About KNECT

Di Rossiter

MSc (Hons 1) Environmental Microbiology, BSc Ecology and Zoology

As Deputy Chair and Co-Founder of KNECT, Di holds more than 30 years’ experience across environmental science, research, planning, project management and risk management, including the delivery of projects of significant scale and complexity exceeding NZ$2 million.

With a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Zoology as well as a Masters in Environmental Microbiology, Di combines strong scientific and strategic capability with extensive governance and steering group experience. Her work supports collaborative initiatives focused on ecological restoration, regional resilience and community wellbeing across the West Coast, and she also currently serves as Co-Chair of the Westport South School Board of Trustees.

Known within KNECT as the “crazy octopus lady” for her ability to juggle multiple projects and ideas at once, Di brings energy, vision and a future-focused approach to KNECT’s work. She is passionate about the natural world and the role communities can play in shaping resilient futures, with a strong belief that meaningful long-term change happens when science, people and place are brought together.

Glenn Irving

BE (Nat Res Hons) and an MSc (ApplSc Hons)

Glenn, current Chairperson and Co-Founder of KNECT, has over three decades of experience across natural resources engineering, project management, outdoor education, financial and operational management as well as community-led initiatives throughout the district.

Holding a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Natural Resources Engineering, a Master of Applied Science with Honours and a National Certificate in Outdoor Leadership, Glenn combines technical expertise with strong governance and community leadership experience. Alongside his role as Treasurer/Secretary of the Buller Cycling Club, Glenn also serves as a Trustee of both Buller High School and the West Coast Community Trust.

Glenn believes strongly in the role communities can play in protecting and enhancing the places they love and is always looking for new ways to help people connect with the outdoors.

Jason Sellaiah

Jason Sellaiah and his family have made their home on the West Coast, drawn by the region’s rugged landscapes, strong sense of place and unique natural environment.

With a deep appreciation for the Buller district and its wilderness, Jason joined KNECT with a commitment to helping protect and preserve the region’s natural beauty for future generations. He values being part of a collaborative team working to strengthen environmental stewardship and positive long-term outcomes across Buller Kawatiri.

Jesse Paley-Atkins

Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics; Bachelor of Science in Geology

Jesse is a long-standing Buller local, business owner and community advocate with more than 15 years’ experience operating businesses within the region. His background combines environmental understanding, business experience and practical involvement in community-led initiatives.

Holding degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics as well as Geology, Jesse now owns and runs Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation with wife Jessica. Jesse has been involved in a range of planting projects, track building and regenerative tourism initiatives across Buller Kawatiri and is also a Buller Cycling Club member and financial member of Promoting Buller Inc.

Born and raised in northern Buller and now raising a young family of his own in the region, Jesse is strongly connected to both the local environment and community. He values the opportunity to work alongside others creating positive long-term outcomes for Buller Kawatiri and supporting projects that strengthen the region for future generations.

Jo Howard

BBS

Jo brings more than 35 years’ experience across business, governance and community leadership, alongside extensive knowledge of the Buller district gained through more than 40 years living and working in the region.

With a background in retail and management, Jo offers strong operational and strategic capability with a deep commitment to community development and regional wellbeing. Jo served two terms as a Buller  District Councillor and is actively involved in numerous community organisations, including as a Trustee of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, Buller Conservation Volunteers and the Westport Menz Shed.

Jo enjoys working alongside communities to address complex challenges and develop positive long-term outcomes for Buller Kawatiri. She brings practical leadership, strong local knowledge and a collaborative approach to KNECT.

Lee Harris

Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (FPRINZ), Accredited in Public Relations (APR)

Lee has more than 35 years’ experience across communications, business, stakeholder engagement and community leadership, including senior professional roles, business ownership and local government-related work.

A former journalist and highly experienced public relations and communications professional, Lee currently works with Buller District Council and as a contractor for Environment Southland.

Lee is actively involved in numerous community and resilience-focused initiatives, including Promoting Buller, the Punakaiki Progressive Association, Coast Road Resilience Group, Buller Incident Management Group, Community Voice, the Punakaiki Community Facility Working Group and the Woodpecker Bay Civil Defence Group.

Since arriving in Buller in 2012, Lee has developed a strong connection to the region, its people and its sense of community. Alongside her professional expertise in communication and engagement, she offers the KNECT team a practical understanding of community resilience, collaboration and local advocacy.

Pat Griffin

BEd; Grad. Dip. Leading Change for Good; MEd. Organisational Change and Resilience

Pat holds experience across education, environmental stewardship and community wellbeing, with a strong focus on helping young people connect meaningfully with the natural world.

A registered teacher, founder and lead teacher of The Nurture School and Trustee of Te Reo o Te Taiohi Trust, Pat combines educational leadership with hands-on experience as a former Department of Conservation Ranger. Pat’s work is grounded in creating learning environments that strengthen resilience, curiosity, environmental awareness and connection to place.

Pat is enthusiastic about supporting young people to learn from and care for the world around them and believes strong communities are built through connection, participation and shared responsibility for the environment. He values the opportunity KNECT provides to work alongside others committed to creating positive, long-term outcomes for both people and place across Buller Kawatiri.

Richard Nichol

BSc (Hons) Zoology

Richard brings over 35 years’ experience in ecology, much of it based on Te Tai Poutini West Coast, alongside governance experience and practical business leadership as a business and restaurant owner.

Holding a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Zoology, Richard has long been involved in community-led environmental and recreational initiatives across the Buller region. He is a former President of the Buller Cycling Club and is involved with the Carters Beach Reserves Subcommittee. Richard played a key role in the development of Westport’s river and beach cycle trail network, helping inspire the wider vision that eventually led to the establishment of KNECT.

Committed to leaving a positive legacy for both the community and the local environment, Richard brings a strong ecological perspective and long-term commitment to KNECT’s work across the region.

Sacha Healey

Bachelor in Psychology and Education

Originally from Banks Peninsula and now based in Karamea, Sacha is deeply connected to local food, community resilience and the natural environment of Te Tai Poutini West Coast.

With experience across community initiatives, environmental projects and local advocacy, Sacha joined KNECT with a strong belief in the power of collaboration to help communities thrive. She is particularly interested in strengthening local connections, supporting sustainable food systems and helping create positive long-term outcomes for the wider Buller district.

Scott Freeman

PhD (Environmental Management), Master Resource Studies (Hons 1), Batchelor Resource Studies.

Scott draws on more than two decades of experience in conservation and environmental work across the Buller region, with expertise in ecology, biodiversity management and environmental planning.

With a Doctorate in Ecology, and now working as a Senior Biodiversity Ranger with the Department of Conservation, Scott has extensive experience supporting the protection and management of significant natural environments and species across Te Tai Poutini West Coast. His scientific knowledge and practical field experience bring valuable environmental insight to KNECT’s restoration and conservation initiatives.

Living just outside Westport with his family, Scott has a strong personal connection to the landscapes and ecosystems of the region and enjoys spending time in the ocean and mountains that make Buller Kawatiri such a unique place to live and work.