The LegaSea contractors focus on elevating public awareness of issues that affect recreational fishers and fundraising.
Growing up with the Manukau Harbour as his backyard, Sam's earliest fishing memories were of rowing a wooden clinker across Blockhouse Bay catching kahawai on spinners. From here, his passion for the ocean grew.
As a qualified dive instructor; summers were spent fishing, diving, delivering boats
... up and down the country and working on yachts in New Caledonia.
After returning from a 5-year hiatus in Europe, the noticeable decline in the health of our coastal fisheries spurred a desire to get involved. “I want future generations to grow up enjoying similar experiences as we did when kids". Sam has a Marketing and IT background and is a qualified CIMA accountant.Read more
Trish is a professional and experienced advocate, and has more than a decade of fisheries management experience.
She has worked on issues from sustainability reviews to policy management to public rights, and is extremely dynamic in her ability to spread information and increase public awareness.
...
Naturally, she brings an extensive network of well-developed, positive working relationships with recreational fishing, tangata whenua and environmental interest groups.
Growing up in a Samoan family Trish knows in her bones that Polynesians are hard-wired to eat kaimoana so she does her best to ensure all Kiwis have access to good, healthy food from the sea.Read more
Scott Macindoe’s passion is to make certain that the vision of 'more fish in the water for future generations' is not something that we just talk about – he is totally committed to this becoming our REALITY. He is an active environmentalist, used to be quite a good fisherman, a talented networke
... r, a green-fingered gardener & a loving family man. His mind is often miles ahead of the others in the room – it is his clarity, insightfulness and ability to think laterally that are his real diamonds. Scott is clear that we can successfully create an organised, professional and respected group that does a fantastic job to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. He is all about working positively together, as demonstrated by his tireless efforts to working closely with tangata whenua and environmental groups around New Zealand. Scott believes success will only be achieved together, by understanding & respecting each other’s aspirations and needs. His energy is infectious and his passions are inspiring. Call Scott on (021) 622 463 or email [email protected].Read more
Jessica's strong business acumen resulted in her holding senior roles in a number of multinational organisations. With a desire to use her professional experience for good, she left the corporate world choosing to specialise in grant funding and project administration for not-for-profits. Jess parti
... cularly enjoys maintaining quality governance, financial oversight, and accountability reporting for the LegaSea work streams. On average Jess has been able to secure over $600,000 per year in grants for LegaSea and NZSFC initiatives.Read more
Sydney has a science and research background that today is an integral part of our digital and social media communications. She is committed to ensuring LegaSea is a trusted source of fisheries information. Her understanding of fisheries stock assessment modelling and fisheries management processes
... is always backed up by reliable supporting evidence. Sydney is continually challenging herself to develop new skills that will help progress our team. Her background in team management has made her an obvious choice to lead the LegaSea Volunteer Programme which has contributed to the Waiheke crayfish survey, snapper catch and release mortality studies, the Kai Ika Project, and many supporter engagement activities. Sydney is passionate about everything LegaSea stands for and is dedicated to supporting our team on any wavelength.Read more
Katie grew up in the sunny Bay of Plenty, spending more time in the water than on land. Armed with a bachelors degree in environmental and marine science from UoA, Katie is a powerhouse in conveying the issues our marine environment is faced with. Unleashing her passion for the ocean, Katie believes
... that raising public awareness is the key to change. "The more people understand what is happening in our oceans, the greater chance we have at restoring them."Read more
Benn’s extensive background working in digital communications has brought essential skills to LegaSea. After running his own communications agency for many years, Benn followed his heart to work in an area he truly cares about with a mission to make a real difference.
Also a keen cook, his favo
... urite thing to do in the world is catch, prepare, cook and eat kaimoana and with as much variety and in as many different ways as possible.Read more
With over a decade of experience in social media management and brand marketing, Chris is a master of the digital realm. He has built formidable online presences and passionate advocate communities for prominent Kiwi brands like Skinny Mobile, Spark, and Electric Kiwi. Known for establishing powerfu
... l brand voices, crafting compelling content, and delivering standout marketing campaigns, Chris is not one to tussle with online. His notable successes include the memorable “Electric Kiwi Jingle” and Skinny’s “Famous Names” campaign.
