Dean Wright (Chair)
Dean’s background is manufacturing and professional photography. His passion for protecting the natural environment emerged through his involvement with Fish Forever, a BOI community marine conservation group. The group worked supporting Te Rawhiti hapu, Ngati Kuta to put in place long term no fishing protection of Maunganui Bay to Oke Bay, and a commercial fishing bottom trawling and purse seining ban around the Cape Brett Peninsula. Since 2017, Dean has worked to bring coordinated conservation to the Kerikeri Peninsula, leading the Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust. Under his leadership, the Trust has expanded its reach to cover 1,575 hectares on the Kerikeri Peninsula, with over 250 properties under pest control and more than 110 active trappers. The Trust’s work was recognised with a NRC Whakamānawa ā Taiao Environmental Award in 2022.
Deb Bayens Wright
Deb has spent her life immersed in nature and horticulture in Hawke’s Bay and the Bay of Islands. After taking a year off to live aboard a boat with her family, Deb put down roots in the Bay of Islands and began volunteering for Project Island Song, contributing to planting, weeding, bird counts, and teaching conservation to children through the Floating Classroom programme. Inspired by Project Island Song’s success, Deb and Dean initiated pest control efforts on their property and the Opito Beachfront. These early efforts grew into the Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust. Deb manages our planting and weeding programmes, our annual bird counts and cares for injured native birds.
Fleur Corbett MNZM
Fleur is a dedicated conservationist and community leader with a remarkable history of service to the Bay of Islands. Between 2003 to 2023, she served as a Community Ranger for the Department of Conservation, building strong relationships with mana whenua, local groups, and organisations. Fleur is a founding member of the Guardians of the Bay of Islands and chaired the group from 2006 to 2022, leading the transformative Project Island Song to restore the pest-free islands of Ipipiri in partnership with mana whenua and DOC. Fleur is a recipient of the 2024 Member of New Zealand Order of Merit. Fleur’s commitment to fostering sustainable ecosystems and protecting New Zealand's unique biodiversity extends to engaging local rangatahi in conservation through school programmes and collaborating with landowners to maintain an extensive pest control network. Her vision has positioned the Bay of Islands as a model for innovative conservation practices. As a Trustee of the Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust, Fleur brings her vast experience and strategic insight to enhance the region's natural environment and community engagement efforts.
Dr Bruce Campbell CNZM
Bruce is a chartered director, consultant and dedicated conservationist. He holds directorships with Predator Free 2050 Limited, Horticulture New Zealand (Inc.), the New Zealand Winegrowers Research Centre Limited, and the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research. A recipient of the 2023 Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit, Bruce specialises in developing and implementing collaborative strategies that link science and business to benefit prosperity, nature, and people. With a PhD in Ecology from The University of Sheffield, UK, and a research background in ecology, climate change, and genetic technologies, Bruce has led transformative initiatives, including his tenure as Chief Operating Officer of Plant & Food Research. As a Trustee of the Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust, he combines his leadership in science with his passion for conservation, working to protect Te Tai Tokerau Northland’s natural environment while fostering partnerships between science and Te Ao Māori to support Te Taiao and our place within it.