OUR TEAM

Co-Chairman

Andrew Russell

Currently farming sheep and beef on Tunanui Station with Kieran Wills. Situated in the Sherenden District on Taihape Road, I have lived here all my entire life aside from a couple of breaks for education and overseas travel. I am married to Pip and have two children, Arthur & Georgia. My continuing involvement in the community includes being a former Pukehamoamoa school board member, serving as a Rural Fire Officer for the past 30 years and I am an active member of the Sherenden Hall committee. I am also a part of the Hawkes Bay Federated Farmers executive team. I was also formerly on a Charitable Trust for 19 years, 5 of which being the Vice Chairman.

The Russell family has farmed Tunanui since 1860, hence the passion I have for the land between the two rivers. Having farmed this land through various weather events, people coming and going from the community and multiple law…changes, I believe I have a great understanding for the land and needs of the community.

Co-Chairman

Meihana Watson

Ko Kahurānaki te maunga
Ko Ngaruroro te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi
Ko Ngāi Te Upokoiri me Ngāti Hinemanu ngā hapū
Ko Omahu te marae 

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I am currently the co-chair of the Between the Two Rivers (B2R) catchment board. I am also the chairman of Omahu Marae (2009-current) and the chairman of the Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna Piringa Hapū Authority Trust (Te Piringa Hapū) (2019-current). 

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I have been living in Omahu on and off for the past 40 years and have seen the vitiating changes in our taiao over the years. I am a product of Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura and Whare Takiura. Through these learning paths, I have been able to comfortably walk and navigate myself in both te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā. 

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I am currently employed by Te Puni Kōkiri – The Ministry of Māori Development in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti region as a senior advisor working predominantly with Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. commissioning agreement, Paiheretia Te Muka Tāngata, with our Marae in Oranga Marae and Kainga Rua. Before this, I worked in the Treaty of Waitangi Settlement process (direct negotiations) with Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust as the Chief Operations Manager and He Toa Takitini as the Communications Manager and Projects. 

Secretary & Upper Catchment Coordinator

Ainsley Harte

I am a sheep, beef & deer farmer from Waiwhare, Hawke’s Bay alongside my partner Willie. We lease his third-generation family farm, Waiwhenua, which is 325 ha effective, and absolutely love it. I studied Environmental Management and Planning at Lincoln University and then went into a nutrient advisory role with Ravensdown based in Dannevirke before I had the opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted to do – farming!

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I am passionate about our taiao. As Upper Catchment Coordinator, I want to help farmers & growers achieve their on-farm goals by providing educational workshops and advice through Between the Two Rivers resourcing, while ensuring they still love what they do.

When not farming or busy with B2R commitments, you’ll find me enjoying the outdoors, travelling, or socialising with friends and family.

B2R Committee Member

Michael Toulmin

I farm sheep & beef on our 211 Ha property located at Waiwhare, where I have lived since 2010 with my wife and two children. After studying Forestry at University of Canterbury (BForSci) I spent 5 years working in forestry operations and harvesting in both New Zealand and Australia. Following on from this I moved into sawmilling where I managed sales & marketing for Kiwi Lumber. In 2021, after 12 years at Kiwi Lumber I shifted my focus to running the farm full time.

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I am keen to promote farming in a positive manner, and ensure the greater community is aware of the hard work farmers are already putting into achieving improved environmental outcomes. Through my involvement with Between the Two Rivers I hope to assist other farmers in the community in understanding ongoing regulatory changes and ensure farmers are supported along the way.

I am currently a member of the Sherenden & Districts School Board of Trustees.

B2R Committee Member

Tom Lowry

Our family has lived in this catchment for 5 generations.

We farm sheep, cattle horses and a few Rockit apples. I was educated in Australia studying horse business management and in England studying agriculture.

Our family wants to continue living in this area we call home for generations to come. We see our catchment as our future and as neighbours and resident-cum-occupiers in this unique area, we would like to be part of gaining knowledge, sharing history, helping others to make our area the area we want to live in and to see our future safe and prosperous for generations to come.

B2R Committee Member

Greg Toatao

Ko Takitimu te waka

Ko Ngaruroro te awa

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi

Ko Ngāti Hinemanu me Ngāi Te Upokoiri ōku hapū

Ko Kahukuranui te whare tipuna

Ko Ruatapuwahine te wharekai

Ko Ōmahu te kainga

Ko Gregory Douglas Toatao tōku ingoa.

I was born and raised in Ōmahu about half a kilometre from the marae. I am a kaumatua of Ōmahu and Chairman of Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri Hapū. I am married to Ripeka Hakiwai and we have two children and 8 grandchildren. We own a stonefruit orchard on Korikipo Road we are currently leasing out.

B2R Committee Member

Mary Tukiwaho

Kia ora,

Ka tū au kei raro ō ngā maru o Mahuika, o Uenukukopako, o Rangiteaorere, o Rangiwhakaekeau, o Tutakangahau hoki. Ka tū au ki te taha o B2R hei mahinga au ki ngā whakaaro o te Māori mo te Te Taiao, ngā kaupapa tino hirahira mo te “community”, mo ngā tāngata e noho ana i te rohe mai Ohiti ki ngā maunga o Kaweka. He mahi tino aweawe, tino maha, me ngā matauranga hou, kōrero hou hoki ki au.

I am a descendant of Mahuika, Uenukukopako, Rangiteaorere, Rangiwhakaekeau and Tutakangahau. I am a homeschooling mother to a 10-year-old, turning 11 this year as well as a mother to two adult sons. I have represented my marae on several Māori boards and my whānau on land trusts.

Everything that I am learning and doing alongside of the B2R Catchment group is eye opening for myself, I enjoy learning new techniques in the implementation of ideas and solutions, of helping and supporting the community from Ohiti through to the Kaweka mountains when I can. I thoroughly enjoy soaking up the knowledge from our resident scientist, our project manager manages to teach me something new in almost all our conversations as well as the other team members. It is my pleasure to work alongside of such inspiring, supporting and amazing people.

B2R Programme Manager

Stephanie Howard

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