About us.

DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND LEGAL

Matt has broad environmental research experience spanning the natural sciences, environmental education, philosophy and law.

Originally trained as a botanist at the University of Edinburgh, he worked for several years as a Research Scientist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Matt has widely published in environmental ethics and has a PhD in environmental philosophy from the Australian National University.

Matt holds an LLB from the University of London and has a keen interest in approaches to environmental law that prioritise the natural world.

SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR

Allan spent the better part of a decade working in leading New Zealand resource management and other legal teams. This work provided a long-running exposure to administrative law issues and litigation strategy, something he hopes to bring to ELI. Despite his experience, Allan prefers to call himself a student rather than an expert.

Allan’s family and heart are in Otago, though he lives in Christchurch. In his spare time he tries to get out in the mountains to climb, ski and tramp. Or in town to run, bike, get in the veggie garden, or read.

SENIOR RESEARCHER

Anna began her career as a lawyer in government at Crown Law, working in teams focussed on natural resources and public law. Later, moving to the NGO space, she focussed on freshwater management, policy and implementation, as an environmental advisor for Fish and Game. In this role, she supported advocacy and policy development for better freshwater ecosystem and habitat outcomes. This work grew out of a fascination and concern for the natural world and studies in law and environmental science. As a parent of 2, Anna most enjoys being with her family in wild places not far from their Nelson home.

SENIOR ADVISOR

Simon is a marine scientist with a focus on marine mammals. He has previously worked for the New Zealand and Australian Governments providing applied science, technical and policy advice, mainly around identifying and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on marine fauna. Other roles have included consulting and research for independent research organisations.

He is presently the New Zealand Coordinator for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Marine Mammals Protected Area Task Force, an Executive Officer of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium, and a member of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Scientific Council’s Aquatic Mammals Working Group, the New Zealand National Oiled Wildlife Response Team, and the New Zealand Threat Classification System team for marine mammals.

He is based in Nelson with his family.

SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR

Megan has over a decade of experience working in a broad range of areas.

She started her career working in Treaty of Waitangi litigation and negotiation. After a stint in Vancouver working for a firm advising First Nations, she returned to Aotearoa to work in intercountry adoption and international surrogacy, amongst other areas, for the Ministry of Social Development, and coordinating teacher conduct cases for the New Zealand Teachers Council.

Most recently, Megan spent 3 years in the legislation team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, working on everything from occupational regulation to major events.

Megan lives in Lower Hutt, and loves being blown around the coast and hills with her young family.

LEGAL ADVISOR

Reto has recently completed his LLB/BA degree and is particularly interested in Māori Environmental Law as well as increasing Māori representation within the New Zealand legal system.

Reto was raised and educated in Rawene, South Hokianga, and has previous experience in Māori land law, mātauranga Māori and Māori fisheries.