INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP: PART 1: MANA WHAKAHAERE (GOVERNANCE)
Mereana Taungapeau
Operations Manager – Taiao Unit, Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust
Co-Chair – Te Ama | Aukaha Te Wai SIG, Water NZ
Mereana Taungapeau is a Māori environmental strategist and advocate. She currently serves as Operations Manager of the Taiao Unit at the Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust, where she leads a team to deliver kaupapa Māori initiatives in marine protection, freshwater restoration, and climate resilience across the rohe.
Her career includes senior advisory roles in local government, notably as Senior Māori Advisor at Healthy Waters (Auckland Council) and Principal Māori Advisor at Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). In these roles, Mereana championed the integration of Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori in local government, infrastructure planning, stormwater management, and national water reform.
Mereana is also the Co-Chair of Te Ama | Aukaha Te Wai, a Special Interest Group within Water NZ that drives sector-wide transformation by embedding Te Ao Māori into design and delivery, while championing cultural capability and fostering collaborative partnerships.
Guided by the principles of kaitiakitanga, mana whenua leadership, and intergenerational wellbeing, Mereana brings a strong and authentic perspective to environmental governance and water sector innovation and transformation.
Gabrielle Huria
Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri
Gabrielle Huria is the Chief Executive of Te Kura Taka Pini – the Ngāi Tahu company set up to work strategically with freshwater in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā/ tribal area. Mahinga Kai (mutton birding, whitebaiting, eeling) is integral to Gabrielle’s world view, driving a commitment to improving water quality and quantity. She has an extensive background in governance and tribal development.
In addition to her role as Chief Executive, Gabrielle is a member of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre Advisory Board. Prior to her current role, Gabrielle was Principal Advisor for Christchurch City Council, Chair of the University Digital Screen Advisory Board and the inaugural Chair of Emerge Aotearoa. In 2018 she received her MNZM for services to Māori and governance.
Leslie (Phil) Duncan
Professor Leslie (Phil) Duncan is from Moree New South Wales and is a member of the Gomeroi Nation and his homelands are Moree and Terry Hie Hie. Phil has extensive experience working with Aboriginal people and government to improve the lives of Aboriginal people through recognition of our rich cultural history, the return of our lands, the improvement of our living conditions and education of our next generation through both his employment and active volunteer community work. Phil provides high level policy and strategic advice and leadership to key Indigenous Representative Organisations, Universities, State and Federal government agencies as well as key external stakeholder groups. His strategic advice, leadership and engagement is around issues of culture and heritage significance, community engagement in on-ground projects, as well as the design, delivery and implementation of programs in partnership with government. Phil has made significant contributions in a variety of domains from education and organisational reconciliation action through to areas of focus such as natural resource management, freshwater river management, forestry, native fish, water rights and allocations.
Phil is extremely passionate about promoting greater partnerships and collaborations using two way knowledge exchanges and enhancing the voices of Traditional Owners in land and water management via the integration of Cultural Science into the Western Scientific frameworks and models.
Susheel Arora
Susheel Arora serves as the CEO of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA), spearheading Canada’s first Indigenous-owned and operated water and wastewater service organization. He was instrumental in establishing the Governance and Operations framework for this groundbreaking model, addressing the longstanding inadequacies in water and wastewater services for First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada. His leadership is driving a transformative governance structure that challenges and reshapes a system that has been in place for over 150 years. This model embodies the First Nations’ pursuit of self-determination and control over a vital resource essential for public health and environmental protection.
Under this visionary governance framework, AFNWA has made remarkable strides within just two years, enhancing infrastructure, water quality, and wastewater services across member communities. The organization is actively engaged in several industry-recognized programs and initiatives designed to further elevate the quality of life in member Nations, ensuring resilient and sustainable services for future generations.
Previously, Susheel held the role of Director of Operations at Halifax Water, where he gained over 20 years of experience in water management. During his tenure, he led the One Water initiative, a holistic approach to wastewater and stormwater collection, water distribution, treatment, and biosolids management in the Halifax region, advocating for the integrated value of water systems.
