Project Tongariro 41st AGM Wrap-Up
Saturday, 22 November 2025
Our 2025 Annual General Meeting at Forest & Bird Ruapehu Lodge in Whakapapa Village was a fantastic chance to reflect on the year past and celebrate the people who make our work possible.
We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Davies as our new Chair. Mark brings over 30 years of connection with Project Tongariro, and we’re excited to have his leadership as we continue our conservation and restoration efforts across the region. Huge thanks also to Paul Green, who stepped in as interim President over the past year and continues on the Executive Committee after a nomination from members on the day.
Shawn ‘The Vegetator’ Vennell was recognised with an Honorary Membership for his longstanding contribution to the Greening Taupō project and ongoing care of Wairakei Drive. Finally, we warmly welcomed our Executive Committee members for 2026; Murray Wilson, Karen Grimwade, Lucy Roberts, Shirley Potter, Sarah Carter, Catriona Eagles, Allan McKenzie, Steve Bell, and Paul Green
After the formalities, everyone enjoyed happy hour on the deck, soaking up the last of the sunshine before drawing the famous Adopt a Hectare raffle prizes - kindly donated by Shirley Potter, Frank Katavich, Potton & Burton Publishers, Hazel Phillips Publisher, and more. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised enough to adopt four hectares!
A big thank you also to our guest speakers: Shorty, who shared thoughtful insights on leaving a legacy in your will, and Lesley Mochan, who gave fascinating updates from her “Big Five Monitoring Project” in Zimbabwe.
