Rob Forlong

Chief Executive Officer/Tumu Whakarae
Prior to his appointment, Rob Forlong was Chief Executive of Whangārei District Council for two terms.
He contributed to Whangārei becoming a significant metropolitan local authority with strong population and economic growth, and enhanced relationships with Iwi/Hapū.
Rob was the inaugural Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Authority, establishing the EPA in 2011, and was also the Chief Executive of the Environmental Risk Management Authority from 2005 to 2011.
Rob has worked on both local government and environmental issues throughout his career, and his first role was as a Coastal and Marine Conservation Officer in Otago between 1988 and 1992.
Rob is an Associate Fellow – New Zealand Institute of Management, and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and New Zealand Resource Management Law Association.
He has a Master of Science with Honours in Zoology from Massey University.
View CEO Expenditure in accordance with the guidelines published by the Office of the Auditor-General. 

Alyssa Bird

Executive Assistant/Kaiāwhina Matua
Alyssa Bird has an extensive background in Office and Personal Assistant Administration roles in both the Financial Services and Not for Profits sectors.
She is excited to be part of an organisation doing great work for the benefit of NZ's unique environment.
She enjoys being with her 3 young children, bushwalking and spending time in nature.
 

Brett Butland

Landscape Director/Kaiwhakahaere Matua - Horanuku
Brett Butland previously worked at Auckland Council as Director of the Pest Free Auckland programme. With DOC he directed the multi-species eradication operation on Rangitoto/Motutapu.
In South Africa he was a wildlife ranger for the Natal Parks Board. 

Anna Di

Finance Analyst/Kaitātari Pūtea
Anna Di previously worked at Woolworths to support Aotearoa operations. Her extensive finance experience in banking, real estate, and retail helps strengthen internal controls, streamline processes and enhance the company’s data analysis.
Anna enjoys spending time with her young daughter and is excited to be working for an organization with immense positive environmental impacts for Aotearoa. 

Bruce Collis

Chief Finance Officer/Kaiwhakahaere matua - pūtea Prior to his appointment, Bruce Collis was Chief Financial Officer and Director of APHG – Asia Pacific Healthcare Group for twelve years. Bruce's earlier roles include Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer for Bomac and Chief Financial Officer of the NZ Blood Service. Bruce is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand with a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University. Bruce is passionate about the use of technology in business and holds a Diploma in Business-Information systems from the University of Auckland. Bruce also believes in strong businesses governance and is a Chartered Director of the NZ Institute of Directors.  

Aseel Hameed

Head of Finance/Kaiwhakahaere Pūtea
Aseel Hameed has extensive financial management experience in the public and private sector. Excited to be part of the Predator Free movement to enhance our culture and wellbeing.
Aseel enjoys being outdoors with her two young boys. 

Dan Tompkins

Science Director/Kaiwhakahaere Matua - Pūtaiao
Dan Tompkins was with Manaaki Whenua where he led the Managing Invasives portfolio and process to define the predator free 2025 research goals.
An ecologist and epidemiologist by training, Dan has degrees from Cambridge University and the University of Oxford.
 

Joan Lah

Research and Development Project Support Manager/Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa – Rangahau me te Whakapakari
Joan Lah previously worked in the field as an ecological restoration team leader. Her main focus was pest plant and animal control. Joan is passionate about the unique ecosystems of Aotearoa and is excited to be a part of an organisation that will protect it. In her spare time you can find her at the beach with friends, surfing or hiking.  

Melissa Brignall-Theyer

Project Support Manager/Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa - Horanuku
Melissa Brignall-Theyer has worked for the Department of Conservation as part of the Predator Free Hawke’s Bay team and with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research on a wide range research projects.
Melissa is based in Napier. 

Emma Williams

Emma Williams Communications Director/Kaiwhakahaere Whakapā
Emma has many years’ experience as a science communicator in the public, private and NGO sectors. She has a postgraduate diploma in Communications Management — and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Botany. She started her career in policy and project management roles, including five years overseas working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Greenpeace International. Emma loves working directly with people, using the power of marketing/communications to help create positive behaviour change for a sustainable world. 

Shelley Augustine (nee Crawford)

Communications Advisor/Kaitohutohu Pāpāho
Shelley Augustine provides communications/brand/content, and media support to PF2050 Limited. Shelley has worked within the marketing and public relations space for over a decade with Air New Zealand and joined PF2050 Ltd in 2019.
Shelley has a passion for conservation with experience in leading community projects, including large-scale environmental events.
 

Kevin Collins

Knowledge Broker/Pou Ako-Horanuku
Kevin’s role is to help people involved in PF2050 to share information, ideas and experience that will assist the landscape scale projects and advance the national eradication initiative.
Kevin is based in Hamilton. 

Nicole Hayward

Finance and Māori Capability Advisor|Kaitohutohu Kaupapa
Nicole Hayward was previously a financial business partner for local iwi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Nicole enjoys spending time with her three young children and is excited to be working for another organisation with a positive kaupapa.
 

Olivia Rothwell

Research and Development Project Support Manager/Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa – Rangahau  me te Whakapakari
Olivia Rothwell has managed conservation technology initiatives and research projects here and overseas.
She recently led the development of a draft data standard to support the predator free community. 

Nathan McNally

Project Support Manager/Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa - Horanuku
Nathan McNally previously worked as Manager of the Possum Eradication Project for the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group. He has worked in animal control and as a field biologist in NZ and overseas for 20 years.
Nathan is based in Dunedin.  

Svea Cunliffe-Steel

Governance Director/Kaihautū Mana Ārahi Rautaki, Hononga ā Kawanatanga
Svea Cunliffe-Steel provides governance advice and support to the Board and Management, oversees effective reporting and accountability responsibilities, and manages the monitoring relationship with Department of Conservation.
She has extensive governance experience and machinery of government knowledge from 16 years working across the public sector.