Meet your zone representatives

Gina is the current Chairperson of the Committee.  She lives in Governors Bay and has a rural property at the head of Whakaraupō.  Gina has professional engineering skills along with interests in water, environmental protection and restoration, and farming.  She is also the Committee's representative on the Whaka Ōra Community Advisory Group, a community representative on Environment Canterbury Biosecurity Advisory Group and is a steering group member, newsletter editor and local coordinator for Predator Free Port Hills.  Gina grew up in Governors Bay.

George is a third generation farmer in Port Levy.  George's farm has a number of waterways and significant areas of native bush.  George has also been a shepherd at large stations in Canterbury and the North Island.  He has been part of Banks Peninsula Wools, Banks Peninsula Agronomy Group, the Banks Peninsula Collie Club and helps organise dog trials at the Little River show.  George grew up Port Levy.

Ben Manson farms his own property in Little River and farms in partnership on 2 other properties (Ōnuku and Ōnuku Heights).

He has lived in the area for the past 35 years and his parents and grandparents for most of their lives.

Ben has been involved in the local community with the activities of the Little River School and Co-Chair of the Little River Flood Working Group..

Trudi is trained as a Climate Reality Leader under the Al Gore Climate Reality Training corp and has professional experience in marketing, education and behaviour change.

Trudi grew up in Ashburton, lives in Beckenham and spends a lot of her time recreating on Banks Peninsula.

Elisa has a range of experience in environmental management focusing on community and stakeholder engagement and assisting with change management to achieve improved environmental outcomes.

This includes experience in the UK supporting community flood response, and a regional compliance role at Environment Canterbury. 

She is based in Cashmere and has a property in Wainui, reflecting her passion for Banks Peninsula.

Erana is a student at University of Canterbury and a member of the Environment Canterbury Youth Rōpū.

She is a youth representative on the Water Zone Committee, so she can be part of the conversation.

“I want to, through my experience, normalise open communication between youth and more knowledgeable people who are experts in certain levels of fields. By allowing me to get involved I can then take my knowledge base that I learn whilst taking part and address it to the wider communities that I am part of, diversifying opinions shared and explained."

Kia ora. My name is Aurora Smith.

I am very privileged to have spent my childhood at Rāpaki on the shores of Whakaraupõ - walking the land and experiencing a strong relationship with nature. Working in both Biodynamic and BioGro Certified gardens and orchards, tramping and kayaking, whilst living in the Nelson area, has further encouraged my respect and love of nature.

With a Diploma of Remedial Body Therapies from the Naturopathic College of New Zealand, I am aware that as humans, we are just one part of this amazing planet. Also, that our well-being and the well-being of the earth are inseparable. Maintaining the Mauri of the water is an absolutely vital element to maintaining the well-being of all.

Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri a muri ake nei.

For us and our children after us."

I am the Chairperson of the Onuku Runanaga and a Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu board member.  I am active in the community and currently  a trustee for 5 different organisations. I am passionate about the Peninsula and look forward to working with the other members of the BP zone committee.