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Meet the Team

Laura Rumsey

Laura Rumsey

General Manager 

Laura has been part of the Project Island Song team since 2020. Originally as Engagement Manager, Laura moved into the General Manager role in 2024 when long-term General Manager Richard stepped down. 

The diverse role leads the overall direction of the project, working with the Committee, partners and stakeholders and supporting the team across all aspects of the project. Enabling communities across the Bay of Islands and beyond to visit Ipipiri and actively participate in the project

Carola Guerresi

Administrator

Carola joined the Project Island Song team in October 2023.  Carola brings her skills and expertise in all things administrative and finance related. Carola is responsible for answering enquiries from the public, and taking care of the many and varied other tasks that need doing to keep the cogs of the organisation running smoothly.

Andy Boor

Andy Boor

Fundraising Manager 

Andy joined the team as Fundraising Manager in 2022. In this role, he works with Project Island Song’s extended family of donors, partner businesses, and other supporters who share our kaupapa, as well as working to develop new sustainable revenue streams for the organisation.
If you would like to help secure the future of Project Island Song, he would love to hear from you.

Kirstie MacDiarmid

Education & Volunteer Lead/Coordinator

Kirstie joined the team in May 2024, she is responsible for leading and coordinating our education programme, volunteering opportunities and  community events.

Kirstie brings some great experience to the team with her background in sustainability, education and learning programmes, and even tour guiding. Last year Kirstie gained a Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi, an intensive one-year total immersion Māori language programme, which she will no doubt utilise in this role.

Shane Maddren - Kaitiaki Ranger

Shane Maddren

Kaitiaki Ranger & Skipper

Shane takes the lead on delivering numerous activities on the islands for the project.
He can often be found out on the islands multiple times per week, whether that is leading our Weedbusters or other volunteers, delivering our Floating Classrooms programme for local schools, or providing tours of the project for local and visiting groups. 

Tracey Taylor

Lead Skipper 

Tracey joined the team as our Lead Skipper and Responsible Person for our vessel Marara. Tracey brings her enthusiastic attitude and can-do personality to this role. Tracey has been on boats her entire life having grown up here in the Bay of Islands. She has experience in the running of numerous vessels as part of her skippering career and a great understanding of vessels, Maritime NZ requirements and expectations. 

Miriam Ritchie

Conservation Dog Handler 

Miriam, along with her expertly-trained conservation dogs Will and Ahu, can be found traversing the islands for a number of days every month, checking for any signs or smells of rogue rodents that may have found their way to Ipipiri.

Fletcher Sunde

Skipper/Educator/Guide

Fletcher came onboard in 2023 as one of our Floating Classroom educators.  Fletcher has multiple talents, not only is he one of our educators, he’s also a skipper and guides for Project Island Song.