About KNECT
WhatWe Do
What We Do
KNECT is a Charitable Trust that exists to enable positive and sustainable outcomes for people and nature across the Buller Kawatiri via the connections it makes and the work it supports and delivers. Formed in 2022, KNECT is founded on the knowledge that our community already has many of the answers to the challenges we face.
Our role is to amplify these answers by offering an umbrella structure to streamline and connect other groups’ work, as well as pursuing key projects ourselves.
KNECT was founded by 11 Kawatiri locals, comprising scientists, engineers, planners, teachers, and business professionals. Our strength lies in our connections with a broad range of organisations, projects, and initiatives across Buller, united in our efforts to support our communities and our natural environment.
WhoWe Are
Who We Are
Di Rossiter
Sacha, KNECT’s word professor, refers to me as the crazy octopus lady and I’ve decided to take that as a compliment. Yes, I take on a bit too much sometimes, but I do this because I care deeply about the natural world (and people…most of the time). My background is in science, but I prefer science fiction books for their ability to accurately predict the future. My all-time favourite book is the Princess Bride, I have an extraordinary husband and two pretty nutty kids, and I love the smell of oranges. My least favourite thing is selling myself.
Glenn Irving
I’ve lived a double life either engineering or helping people experience the great outdoors, which has resulted in me always looking for new ways to enable people to spend time in this incredible country of ours. I’ve been in Westport for over 20 years because I love the place, its people and the opportunities it provides to do good stuff. My happy place is in the hills as this where I can see the world as it is meant to be and be inspired about what we can do to look after this planet of ours. I look forward to seeing where the KNECT journey takes us in years to come.
Jason Sellaiah
My partner and I have long been captivated by the rugged beauty of the West Coast, a place we’ve proudly made our home alongside our two daughters. With a deep love for this mighty wilderness, I’m committed to helping preserve the Buller district’s wild and untouched beauty for future generations. Being part of a passionate team that cherishes our environment brings me immense joy. One of my most treasured moments here was when a South Island Robin/Kakaruwai landed on my shoulder, introducing himself as I explored the native greenscape.
Jesse Paley-Atkins
Kia Ora! My name is Jesse Paley-Atkins. Born and bred in the northern Buller, and now raising a young family of my own, I couldn’t love this place more. Appreciation of the area, and the people that call it home have motivated me to become involved in KNECT. Having the opportunity to engage with our fantastic community, creating and supporting positive change for our region is an absolute privilege.
Jo Howard
I’ve lived in the Buller for over 40 years so know the place well. Retail and management is my background so I bring plenty of experience and knowledge from the business world to the trust. I’m involved in too many community groups to count, and am now in my second term as a Buller District councillor. I love working with communities, addressing complex problems and developing strategies for the betterment of the Buller District and its people.
Pat Griffin
Morena!
What inspires me is the opportunity to help young people learn and enjoy this world as much as I do. I also love seeing people look after our environment and make it a better place for all. Being part of KNECT has been a great way to be motivated by a group of fantastic people doing awesome things for our community and also being able to contribute to some of this work.
Rebecca Inwood
I am an environmental planner working from home (near Reefton) along with doing a bit of farming on the side. Through my planning work, I have been involved in many different projects in the Buller and have seen first hand the difference these can make to our communities and environment. I was bought into the Trust through my work connections with Di and Glenn who are passionate campaigners for the District.
Richard Nichol
As president of the Buller Cycling Club, and having completed our first phase of work building the network of cycle trails along Wesport’s river and beach, the ongoing work of enhancing our local environment for locals and visitors to appreciate remained. This helped sow the seed for setting up a trust that would include projects to help leave a lasting and positive legacy for our community and our local environment. As an ecologist I felt that I had something to contribute in this regard and I’m excited to be a part of the KNECT team.
Sacha Healey
I get out of bed in the morning to feed my menagerie and wander in the morning-fresh garden. Originally from Banks Peninsula, I’m passionate about local food and the glorious greenery of the West Coast. I joined KNECT because I want Karamea to thrive, and believe working effectively and efficiently together across our District can boost what individual champions can do alone.
Scott Freeman
I have been involved in conservation and environmental work in the Buller for
over two decades. I live with my family just outside Westport and enjoy getting out into the ocean and mountains.
WhereWe Work
Where We Work
KNECT’s supports projects across the Buller region on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, which includes the areas of Westport, Reefton, Punakaiki, Karamea and the many other small places that make up the region.
If you have an existing project in the Buller region that we can support, are a business that would like to contribute to our projects, or you would like to have a chat about your ideas, please get in touch.