Susheel is also deeply involved in broader utility initiatives such as Integrated Resource Planning, IT Master Planning, Rate Making, Asset Management, and Capital Planning. A dedicated professional, he is a member of Engineers Nova Scotia and holds two master’s degrees—one in Environmental Engineering and another in Applied Sciences. He further refined his leadership acumen through the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Committed to advancing the water and wastewater sector, Susheel actively contributes to organizations such as the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the International Water Association (IWA). His participation in national committees and expert panels reflects his commitment to shaping industry advancements.
A steadfast advocate for First Nations water issues and the “One Water” approach, Susheel champions holistic, sustainable water management and efficient service delivery, striving to create meaningful and lasting change in the field.
Susan Bell Chiblow
Dr. Susan (Sue) Bell Chiblow is Anishinaabe, born and raised in Garden River First Nation. She has worked extensively with First Nation communities for the last 35 years in environmental related fields. Sue has a B.Sc. in Biology, M.Sc. in Environment and Management, and her PhD in Environmental Science with a focus on N’bi Kendaaswin (Water Knowledge). Sue is a Vanier Scholar and Assistant Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. She has been appointed as a Commissioner by Canada to the International Joint Commission in January 2024.
Sue loves being on the water and you will often find her in the bush harvesting.
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP: PART 2: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Donna Sutherland
Dr Donna Sutherland is a Water Quality and Aquatic Pollution Scientist, whose research interests include the prevention, reduction and remediation of anthropogenic pollutant impacts on water quality, water resources and ecosystem health. With a career spanning over 20 years, Donna has extensive expertise and experience in freshwater management and aquatic pollution, having worked across a wide range of waterscapes, from the most pristine waterways of Antarctica to the most degraded waterways of New Zealand. Dr Sutherland is an internationally recognised expert on bioremediation, with over 50 Q1 scientific publications on freshwater management and aquatic pollution bioremediation and is currently ranked in the top 2% of scientists, worldwide for the past three years. In her role as Tohunga o te Wai at Te Kura Taka Pini, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Donna works with Papatipu Rūnanga to support their aspirations for the restoration, rejuvenation and protection of wai māori across the takiwā.
Jordin Payne
Nimanburr – Principal Aboriginal Community Relationships – Advocate for Cultural Sovereignty and Systems Reform
Jordin Payne is a dynamic public relations and community engagement specialist with a strong reputation for championing sovereignty, Aboriginal leadership, and systemic reform in corporate and government spaces. With over a decade of experience navigating complex stakeholder environments, Jordin brings deep insight into building authentic, values-led relationships between organisations, Aboriginal communities, and representative bodies.
A strategic communicator and trusted advisor, Jordin is known for centring Aboriginal knowledge systems, challenging institutional norms, and embedding culturally informed practices into the heart of decision-making. Her work has shaped corporate strategy, influenced policy, and empowered Aboriginal voices across sectors including water, energy, and infrastructure.
Jordin’s impact is driven by her unwavering commitment to truth-telling, accountability, and cross-cultural intelligence with integrity and purpose.
Te Kīpa Kēpa Brian Morgan
Dr Kēpa Morgan is a Professional Engineer and Pou Hautū (Managing Director) of Mahi Maioro Professionals Limited (www.maurimodel.nz), a life member of Te Mana Kiwi, and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand. His company was recognised with the 2025 Te Toa Takitahi ENVI award. Kēpa’s team combine mōhiotanga (Indigenous Knowledge), science, and engineering technologies to evaluate ecosystem impacts using the mauri0meter, a tool he created during his doctoral research. Their contribution includes the creation of monitoring systems for communicating change in Te mauri o te Wai (life-supporting capacity of water), mauriora of Iwi and Hapū (Indigenous Peoples well-being), and evaluating infrastructure belonging (quantification of cumulative impacts resulting from infrastructure and other environmental engineering challenges). Kēpa’s Mauri Model is a world-leading decision making framework that has been acknowledged by the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ with their Supreme Technical Award for Engineering – Furkert Award for Sustainability and Clean Technology.