FishCareRead more
Growing up exploring the Coromandel coast, Matt fell in love with the ocean through fishing, diving, and surfing. After completing an environmental management degree Matt gained a dive instructor qualification while completing his diploma in marine studies. For the past 20 years, Matt has honed his
... entrepreneurial skills by running his own businesses in Canada and New Zealand. Now, he's embarked on a new chapter with LegaSea, eager to contribute his expertise and leadership to marine conservation.
kaiika.co.nzRead more
Porirua local, proud husband to Britney and father to Eden, Chris has been a mad keen fisherman since his Dad first got him hooked as a young lad. Over the years, being on or near the ocean has become a place of healing and restoration for him. Chris is passionate about the wellbeing of our people a
... nd our environment, and brings experience in fundraising, enterprise and community engagement to his role leading the Kai Ika project in Wellington.Read more
Josh holds a bachelor of science degree (BSc) in Biological Science and Marine Science from the University of Auckland. He began his professional journey with The Kai Ika Project as a summer intern, undertaking ground operations for the Kai Ika Project and Cans for Kai, including Kaimoana distributi
... ons.
In his role, Josh is committed to ensuring The Kai Ika Project can continue to provide fresh Kaimoana to communities across Auckland. Recently, he took over the position of Cans for Kai Lead at LegaSea, where he is focused on expanding the aluminium can recycling initiative to generate funds. This effort supports The Kai Ika Project in meeting the growing demand for fresh fish in the community.
Josh is driven by a passion for marine ecosystem health and sustainability. He is actively developing and implementing initiatives aimed at conserving marine resources and promoting sustainability practices.Read more
Carrie has actively participated in managing and owning retail furniture stores throughout her career. Her extensive involvement spans overseeing inventory management, customer relations, and the strategic positioning of merchandise to maximise sales and customer sati... sfaction. She has been involved with LegaSea since it's inception in 2012 as a volunteer. Carrie is passionate about the LegaSea supporter experience and ensures that all your merchandise and orders are dispatched with care and on time.Read more
Simon’s father handed him his first fishing rod at the age of five. From that moment on fishing for him became far more than just a means to an end. It influenced where he lived, where he holidayed, who is best mates were, his skill development in boating, tackle management and preparing kai moana
... . It helped shape his proud kiwi heritage.
Simon has a substantial and award winning sporting, sponsorship, promotional marketing and advertising background. An extremely creative and strategic thinker he can help make LegaSea supporters not just leaders but heroes of the future.
"I can’t stand by and watch the destruction of our kiwi lifestyle so that a few fellow kiwis can selfishly manage our fishery into a desert for their own short term gain.
I want to pass on the life rewarding opportunity that fishing provides, not just a bunch of old photos and bedtime stories of how it once was. This vision cannot be achieved alone. We need every kiwi to play their part. It’s the responsibility of us all”Read more
With over 20 years of experience in administration roles, Louise embraces the administrative duties with dedication. For that reason, she has been the backbone of many community organisations. Most recently, the Warkworth Gamefish Club, Sandspit Marina Society and the... Sandspit Yacht Club in multiple roles including Learn to sail coach, she is an active member of the Yacht Club and has spent years sharing her joy of boating with others. Read more
Murray is passionate about working with a great organisation to protect our inshore fishery for our people, our communities and for future generations. As a kid growing up in Northland, he spent hours on wharves catching sprats (thanks for your patience, Mum).
"Had some amazing experiences fishin
... g with my grandfather and father. We could catch a few Kahawai on the way for a fish with a white piece of cloth on a hook. That was bait for the day. Time out at sea with friends and family is the ultimate Kiwi Experience for me. But we have dropped the ball on our watch.
