Simon Chapman

Principal Ecologist

As one of New Zealand's leading consultant ecologists, Simon has helped get many large and complicated projects across the line over the last 20+ years. From due diligence and feasibility through to design, consenting, construction and compliance, his expertise covers terrestrial, wetland and freshwater ecology. Simon has industry-leading expertise in tricky topics such as lizards, bats, frogs and invertebrates. He is a DOC-authorised top level bat ecologist and he holds several DOC permits for surveying, holding and relocating native lizards. He is a well-regarded peer reviewer and has presented expert evidence at numerous council, Board of Inquiry and Environment Court hearings.

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Dr Mark Bellingham

Principal Ecologist

Mark has 30 years experience in ecology, resource management, planning, project management, and Environment Court evidence.

He is a freshwater and coastal wetland specialist with a strong knowledge of the planning controls under the National Policy Statement on freshwater.

Mark recently led Te Uri o Hikihiki's Environment Court case to prohibit bottom trawling and purse seining off Northland's east coast.

He has worked in private practice as an advisor and consultant to private clients, central and local Government and non-government organisations.

Alvar

Koning

Senior Ecologist

Alvar has 15 years of technical experience in the field of ecology, gained throughout the world including South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Zambia, Madagascar and NZ. Alvar has considerable experience in project management, electrofishing, wetland delineation and classification and ecological classification. Alvar has undertaken numerous international ecological projects and has completed these projects according to the World Bank and IFC standards.

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Jasmine Dungey

Ecologist

Jasmine brings a diverse range of skills from a background that has included ten years in the veterinary industry and 2.5 years in the ecological restoration / environmental services industry. She transferred those skills to her role at Ecology New Zealand, which focuses on ecological field work and reporting. She has since developed strong skills in freshwater ecology in particular, but she works on a wide range of Ecology New Zealand's projects.

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Peter van Loon

Ecologist

Peter joined Ecology NZ in 2021 following five years as a consultant in ecology and arboriculture. He completed an MSc Degree at the University of Auckland where he studied forest regeneration. He has gained a range of skills in ecological assessments, wetland delineation, technical report writing and plant identification, as well as management of small to large projects and creating and maintaining professional relationships with clients, contractors and staff.

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Louisa Copestake

Ecologist

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Louisa has a Postgraduate Diploma in Water Resource Management and a Bachelors Degree in Animal Welfare and Management. She is certified in electrofishing and Stream Ecological Valuation (SEV). She has undertaken freshwater fish identification training and is experienced in MCI and QMCI scoring for aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. Louisa is experienced is assessing wetlands using the MFE protocols as is often required under the Freshwater NPS and NES.

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Chad

Croft

Principal Ecologist

Chad brings over 15 years of experience managing projects and teams across multiple disciplines and industries from urban land development to oil & gas and mining. He has worked with industry, government and private landowners locally and internationally across all phases of development, including planning, construction, operation and closure. Chad has expertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecological inventory and impact assessment as well as mitigation and restoration planning, implementation and monitoring at both local and landscape levels. 

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Marc Choromanski

Senior Ecologist

Marc is a recognised terrestrial ecologist with specialist skills with native fauna. He is an approved bat ecologist under DOC’s bat competency framework (Level 4 / Class D) and holds Wildlife permits to both survey herpetofauna and keep native lizards in captivity. Marc has been involved in a wide range of projects across NZ and abroad, spanning small scale subdivisions, energy and roading projects of national significance. Marc strives to develop practical ecological solutions to enable sustainable development. 

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Kelly Hayhurst

Ecologist

Kelly has experience in terrestrial ecological assessments and evaluation of ecological effects, stakeholder engagement, forest assessment, threatened ecosystem mapping, wetland assessments, ecosystem/vegetation classification and mapping. She has additional experience in technical report writing, desktop ecological surveys, technical consent reviews, literature reviews, watercourse assessments, stream ecological valuations (SEV) and threatened species monitoring and management.

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Jennifer

Gollin 

Ecologist

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Jenny has worked on a wide range of ecological projects across New Zealand. Prior to becoming a a consultant ecologist she was awarded an MSc in Conservation Biology from Massey University and then went on to work as an ecological restoration practitioner. Through her work and studies she has developed substantial expertise in native herpetofauna. Jenny also has a strong practical knowledge of restoration ecology.

Blair Outhwaite

Ecologist

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Since completing his MSc Blair has worked primarily in ecological restoration. He made the move into ecological consulting role with Ecology NZ in 2020. His thesis focused on the ecology of bottlenose dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf, including behaviour and acoustics. Since becoming a consultant ecologist Blair has worked on a wide variety of projects including Ecological Impact Assessments and Management Plans 

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