Delma O’Kane-Farrell
Kaitakawaenga (Engagement & Relationships Lead)
Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
Delma O’Kane-Farrell is the Kaitakawaenga for Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, a role that spans iwi partnerships, environmental restoration, cultural strategy, and community engagement. Her work is grounded in the principle of Manuhiritanga — ensuring the voice, values, and aspirations of Ngāti Manuhiri are reflected across the many spaces where the Trust is active.
Her portfolio includes the operational delivery of large-scale environmental projects, such as the restoration of Aotearoa’s largest shellfish bed, and supporting the establishment of the Trust’s dedicated marine team. Delma contributes to the development of strategic priorities, helps secure key partnerships, and supports the implementation of initiatives across Te Moana Nui ā Toi, with a focus on restoration, surveillance, and kaupapa Māori practice.
She represents Ngāti Manuhiri at both regional and national levels — including as lead technician within the National Iwi Chairs Forum, and was the Regional Coordinator for Waipuna ā Rangi, the mana whenua representative rōpū advising on the Government’s three waters reform programme. She also contributes in a technical capacity to the Hauraki Gulf Forum, bringing a kaupapa Māori perspective to marine governance.
A strong advocate for Indigenous-led systems and mātauranga Māori, Delma is a practitioner of the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) and contributes to the translocation and care of taonga species in alignment with tikanga. This includes hihi / stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta), kiwi (Apteryx spp.), wētāpunga / giant wētā (Deinacrida heteracantha), tīeke / saddleback (Philesturnus spp.), and kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus).
Delma’s approach is grounded in whakapapa and guided by responsibility — upholding the Trust’s values while helping to shape outcomes that restore ecosystems and protect taonga for generations to come.
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP: PART 3: RESILIENCE
Soltice Morrison
(Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue; Tainui, Ngāti Rereahu-Maniapoto)
Pou Rautaki Māori – Māori Strategy Lead at Aurecon | Environmental Te Taiao Ambassador
As Pou Rautaki Māori – Māori Strategy Lead at Aurecon, Soltice provides leadership to the integration of te ao Māori values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships across design, engineering, and advisory projects. Her technical background as a Geologist, Contaminated Land Practitioner, and Environmental Research Scientist enables her to navigate both technical and cultural complexities. She has ranging consultancy, research and advisory experience weaving Māori knowledge systems with technical delivery.
Recognised as a Next Generation Leader finalist at the Infrastructure NZ Building Nations Awards and one of ‘25 Trailblazing Women’ by YWCA Aotearoa NZ, Soltice also contributes to iwi and Māori advisory boards and advocates for environmental protection as a BLAKE Ambassador. Soltice strives to support Water New Zealand Board with the integration of te ao Māori values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to deliver the Towards 2050: Transformation Vision for the Water Sector.
Corey Hebberd
Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Atiawa o Te Waka a Māui
Corey Hebberd is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua (Chief Executive) of Rangitāne o Wairau, the iwi authority representing the people of Rangitāne in Te Waipounamu. Corey leads the Rangitāne Group, spanning a portfolio of cultural, environmental, social and commercial kaupapa, and is deeply involved in shaping iwi–Crown relationships, advocating for iwi interests across local and central government.
He sits on a range of governance bodies, including Maara Moana, Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu, Ka Uruora and Utilities Disputes. Corey is also the Chair of Manu Ora, a low-cost kaupapa Māori general practice. He has helped deliver one of the region’s largest iwi-led housing projects and has spearheaded the development of key Rangitāne strategy and planning documents.
A proud advocate for rangatahi leadership, Corey is one of the youngest iwi Chief Executives in the country and is committed to disrupting the status quo to ensure Māori voices are embedded in systems and decisions that shape Aotearoa. He brings a bold, pragmatic and values-driven approach to leadership, grounded in mana motuhake and intergenerational wellbeing.