We must leave this fishery in as good a place as we found it and currently, we are failing to do this. Bottom trawling and dredging in our inshore fishery are unacceptable behaviour nowadays and has to stop. We know what the problems are, and we know how to solve them. All we lack currently is unified action. So come on New Zealanders, get behind us at LegaSea and make a differenceRead more
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council representatives, who work on the fisheries management advocacy, research, education and alignment.
Trish is a professional and experienced advocate, and has more than a decade of fisheries management experience.
She has worked on issues from sustainability reviews to policy management to public rights, and is extremely dynamic in her ability to spread information and increase public awareness.
...
Naturally, she brings an extensive network of well-developed, positive working relationships with recreational fishing, tangata whenua and environmental interest groups.
Growing up in a Samoan family Trish knows in her bones that Polynesians are hard-wired to eat kaimoana so she does her best to ensure all Kiwis have access to good, healthy food from the sea.Read more
Vance has been a keen fisher all his life with a particular passion in game fishing since the late 70s, doing a lot of work on charter boats around the Bay of Plenty. He’s been a stalwart of the Mt Maunganui Sports Fishing Club for many years as a committee member for 12 years and Vice President f
... or 6. He now represents the club as a delegate as part of Zone 4 which serves the central Bay of Plenty. He brings his extensive background in agricultural and environmental science to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Standing Committee.Read more
John Holdsworth
Marine Scientist
John Holdsworth is our Fisheries Science Expert – the man who tells it like it is – using language that we can all understand.
John is Director of BlueWater Marine Research – a company that conducts a range of scientific research projects, with a special focus on recreational fish species a
... nd management issues.
He has over 20 years of experience in fisheries research and is a member of multiple Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Science Working Groups including Highly Migratory Species, Inshore Finfish, and Marine Amateur Fisheries.
John is often seated at the important decision-making tables, and he has this fantastic ability to translate complex fisheries management issues into simple concepts.
Because of all this, and so much more, we think he is more valuable than gold.Read more
Wayne Bicknell
Co-Chair of the NZSFC Fisheries Management Standing Committee
Wayne is a life member of the Hawke’s Bay Sport Fishing Club and an IGFA representative.
His years of experience, both in the Ministry’s Area 2 Regional Recreational Fisheries Forum and as a founding member of LegaSea Hawkes Bay, means Wayne is a valuable asset to the Fisheries Management -
... Marine Protection Sub-committee of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea team.
Wayne has always been a passionate fisherman with a strong sense of commitment to leave the fishery in a better state for those who follow.Read more
Mark Connor
Co-Chair of the NZSFC Fisheries Management Standing Committee
Mark is the Council’s Immediate Past President. He is a long-term member of the Ashley Sport Fishing Club in North Canterbury. Mark is the South Island’s representative on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Board. Mark is keen to continue working to ensure the next generation of New Zealande
... rs enjoy quality fishing, a productive marine ecosystem and strong representation of amateur fishing interests.Read more
Sydney Curtis BSc
Fisheries Science & Management
Sydney has a science and research background that today is an integral part of our digital and social media communications. She is committed to ensuring LegaSea is a trusted source of fisheries information. Her understanding of fisheries stock assessment modelling and fisheries management processes
... is always backed up by reliable supporting evidence. Sydney is continually challenging herself to develop new skills that will help progress our team. Her background in team management has made her an obvious choice to lead the LegaSea Volunteer Programme which has contributed to the Waiheke crayfish survey, snapper catch and release mortality studies, the Kai Ika Project, and many supporter engagement activities. Sydney is passionate about everything LegaSea stands for and is dedicated to supporting our team on any wavelength.Read more
Richard is a founding member of the NZ Land Based Game Fishing Club and has been involved with the Council for 26 years. Richard was President from 2008 to 2011, and is now the Council’s youngest ever life member. He is one of New Zealand’s IGFA representatives and a T... rustee of the NZ Marine Research Foundation. Richard’s experience is invaluable when he represents the Council as LegaSea’s spokesperson on fisheries management, policy and public education issues.
