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.