Nina Braid
Nina is an Aboriginal woman from far-north South Australia. She has over 15 years’ experience working in and with communities for conservation and environmental purposes, including as a project manager at the Indigenous Land Corporation. She also brings a wealth of experience from her roles with AFL SportsReady, Red Dust Role Models and National Indigenous Pastoral Enterprises. Nina is currently working as the Aboriginal Partnerships Manager with Yarra Valley Water and the 2022 Victorian Water Professional of the Year. Nina is also currently deputy chair of Trust for Nature and director for the Australian Water Association..
Nancy Tuaine
Kaihautū – CEO, Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui. The Whanganui Iwi entity responsible for the promotion and protection of the health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua. Te Awa Tupua the indivisible and living whole comprising the Whanganui River from the mountains to the sea.
Nancy has over twenty-five years of experience working for the Whanganui River and her iwi including as a negotiator in the Whanganui River Claims settlement that achieved Te Awa Tupua Act 2017. The first act to grant legal personhood to a river in New Zealand and enshrine Iwi values related to a river in legislation. Nancy has participated in numerous freshwater reforms in New Zealand since 2008 alongside other iwi championing indigenous leadership in the protection of the health and wellbeing of wai, water.
Nicola Rata-MacDonald MNZM
Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive) Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
A dedicated conservationist, Nicola led the deployment of the world’s largest shellfish bed restoration (150 tonnes of mussels) in The Hauraki Gulf, has participated in and planted over over 350,000 trees in the Mahurangi to combat the impacts of climate change, and is a co-researcher on mātauranga Māori methods to use natural fibres replacing plastic ropes used for mussel spat.
Nicola’s drive to tackle issues head on attracts people to join her in combating threats to te taiao, particularly her leadership in facing the invasion of the exotic caulerpa seaweed where she enlisted experts from California to help address this issue.
Nicola is Co-Chair of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, the statutory body responsible for promoting the conservation and management of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park – New Zealand’s first and largest Marine Park.
In 2024, Nicola was named the New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year, and in 2025 was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the environment.
Grounded in te ao Māori, Nicola’s leadership consistently demonstrates her dedication to tangata whenua (indigenous people) and maintaining the balance between our cultural heritage and the natural world.
UTILITY WORKSHOP
Adam Lovell
Adam is the Executive Director of WSAA, a position he commenced in 2011 after starting his career in water at Anglian Water in the UK and then returning to Australia and managing research and innovation at Sydney Water.
Adam provides national leadership in policy positions for the Australian urban water sector on various issues including industry reform, water quality, climate change and customer engagement. Adam is on the Board for the Global Water Research Coalition.
Ir. Azlan Abdullah
Ir. Azlan Abdullah has been Head of Production at Pengurusan Air Selangor Berhad since October 2021, bringing over 25 years of experience in utilities, water, and engineering. A Brown University civil engineering graduate, he is a Professional Engineer (BEM), Chartered Engineer (UK), Chartered Marine Engineer, and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer. His career spans senior roles at Air Selangor, Malaysia Airlines, UEM Group, SapuraKencana Petroleum, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Key achievements include leading reliable water supply for 9.62 million consumers, introducing performance metrics such as Water Interruption Index and Modified Water Quality Index, delivering UEM’s Technical Competency Framework, and managing RM5 billion offshore installation contracts.
Yi-Fung Wang
Dr Yi-Fung Wang is a civil servant who became Deputy Director General of Water Resources Agency in Taiwan since Jan. 28, 2011. He is also the Board member of Taiwan Water Corporation, the Chairman of Taiwan Water Industry Development & Promotion Association.
Dr Yi-Fung Wang has an intimate knowledge of governance policy planning in water resources management and water utility management. From 1997 to 2006, he was the section chief of water policy & law, Water resources Agency in Taiwan. He initiated the new Conservation and Feedback articles in Tap Water Act for Water Conservation Area to balance conflicts between development & conservation.
Wang’s hydraulic engineering degree is from the National Cheng Kung University, and his Civil Engineering Master & PhD degree from Civil Engineering Graduate School of National Taiwan University.