Read more
The LegaSea Governance Advisory Committee are members of and appointed by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. The Governance team provides LegaSea with the necessary leadership and guides workflows.
Scott Macindoe’s passion is to make certain that the vision of 'more fish in the water for future generations' is not something that we just talk about – he is totally committed to this becoming our REALITY. He is an active environmentalist, used to be quite a good fisherman, a talented networke
... r, a green-fingered gardener & a loving family man. His mind is often miles ahead of the others in the room – it is his clarity, insightfulness and ability to think laterally that are his real diamonds. Scott is clear that we can successfully create an organised, professional and respected group that does a fantastic job to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. He is all about working positively together, as demonstrated by his tireless efforts to working closely with tangata whenua and environmental groups around New Zealand. Scott believes success will only be achieved together, by understanding & respecting each other’s aspirations and needs. His energy is infectious and his passions are inspiring. Call Scott on (021) 622 463 or email [email protected].Read more
Peter Campbell
Vice President. New Zealand Sport Fishing Council
Peter is a respected member of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s executive and was Vice President from 2001 to 2009. He is based in Tauranga and has been a zone delegate to the NZSFC Board for 16 years. His distinctive leadership style ensures efficient development of fisheries management su
... bmissions and policy documents, and delivery of regular updates for members and supporters.Read more
Mark Connor
Co-Chair of the NZSFC Fisheries Management Standing Committee
Mark is the Council’s Immediate Past President. He is a long-term member of the Ashley Sport Fishing Club in North Canterbury. Mark is the South Island’s representative on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Board. Mark is keen to continue working to ensure the next generation of New Zealande
... rs enjoy quality fishing, a productive marine ecosystem and strong representation of amateur fishing interests.Read more
Richard is a founding member of the NZ Land Based Game Fishing Club and has been involved with the Council for 26 years. Richard was President from 2008 to 2011, and is now the Council’s youngest ever life member. He is one of New Zealand’s IGFA representatives and a T... rustee of the NZ Marine Research Foundation. Richard’s experience is invaluable when he represents the Council as LegaSea’s spokesperson on fisheries management, policy and public education issues.
Read more
Dirk Sieling
Governance and Fisheries Management
Dirk Sieling has been a keen angler since his childhood in Holland, where he spent many hours as a kid catching eel and flounder. He continued this passion in New Zealand where he moved in 1974. He learned to dive in Whitianga and spent most of his spare time fishing, diving and hunting. In recent y
... ears he represented recreational fishers in the SEACHANGE Stakeholder Working Group that amongst many other things recommended sweeping changes in the management of the greater Hauraki Gulf fisheries, the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park.
Dirk was a regular contributor to NZ Fishing News and is also the author of the Solomon Islands Cruising Guide. Currently he is an elected representative on the Fonterra Shareholders Council where he is tasked with co-chairing a representation and governance review. He has also served as a Councillor on the Thames Coromandel District Council. Dirk is a member of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club and continues to share his passion for fishing. Dirk feels strongly about a more rational approach to fisheries management in New Zealand.Read more
Professionally, Brett is a Chartered Accountant and currently works in Napier for Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd, where he applies his financial expertise to drive operational success. He also serves as the Finance Committee Chair for the New Zealand Sports Fishing Council, ensuring that the organisati
... on’s financial health supports its mission to advocate for responsible fishing practices and marine conservation. Brett has become actively involved in fisheries management, volunteering with LegaSea to promote sustainability within the fishing community. His extensive experience, combined with his passion for conservation and community engagement, positions him as a valuable asset to the Council as it strives to ensure a thriving future for sports fishing in New Zealand.Read more
Lionel Hotene
Ngati Awa, Ngati Pukeko, Ngati Kahu. Kaiwhakahaere Maara Kai | Parakore Engagement Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae
Lionel Hotene leads the efforts at Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae in Māngere as part of The Kai Ika Project, where he oversees the distribution of fish heads and frames to the community. By transforming what many consider waste into valuable kai, Lionel ensures that nutritious fish parts are shared wi
... th those in need, along with fresh vegetables from their organic gardens. His work not only supports community welfare but also exemplifies a sustainable, no-waste philosophy, turning fish offal into garden fertilizer and enriching local food resources.
