Zoological Society of Auckland inc.

Board of Managers

President

Dr Lorne Roberts PhD; BSc (Hons)

Lorne Robert s- Zoological Society of Auckland Lorne is a senior lecturer in the Department of Natural Sciences, Unitec, New Zealand teaching into sub-degree and undergraduate programmes. His areas of teaching are anatomy and physiology, ex-situ conservation, zoo history, philosophy and ethics, captive wild animal husbandry, population management and enclosure design. He is the Programme Leader for the certificate programmes within the Department and Curriculum Leader for the only zoo keeper qualification within New Zealand, the Certificate in Animal management - Captive Wild Animals and also holds a position at Auckland Zoo as liaison for the programme.

Lorne is a zoo accreditation officer for the Australasian Regional Association for Zoological Parks and Aquaria, scientific advisor and operational committee member for the Kea Conservation Trust, and board member of the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad. Lorne is a director of a company (ZooTech) that provides expertise on animal acquisition, accreditation and auditing for zoos. Previous research includes hormone monitoring in captive sea lions and Sumatran tigers, visitor perception, advocacy and learning within zoos, enrichment techniques for captive wild animals, and currently is involved with Kea population studies and research into bird repellents for baited pest control programmes.

Vice-president and Editor of Society Publications

Willow van As MSc; BA.BSc

willow-van-as - Zoological Society of Auckland I completed my BA.BSc (majoring in English and Biology) at The University of Auckland, and followed this by achieving an MSc (with distinction) in Behavioural Ecology gained at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. After returning to NZ I joined the Zoological Society of Auckland in February 2009, and found attending the seminars an extremely fascinating insight into current research and events related to the broad field of zoology. I am passionate about all creatures, from the tiniest of insects to the largest of whales. Their behaviour, conservation and the issues surrounding them and the environment, both in captivity and in the wild, are of great interest to me, and have been since I was young. I also continue to support a number of wildlife organisations through both volunteer work and donations. By becoming one of the Board of Managers I believe I could combine my zoological knowledge with my passion for wildlife and conservation, my creativity, and my strong interest in education and quality research, in order to bring fresh ideas and contribute to the growth of the Zoological Society. I am certain that I would be a valuable member of the Board, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges it may present!

General and Membership Secretary

Christine Liggins

christine-liggins Christine moved to New Zealand from the UK in 2004. She was a logistics manager for a herbs and spice importer, with a part time job of budget adviser on the North Shore. Christine has now stepped back from the full time job to concentrate on budget advice and insolvency management -helping clients manage their money and debts. She became a volunteer of Auckland Zoo in 2005 and also the train driver in 2007, joined the Zoo Society in 2007 and became the Secretary in June 2008.

Treasurer

Renny Hayes

renny-hayes - Zoological Society of Auckland I'm 50, a graduate, even a qualified accountant and have worked in the recruitment industry for 25 years. I was made a director in 1989 so have plenty of experience of boards, committees and camel design.Have volunteered at Auckland Zoo for a couple of years and at Marwell Zoo (in the UK) before that. First went to Africa in 1985 and have been back many, many times since. I've seen polar bears, blue whales, leopards, brown bears, aardvarks, jackals, giant tortoises and puffins (to name but a few) in their natural habitats.

David Attenborough will always be one of my 'fantasy' dinner guests. I have a donkey and several other pets. This is the first (and probably last) Cliff Richard concert of my life; David Bowie is my musical icon.

Events Coordinator

Vacant

Board Members:

Ex Officio

Auckland Zoo's Manager of Education - Monique Zwaan

Julie Robson

Karen Simpson

Clara Harrison

Yvette Hodgson

Yvette Originally from Dunedin/Otago, she also spent a lot of time on her grandparent's farm in South Canterbury. Has been known to (foolishly?) support the Otago Rugby team.
Making Auckland her home for over the past 20 years, she enjoys the warmer climate.
Yvette's work has always been Office Management, in a large variety of industries... currently running the very busy NZ Office of a company which imports vehicles from Japan/UK.
Because of her respect & love for animals (she has had from a very young age), she wanted to help in some way. Volunteering at Auckland Zoo since late 2009, has been very rewarding. Wanting to still do more, she has put her hand up for the Zoological Society of Auckland, and very privileged to be on the board.