8 July 2005 Media Statement

New Fiordland Guardians appointed

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs today announced the appointment of eight members to the Fiordland Marine Guardians, a new advisory committee created under the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act.

The Fiordland Marine Guardians will be responsible for providing advice to management agencies and ministers on the management of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area. The guardians will elect their own chair at their first meeting.

"In appointing the eight members I had to ensure there was a balanced mix of knowledge and experience in relation to the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area,” Marian Hobbs said.

"Each of the eight people has extensive knowledge of different aspects of the industry, science, community or customary knowledge. I believe that this group will enjoy the collective respect of the community."

Alan Keys, a long-term recreational fishing representative has fished in Fiordland for 28 years. He is well known within the community.

Alan Mark, an emeritus Professor at Otago University, has been heavily involved in conservation management for 30 years and is highly respected in this field.
Ian Buick operates a helicopter operation from Te Anau and has strong contacts with aviation and charter operators in Fiordland.

John Steffens, has been the chair of the community group, the Guardians of Fiordland since their inception. He is a well-respected and credible community figure who also has significant experience in commercial fishing and fisheries management.

Ken Grange, Regional Manager of NIWA Nelson is a pre-eminent marine scientist. He has a broad understanding of general marine science and in particular the Fiordland marine environment.

Laurel Teirney operates a resource management consultancy from Dunedin. She has a fisheries management and fisheries science background and has been the facilitator for the Guardians of Fiordland community group for a number of years.

Malcolm Lawson is the Chief Executive of the CR8 (rock management) committee. He is heavily involved in commercial fisheries management in Fiordland.

Stewart Bull has extensive knowledge of customary uses of Fiordland (particularly customary fishing) he represents the Oraka-Aparima Runanga in a number of committees.

Seven of the eight members were previously members of the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment.

"These appointments provide continuity with the community group and will make sure that the momentum of this important work is not lost," Marian Hobbs said.

"I congratulate all of the appointees and look forward to meeting them all at the launch of the Fiordland marine management regime on 30 July 2005."

Fiordland Marine Guardians Biographies

Alan Keys

For the last 28 years, Alan Keys has fished recreationally in Fiordland. He is also a long term recreational fishing representative and is (or has been) a member of the Southland Sports Fishing Club, the Ministry of Fisheries South Marine Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee, the Southern Blue Cod Advisory Committee, the Foveaux Straits Oyster Management Group and the Southland Marine Recreational Fishers Association. He has been a member of the Guardians of Fiordland since their inception and was involved in the Paterson Inlet marine reserve working group.

Alan Mark

Alan Mark is a Emeritus Professor of Botany, University of Otago. He has been heavily involved in conservation management for the past 30 years. Alan has been a long term member of many conservation organisations including the Royal NZ Forest and Bird Protection Society, the Royal Society of New Zealand and the New Zealand Ecological Society. Alan has been the chair of the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau and has been a member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority. He has been a member of the Guardians of Fiordland since 2001.

Ian Buick

Ian Buick has been involved in the aviation business for 30 years. He is the managing director and chief executive of the South West Helicopter Group, which leases helicopters for agricultural, commercial, medical, fire fighting, flight training, conservation and flight seeing purposes. Ian is a member of the New Zealand Aviation Industry Association and the St John’s Ambulance Fiordland Area Committee. He is the chair of the Great Fiordland Coastal Clean-up committee and the South West New Zealand Endangered Species Charitable Trust.

John Steffens

John Steffens, a well respected and credible community figure, currently serves on the Te Anau community board. John also has significant commercial fisheries and fisheries management experience. He was a commercial fisher in Fiordland for 25 years and has been involved in a number of fishing organisations, including the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board, the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council and the New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council. John founded and directed the Cra8 (rock lobster) Management Committee and has been the chief executive and founding director of the Fiordland Lobster Company. John has been the chair of the Guardians of Fiordland and a driving force behind their process. He has also contributed to the formation of the Milford Sound and “the Gut” marine reserves.

Ken Grange

Ken Grange is the regional manager and principal scientist of NIWA, Nelson. Ken is a pre-eminent marine scientist and has a broad understanding of general marine science and in particular, the Fiordland marine environment. He is a member of a number of societies, institutions, committees including New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, council member and president Royal Society of New Zealand. He has published a number of marine science.

Laurel Teirney

Laurel Tierney operates a Resource Management Consultancy. One of her major projects was developing the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy. Laurel was appointed to the Guardians of Lake Wanaka in 2002. Laurel has previously worked at the Ministry of Fisheries and has published on coastal/ freshwater science, marine recreational fisheries and river angling.

Malcolm Lawson

Malcolm Lawson is a local businessman currently involved in commercial fisheries management. He is the chief executive of CRA8 (rock lobster) Management Committee. He is also involved in a number of other rock lobster industry associations. Malcolm plays an advocacy role for the Southland and Otago rock lobster industry. Malcolm has previously worked for the Ministry of Fisheries and has spent considerable time in Fiordland. He was a late appointment to the Guardians of Fiordland.

Stewart Bull

Stewart Bull has extensive knowledge about the customary uses of Fiordland. He is the chair of the Oraka-Aparima Runanga and is the Oraka-Aparima Runanga representative on the Board of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. Stewart has particular expertise in customary fishing issues, he is the Oraka-Aparima Runanga representative on the Customary Fisheries Advisory Group and he is a honorary Fisheries Officer for the Ministry of Fisheries. Stewart has been a member of the Guardians of Fiordland since their inception.

ENDS

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