The crew

These are the people who make LegaSea possible. The LegaSea crew focus on fundraising and elevating public awareness of issues that affect recreational fishers. This team appreciates the support of a growing team of volunteers. Our core Fisheries Management team work on the gritty detail. Our Governance team provide leadership.

The LegaSea contractors focus on elevating public awareness of issues that affect recreational fishers and fundraising.

Sam Woolford
LegaSea Program Lead

[email protected]

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 ... Read more

Trish Rea
Communications Lead

[email protected]

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.... Read more

Scott Macindoe
LegaSea, Fisheries Management & Alignment Specialist

[email protected]

(021) 622463

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... Read more

Jessica Beetham
Grant & Partnerships Lead

[email protected]

Jessica's passion for the ocean was fostered from a childhood of summers exploring the coastal waters at Mangawhai. It often included putting together her own tackle box and fishing for kahawai and snapper in the estuary. Now, she is committed to sharing these experiences with her own family. Jessic... Read more

Sydney Curtis BSc
Science Communication & Volunteer Coordinator

[email protected]

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 managem...

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Katie Goodwin BSc
Fisheries Management & Supporter Engagement

[email protected]

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... Read more

Benn Winlove
Digital Communications

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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... Read more

Chris Scott
Social and Digital Comms | FishCare Lead

[email protected]

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... Read more

Matt Welch
Kai Ika Project Lead

[email protected]

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 ... Read more

Chris Jupp
Kai Ika Wellington, Free Fish Heads

[email protected]

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... Read more

Josh Inger
Cans for Kai Lead

[email protected]

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... Read more

Carrie Seal
Support Crew

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Carrie grew up in Tamaki Makarau and previously owned retail furniture stores. She has been involved with LegaSea since it's inception in 2012 as a volunteer capacity. Carrie enjoys being on the water around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and values the health of our marine ecosystem for future ge... Read more

Simon Yates
Support Crew

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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... Read more

Louise O’Sullivan
LegaSea Administration

[email protected]

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... Read more

Murray Batger
Sponsorship, Sales - Northland region

[email protected]

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... Read more
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council representatives, who work on the fisheries management advocacy, research, education and alignment.

Ian Steele
President of NZ Sport Fishing Council

Since a young age, Ian has aspired to learn and participate in all things related to fishing. Ian joined the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club in the early 2000’s and from there has worked his way from helping around the club, to being on the club committee, club NZSFC delegate since 2... Read more

Trish Rea
Communications Lead

[email protected]

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.... Read more

Vance Fulton

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... 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... 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 - ... 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... Read more

Richard Baker

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...
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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.

Ian Steele
President of NZ Sport Fishing Council

Since a young age, Ian has aspired to learn and participate in all things related to fishing. Ian joined the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club in the early 2000’s and from there has worked his way from helping around the club, to being on the club committee, club NZSFC delegate since 2... Read more

Scott Macindoe
LegaSea, Fisheries Management & Alignment Specialist

[email protected]

(021) 622463

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... 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... 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... Read more

Richard Baker

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...
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... 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... 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... 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 Beetham
Grant & Partnerships Lead

[email protected]

Jessica's passion for the ocean was fostered from a childhood of summers exploring the coastal waters at Mangawhai. It often included putting together her own tackle box and fishing for kahawai and snapper in the estuary. Now, she is committed to sharing these experiences with her own family. Jessic... Read more

Leahana Hotene
Ngati Awa, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Whatua Ki Kaiapra Kaipakihi Hua Whenua | Market Gardener, Kai Ika

Matt Welch
Kai Ika Project Lead

[email protected]

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 ... Read more

Chris Jupp
Kai Ika Wellington, Free Fish Heads

[email protected]

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... Read more

Kharl Rameka
Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae. Kai Ika distributions

Josh Inger
Cans for Kai Lead

[email protected]

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... Read more


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