11 years of experience supporting sustainable land use and environmental outcomes. After completing a degree in Environmental Planning and a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, I began my career with Environment Canterbury as a Biodiversity and Biosecurity Advisor in South Canterbury. I later moved to the Wairarapa, where I focused on hill country land management, erosion control, forestry implementation, and catchment-scale improvements to water quality. For the past five years, I’ve been back in North Canterbury where I grew up on a sheep and beef farm, working closely with local landowners to support practical, on-the-ground change. I’m here to support the rural community by providing trusted, practical advice that helps farmers navigate environmental challenges while continuing to thrive. Outside of work, I help run a lamb fattening business with an annual turnover of 10,000 lambs, keeping me closely connected to the realities of farming.
Sam Thompson
Area: Amuri
I can help you with: Catchment groups, soil conservation and revegetation, good management practice, farm systems, biodiversity, biosecurity.
About me: I was born in Bondi, moved to the West Coast and have lived in Christchurch since 1986. Growing up I was drawn to farming and have been lucky enough to learn, grow, play, and be employed in the rural Canterbury landscape for over 30 years. My agriculture experience includes milking cows, pest control contracting, forestry, stock fencing, mining, marine farming, wetland restoration, biosecurity, biodiversity, and from 2018 enjoying the land management advisor role. I really enjoy rural based work, particularly engagement and relationship building alongside delivering outcomes. If you don't have a relationship, you don't stand a chance.
Anna Veltman
Area: Waimakariri
I can help you with: Consenting and the RMA, nutrient budgeting and loss reduction, waterway enhancement and protection, soil conservation and revegetation.
About me: I'm from a farming background, and the rural sector has always been close to my heart. I have tertiary training in horticulture, ecological agriculture and resource management planning, with overseas study and work experience in China, The Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. My broad experience within Environment Canterbury means I can help explain and demystify rules and regulations that are impacting the agricultural sector today, and also help design and implement on-the-ground actions that will ultimately make the difference for environmental outcomes we are looking to achieve.
Central Canterbury
Evelyn Murray
Area: Upper Selwyn
I can help you with: Farm systems, soil nutrients, effluent management.
About me: Canterbury born and bred, I come from a family farm based in North Canterbury. I have a genuine passion for soil – from its biology and structure to nutrient management and fertility. My focus is on practical, sustainable approaches to building and maintaining healthy soils by increasing organic matter, supporting soil biology, and optimising nutrient cycling. In addition to my background in soil fertility, I bring solid expertise in farm dairy effluent management, having previously worked as a dairy compliance officer. I'm always happy to help – don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions or on-farm queries.
Thomas Jansen (TJ)
I can help you with: National and regional rules and regulations, land use, soil conservation, biodiversity.
About me: With my background in the Advisory Team, I’ve developed a broad understanding across many areas, but my real specialty is helping people navigate rules and regulations. I have a degree in Chemistry and Environmental Science, which sets me up well to support anything land-use related. If you’re an individual or part of a community group in Christchurch or Banks Peninsula and you’re looking for advice or support from Environment Canterbury, I’d love to have a chat to see what we can do.
Sylvia McAslan
Area: Lower Selwyn
I can help you with: Farm systems, waterway enhancement and protection, soil conservation, systems change, options & alternatives.
About me: I grew up on a small farm. Following travel, adventure, and completing advanced pig unit management in Yorkshire, I returned to Mid Canterbury and farmed in partnership on an outdoor pig and arable farm. With the farm sale 13 years later, I worked in customer service, before completing a degree at Lincoln, and arriving at Environment Canterbury in 2012. I enjoy providing practical assistance, information and solutions, relating to good environmental stewardship within a farming landscape, and at times demystifying the background and thinking behind regulations.
Tracey Perkins
Area: Ashburton
I can help you with: Farm systems, dairy, community engagement and catchment groups, facilitation.
About me: I'm a rural professional, facilitator, and dairy farmer with over a decade of experience in biosecurity, environmental sustainability and farming. I am committed to building resilient rural communities through inclusive, solutions-focused dialogue. Outside of work, I enjoy painting, pottery and exploring our beautiful country.
Caitlin Hyde
Area: Selwyn and Banks Peninsula
About me: I'm originally from Ashburton and have a mixed background in genetics and anthropology, as well as experience as a lab technician in food pathogens, microbial solutions and I have a PhD in social science. Most of all, I love working with people who are passionate about what they do. Outside of work, I play social touch rugby in the summer and enjoy running, yoga, and hiking.
Jess Cochrane
Area: South Canterbury
I can help you with: Farm systems, nutrient management, irrigation, waterway and riparian management, permitted activity guidance, winter grazing, good management practice.
About me: I am a South Canterbury local, having grown up and worked on my family farm in Waimate. I supported the environmental changes that came with transitioning the family farm from a dryland sheep, beef, pig and cropping system, to an irrigated bull beef, dairy support, and cropping property. My experience with different farm systems means I have extensive experience in finding practical solutions to winter grazing challenges, critical source area management, and effluent and irrigation management. I’m here to listen to your unique experiences and enable you to make the best decisions you can for your business and the environment.
Anna Mehrtens
Area: South Canterbury
I can help you with: Farm systems, nutrient management, sheep, beef and arable systems, rule interpretation, permitted activity guidance, rule/planning framework and plan changes, good management practice.
About me: I’m a proud South Canterbury local originally from Pleasant Point, and now based in Waimate where I live with my young family and my cropping farmer husband. I hold a Bachelors degree from Lincoln University and have a strong passion for supporting sustainable land management and the protection of our natural resources. I enjoy working closely with farmers and landowners, valuing practical, on-the-ground solutions and building strong relationships with the people who know and care for the land best.
Maria Captein
Area: South Canterbury
I can help you with: Soil conservation and erosion management, winter grazing, riparian management, helping farmers understand what the regulations mean for their farm, general GMP advice.
About me: Kia ora, I grew up on a dairy farm and run a mixed beef and cropping farm in the Timaru district. I am passionate about preserving soil as the most valuable farm resource. If you'd like to understand what sustainable land use options are available to you or how the regulations may apply to your farm, and want to talk to someone who understands farming and managing the land with all its challenges, I'd love to help.
Helen Risk
Area: South Canterbury
I can help you with: Farm systems, nutrient management, sheep, beef, dairy systems, biodiversity advice, rule interpretation, permitted activity guidance, rule/planning framework and plan changes, good management practice.
About me: I've worked as a senior biodiversity and land management advisor at Environment Canterbury for more than nine years. I have a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University, and have previously worked as a sustainable dairying advisor at Fonterra. I work and live in South Canterbury – currently Twizel – where I live with my young family and my husband. I grew up on a sheep and beef property in Southland and previously ran a lifestyle block while living in Timaru. I'm here to help people manage Canterbury’s land and water resources responsibly through adoption of good management practices on farm, facilitating field days and workshops to promote awareness. I value building strong working relationships by having agriculture experience and practical skills to advise and educate others.