Under Lionel’s leadership, the marae has become a crucial hub for the Kai Ika Project, processing around 1500kg of fish parts weekly. This initiative aligns perfectly with the marae’s ethos of reconnecting people with growing and catching their own food. By collaborating with LegaSea, Moana Pacific, and other organizations, Lionel’s work fosters a stronger sense of community and cultural connection, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that everyone has access to healthy, sustainable food.Read more
Carlos Hotene
Ngati Awa, Nga Puhi, Ngati Whatua Ki Kaipara. Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae Kai Ika distribution
Carlos Hotene is the head of distribution for the Kai Ika Project at Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae. With a deep passion for community service and environmental kaitiakitanga, Carlos has played a pivotal role in transforming the marae gardens into a flourishing hub of food production and sustainability
... . Carlos has significantly enhanced the community’s access to nutritious food through these initiatives while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
An ex-professional rugby league player and Blake leadership award recipient, Carlos is an all-rounder who strives to empower the next generation to be environmentally conscious and sustainable. His leadership and commitment to the Kai Ika Project highlight the profound impact of combining traditional Māori values with modern sustainability practices.Read more
Valerie Teraitua
Ngati Whatua Ki Kaipara, Ngapuhi Rarotonga. Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae Kaiwhakahaere Matua | CEO
Puna Hotene
Ngati Awa, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua Ki Kaipara. Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae - Kai Ika
Jessica's strong business acumen resulted in her holding senior roles in a number of multinational organisations. With a desire to use her professional experience for good, she left the corporate world choosing to specialise in grant funding and project administration for not-for-profits. Jess parti
... cularly enjoys maintaining quality governance, financial oversight, and accountability reporting for the LegaSea work streams. On average Jess has been able to secure over $600,000 per year in grants for LegaSea and NZSFC initiatives.Read more
Leahana Hotene
Ngati Awa, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Whatua Ki Kaiapra Kaipakihi Hua Whenua | Market Gardener, Kai Ika
Growing up exploring the Coromandel coast, Matt fell in love with the ocean through fishing, diving, and surfing. After completing an environmental management degree Matt gained a dive instructor qualification while completing his diploma in marine studies. For the past 20 years, Matt has honed his
... entrepreneurial skills by running his own businesses in Canada and New Zealand. Now, he's embarked on a new chapter with LegaSea, eager to contribute his expertise and leadership to marine conservation.
kaiika.co.nzRead more
Porirua local, proud husband to Britney and father to Eden, Chris has been a mad keen fisherman since his Dad first got him hooked as a young lad. Over the years, being on or near the ocean has become a place of healing and restoration for him. Chris is passionate about the wellbeing of our people a
... nd our environment, and brings experience in fundraising, enterprise and community engagement to his role leading the Kai Ika project in Wellington.Read more
Kharl Rameka
Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae. Kai Ika distributions
Josh holds a bachelor of science degree (BSc) in Biological Science and Marine Science from the University of Auckland. He began his professional journey with The Kai Ika Project as a summer intern, undertaking ground operations for the Kai Ika Project and Cans for Kai, including Kaimoana distributi
... ons.
In his role, Josh is committed to ensuring The Kai Ika Project can continue to provide fresh Kaimoana to communities across Auckland. Recently, he took over the position of Cans for Kai Lead at LegaSea, where he is focused on expanding the aluminium can recycling initiative to generate funds. This effort supports The Kai Ika Project in meeting the growing demand for fresh fish in the community.
Josh is driven by a passion for marine ecosystem health and sustainability. He is actively developing and implementing initiatives aimed at conserving marine resources and promoting sustainability practices.Read more
