Connect & Inspire 2025

🌿 Maunga, Awa & Moana 🌊

✨ Ki uta ki tai – “Everything is Connected” ✨

📰 What's happening today | 🔧 Developments that will help | 🔮 A vision for the future

🌿 Restore Rodney East is excited to present the incredible speaker lineup for Connect & Inspire 2025! 🎤

🌱 Dr Lee Shapiro – Boffa Miskell
Lee is a leading voice in ecological restoration, predator control, and landscape-scale conservation.
With a background in research and hands-on conservation, Lee brings deep expertise in innovative environmental solutions, bridging science and community action. His session will be packed with insights into biodiversity enhancement challenges and the latest in conservation science.

🚧 Hannah Giess - HEB Construction
As an environmental manager for large construction companies on significant roading projects, Hannah is at the forefront of balancing construction with environmental stewardship. Hannahs worked on a number of large infastructure projects including the Waterview tunnels, Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth and most recently O Mahurangi Penlink. She helps drive innovative construction methodologies to minimise disturbance to the environment. Hannah’s mahi ensures that our aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are protected while carrying out bulk earthworks & works over water. She’ll be sharing insights into what goes on behind the scenes of infrastructure jobs to work with nature, not against it.  

🏖️ Jason Maguiness – Tāhuna Ora – Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand
Our coastlines are under threat, but thanks to experts like Jason Maguiness, we’re learning how to turn the tide. As a leader in coastal restoration, Jason has been instrumental in projects that enhance dune systems, protect shorebird habitats, and build climate resilience. His talk will dive into the vital work being done to protect our coastal ecosystems and how we can all play a role in their restoration.

🐠 Steve Hathaway – Young Ocean Explorers
A legend in marine storytelling, Steve Hathaway has made it his mission to ignite a passion for the ocean in young people. As the founder of Young Ocean Explorers, Steve brings the wonders of the underwater world to life through immersive media, educational content, and awe-inspiring storytelling. See Steve’s work on Mammals! Expect a captivating session that will leave you with a renewed appreciation for Aotearoa’s marine ecosystems and how we can protect them for future generations. Click Here Now - Young Ocean Explorers!

🌳 Dean Baigent-Mercer – Forest & Bird
A passionate advocate for conservation and a highly engaging & entertaining speaker, Dean works with Forest & Bird to protect Aotearoa’s native species and wild places. His decades-long expertise spans everything from threatened species protection to large-scale forest and marine protection and restoration. His session will highlight the latest conservation challenges and how communities can take action to restore and safeguard our natural heritage.

Venue - Matakana School - 952 MATAKANA ROAD


Don't miss this amazing opportunity!

• Doors will open at 9.30 am with tea and coffee available, with an opening at 10am 
• Light lunch will be provided, with time to network and connect with speakers, and other group members.
• This event is aimed at all groups, and volunteers involved in environmental organisations.  We encourage all groups to share this event within your database of environmental heroes!

Special Thanks to Matakana School, Rodney Local Board, Lotteries Grants Board, Foundation North, Auckland Council, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, all environmental community groups, volunteers, and supporters.

Don't miss our Gibbs Farm Fundraiser Event, scroll down for details, or click on the poster link!