Meet the Team

Richard Robbins

General Manager

Richard has been General Manager of Project Island Song since 2012. The face of the project for many in the local community, he leads the overall direction of the project, working closely with the many stakeholders and partners involved. Richard leads on the ecological restoration of the islands, including planning and managing the reintroduction of species, and overseeing biosecurity, as well as supporting the team across all aspects of the project.

Laura Rumsey

Engagement Manager

Laura has been part of the Project Island Song team since 2020. In her diverse role, she enables communities across the Bay of Islands and beyond to visit Ipipiri and actively participate in the project. Laura manages our education programme, volunteering opportunities, community events, and leads our communications, amongst other things.

Carola Guerresi

Administrator

Carola is the newest member of the team and has taken on the Administrator role from Shelley Arlidge who decided to retire 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.

Shane Maddren

Kaitiaki Ranger

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.

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.

Fletcher Sunde

Educator

Fletcher came onboard in 2023 as one of our Floating Classroom educators. Fletcher has proven he has multiple talents, not only is he one of our educators, he’s also training to become a qualified skipper and provide guided walks on the islands for Project Island Song.

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.