Past contributors

Adam Brook

Laboratory Technician – Portobello Marine Lab, University of Otago

Adam graduated from the University of Otago in 2015. Years of interest in aquatic systems and aquaculture led to work as a professional aquarist, with particular interest/skill in mollusc husbandry. Since the start of 2018 he has been working on small scale Blackfoot pāua culture for experimental reseeding Customary Protection Areas. This involved achieving successful spawning from local broodstock, through to the growout of juvenile pāua before reseeding individuals into the Customary Protection Areas.

Tasman Gillies

Environmental Advisor – Mahinga Kai Monitoring and Enhancement, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Tasman has returned to Otautahi as a graduate to work for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Tasman is an Environmental Advisor – Mahinga Kai Monitoring and Enhancement within the Te Ao Turoa team. As a third generation tangata tiaki for Whakaraupō, Tasman hails from Rapaki and is of Ngāti Wheke (Ngai Tahu) and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. Tasman will be part of the team based in Christchurch that aims to implement a monitoring framework for tribally significant Mahinga Kai Areas within the Ngāi Tahu Takiwā (tribal area).

Emma Kearney

Department of Conservation

Emma completed her masters degree at the University of Otago, investigating the factors limiting the recovery of tupa/tipa/kuakua (the New Zealand scallop) within Te Whaka ā Te Wera Mātaitai, Rakiura. Having worked with the TMK team during her postgraduate years on her research, Emma rejoined the team in 2016 as a Vision Matauranga Placement Fellow Co-funded through Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund (MBIE) and the University of Otago. Emma used mātauranga to inform management strategies for customary fin fish fisheries throughout the Ngāi Tahu Takiwa. Emma hs since worked as an Environmental Advisor for the Te Ao Turoa Mahinga Kai team, Te Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu, and now works as a Senior Ranger for the Department of Conservation in Tāmaki Makaurau. Originally from Auckland, Emma is of Ngati Porou and Te Rarawa descent.

Assoc. Prof. Anne-Marie Jackson

University of Otago

Anne-Marie Jackson is a Professor in Māori physical education and health and joined the School of Physical Education as an academic staff member in 2011. After obtaining a Bachelor of Physical Education Honours degree majoring in Exercise Sport Science and a Master of Physical Education focusing on education policy at the School of Physical Education, she completed a doctorate in Māori studies and physical education examining rangatiratanga and Māori health and well-being within a customary fisheries context.

Federico Baltar

University of Otago

Fede was a lecturer at the Department of Marine Science, and is an aquatic microbial ecologist focusing mainly on the role of bacteria in aquatic ecosystems. His research group investigated what factors control bacterial carbon cycling in coastal and open ocean communities, and how this bacterial function is and will be influenced by human-induced change (e.g. acidification, increased temperature, eutrophication). They are also worked towards better understanding the dynamics of microbial indicators of fecal contamination in relation to environmental parameters, and its relation to shellfish food safety. Fede continues this work as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Limnology & Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Austria.

Peri Subritzky

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu & the University of Otago
Peri first joined the TMK team in 2009, through a University of Otago studentship. Peri completed his Masters degree in 2012, his research focusing on identifying juvenile pāua habitat. Peri is currently a Vision Matauranga Placement Fellow Co-funded through Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund (MBIE) and the University of Otago working on providing baseline information to customary fisheries managers. Hailing from Kaitaia, Peri is of Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi descent.

Ashli Akins

Assistant Research Fellow
Ashli Akins recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a master’s degree in international human rights law. She previously attended the University of Victoria (Canada) in 2009, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies, Latin American studies, and professional writing (journalism & publishing). She is the founder and director of Mosqoy, an international charitable organization that works with remote communities of the Peruvian Andes to provide economic opportunities while nurturing their threatened indigenous culture. Additionally, Ashli is a photographer, writer, researcher, and editor, aiming to educate about human rights and environmental injustices through arts and the media. Such contracts include National Geographic (New York), Health for Humanity (Guatemala), and the Salmon Coast Field Station (Broughton Archipelago).

Alaric McCarthy

University of Otago
Born on a tiny coral atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Alaric McCarthy has always been fascinated by culture, the sea and conservation of marine life. Alaric came to Dunedin to study zoology and geography before completing a master’s degree in Marine Science at the University of Otago. His research took him back to the tropics, where he investigated how the ‘ozone hole’ affects vulnerable parts of the food web across different latitudes. Alaric has a history of community involvement and is passionate about cultural resilience and diversity. Within the Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai project, Alaric helps conduct and synthesise research relating to the sustainability of local fisheries, promotion of bottom-up community-based fisheries management, and incorporation of bicultural collaborative management partnerships.

Alex Gilks

Designer
Alex designed the Mahinga Kai website, and the issues of Kai Kōrero magazine. He works in Dunedin, mostly for small companies and not-for-profits. As well as doing design for screen and print, he also does some illustration and writing and dabbles in music. He has taught art and design at local schools and at the University of Otago. Alex and his young children love rock pools, picking blackberries, having barbeques and checking out the vege patch.

Julian Moller

Julian built the Mahinga Kai website. A skilled developer, Julian is atoning for his misspent youth by helping a diverse range of technology startups and other clients create interesting websites and apps. Julian has recently moved to Wellington, but nobody in Dunedin has noticed yet.

To so many extraordinary team members – researchers, advisors, mentors, and administrators, that have contributed their energy, time, and skills over the past decade. We could not have achieved what we have without these individuals. Thank you!