About Us
Meet the Trustees
We are a community-led organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring
the health and vitality of the Porirua Harbour
Trustees
The Porirua Harbour and Catchment Community Trust was formally established in 2011, its role acknowledged in the Porirua Harbour and Catchment Strategy and Action Plan adopted that same year by fifteen partner agencies. The Trust’s deed was reconstituted in 2020 as a truly independent community organisation. The word “Catchment” in the trust’s title was changed to “Catchments” but the shortform continued to be The Porirua Harbour Trust (PHT).
The trustees are independent community members dedicated to protecting and restoring this treasured environment.
Michael Player
Chairperson
Michael has been a trustee since 2019. He lives in Papakōwhai. A recreational kayaker, paddle boarder, cyclist and walker. Loves planting days around the harbour.
Kathy Stirrat
Trustee
Joined the Trust in 2023. Lives in Paremata and loves watching the ever changing moods of the harbour from her deck. Kathy is an experienced senior manager with diverse skills.
Devina Shetty
Trustee
Devina works as an environmental policy advisor, with experience spanning freshwater investment, hazardous substances policy, and most recently, waste legislation.
Devina is deeply passionate about protecting our waters and actively engaging with local communities.
Christine Jacobson
Trustee
Christine had a long career in conservation, working in both central and local government. She was also a founding member and chairperson of Guardians of Pāuatahanui. Now in Titahi Bay she previously lived on a small farm in Judgeford that included a magnificent area of QEII covenanted bush, and a stretch of Moonshine Stream.
Lindsay Gow
Trustee
Lindsay has had an extensive background in public policy and strategy working as Deputy Secretary for the Environment. He was a founding Trustee of the Te Awarua o Porirua Catchments and Community Trust and is the Chairperson of the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet (GOPI).
Phil Teal
Trustee
Phil has a professional background in ecology and resource management, which helps support and inform the Trust’s technical submissions. He is committed to promoting positive actions to improve the ecosystem health of Porirua Harbour and its catchments, with community awareness playing a key role in driving this momentum.
Saar Cohen-Ronen
Trustee
Saar is the Trust’s treasurer and manages its regulatory compliance.
He specialises in Public Law, enforcement, and litigation.
Saar is an Alcohol Commissioner for Wellington and a panel member of the Porirua District Licensing Committee. He is currently the President of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Law Society.
Christine Stanley
Trustee
Christine has farmed on the northern shores of the Pāuatahanui Inlet for over 40 years. Over the decades, she has closely observed the environmental changes in the Inlet and played an active role in local conservation efforts.
Matt Trlin
Trustee
Matt, a long-time Porirua resident, brings over 30 years’ experience in community engagement, and environment, urban and infrastructure planning and management. Passionate about Te Awarua o Porirua Harbour, its catchment and community, he is committed to fostering awareness, partnerships and action needed to protect and enhance the significant cultural, ecological, and community values the harbour provides.
Ashleigh Sagar
Trustee
Born and raised in Takapūwāhia, Ashleigh (Ngāti Toa Rangatira) has a lifelong connection to TeAwarua o Porirua. Through her work with the Te Mana Taiao team at Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Ashleigh brings together Mātauranga Māori and environmental science to care for and protect the natural world. As a trustee, she is committed to ensuring that Te Awarua o Porirua is restored and thriving, honoring the past while safeguarding the harbour for generations to come.