Board members: Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board

The Tongariro Taupo Conservation Board has 11 members appointed by the Minister of Conservation. The Board is currently carrying 1 vacancy. Find out more about the current members of the Board.

Georgina Winter of Raetihi (Chairperson)

Appointment Term: 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2025

Georgina Annette Winter or Honey as she likes to be called, is a dedicated leader with a diverse range of governance and community roles. As Chair of the Taupo Tongariro Conservation Board (TTCB), Georgina is committed to enhancing the natural environment through thoughtful conservation strategies that respect the interconnected needs of people and nature. Her approach reflects a steadfast belief in the importance of collaboration and integrated governance to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Georgina’s leadership spans across health, conservation, and community development, highlighting her passion for fostering sustainable and resilient systems

Family is Georgina’s most important foundation, and she draws strength from her whānau in all that she does. Her leadership reflects her belief that the wellbeing of people, communities, and the environment are deeply interconnected. She is committed to working in ways that leave a positive and lasting legacy for her children, mokopuna, and future generations.

Georgina’s work is driven by a vision where conservation, health, and community development are integrated to create thriving ecosystems and empowered communities. Whether in governance, conservation, or health, Georgina approaches each role with dedication and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and places she serves.

Clint Green of Tūrangi

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2027

Clint (Ngā Wairiki and Ngāti Apa) is a former teacher and tourism operator providing close relationships with the local community. He is familiar with the conservation estate in the boards’ rohe, having spent much of his life enjoying outdoor recreation activities in the Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park.

Jamie Grant of Taupō

Appointment term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2027

Jamie Grant (Uenuku, Tamakana, Tūwharetoa, Ngati Tama) is a trustee for Te Mano o Te Whenua Trust and the environmental Pou for Uenuku Charitable Trust. As Lake Taupō Harbourmaster, he ensures the well-being, maintenance, and public safety of Taupo Moana, working with the Tūwharetoa Trust Board and local hapū. Jamie’s expertise includes senior marine engineering, project management, legislation compliance, and operational planning.

Karen Grimwade of Ohakune

Appointment term: 7 July 2020 to 30 June 2026

Karen is a researcher/writer and conservation advocate. She has been actively engaged in work to progress management planning in her last four years on the conservation board. She has taken a leadership role in the CMS Review work, which is a high priority for the Tongariro Taupo Conservation Board. Karen has previously worked for the Department of Conservation, has a degree in History and a master’s degree in Cultural Heritage Management. She currently is on the Project Tongariro executive board, the Te Pae Ao co-governance committee.

Jacqueline Iorangi of Tūrnagi

Appointment term: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027

Jacqueline (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is Mama to four tamariki and Nanni to seven mokopuna. Raised in the bush in National Park, she has an interest in conservation and sustainable kai gathering. Her professional background is in educational programme development, social services, project management, cultural and strategic vision, and providing administration and governance servicing for Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Jacqueline contributes to and advocates for indigenous people’s rights in conservation and the environment abroad.

George Potaka of Raetihi

Appointment term: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027

George (Te Āti Haunui-a- Pāpārangi, Ngāti Waikarapu) works as a Kaupapa Māori Mental Health & Addictions Kaituhauora for Iwi provider Te Puke Karanga Hauora and Vice-Chair of Dream Makers Trust, both based in Raetihi. He believes that by combining the work of the Tongariro/Taupō Community Board with the energy and creativity of young people, the region can thrive sustainably for years to come.

George aims to ensure that the voices of residents are heard, and that initiatives reflect the values and aspirations of the Tongariro/Taupō region and is also committed to fostering a culture of transparency and inclusivity.

Hannah Rainforth of Whanganui

Appointment term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2026

Hannah (Te Āti Haunui-a- Pāpārangi, Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāti Hauiti, and Ngāti Rangi) is the Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust nominee for the Board. She works as a Kaupapa Taiao Specialist with Kahu Environmental Ltd and has wide experience in iwi-led research on fish, kōura and kākahi populations, iwi-led ecological restoration plans, iwi and hapū-led freshwater monitoring plans and projects, iwi values in the national policy space, and communication between science and iwi groups.

Michael Richardson of Taupō

Apointment term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025

Michael offers a background in geotechnical and structural engineering, with extensive experience in wastewater and stormwater including stability and issue assessments on Public Conservation Land. He is well connected with the local community being involved with a number of conservation groups including Greening Taupo, Kiwis for Kiwi, Forest and Bird, and as a volunteer on many Taupō-based Predator Free Projects. Mr Richardson is also well connected in the Alpine/Skiing community, being involved in the management of the Alpine Club Hut.

Sir Tumu Te Heuheu of Taupō

Appointment term: life member since 1 September 1998

Tumu is Paramount Chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and is is a direct descendant of Horonuku Te Heuheu who in 1887, as Paramount Chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, tukua the mountains of Tongariro to the people of New Zealand. He is Chairperson of Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Lake Taupō Forest Trust, and Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust. He sits on many national boards as either chair or a member. In the 2004/2005 honours list he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. As New Zealand’s delegate to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee he was elected Chairperson in 2006.

Te Ngaehe Wanikau of Tūrangi

Appointment term: 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2025

Te Ngaehe is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent and is a nominated by Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa. He has experience in environmental policy, planning and analysis, and consultation with local governments and authorities. His particular interest is in providing a cultural perspective to conservation board deliberations. His outdoor recreation interests are fishing and food gathering.

Martin Wikaira of Turangi