Alistair Kwan is an academic and technical editor and writer with a background in physics, mathematics, history, art history and education, and works extensively also in architecture, urban planning, dentistry, AI, engineering, and cultural heritage. He taught at four universities and NMIT, has been a school trustee, and did extensive time on university administrative committees for library, research, academic programmes, and disabilities. Then he developed a brain disorder and is now somewhere in the recovery process. He is still on an editorial board of the International Committee of Museums, where he contributes mostly to museum education matters. He established the bookbinding programme at Yale University’s Davenport College, and sometimes fosters traumatised dogs for Second Chance in Nelson.
Aniquah Stevenson is an art tutor at Magenta Creative Space, a drop-in art studio that supports wellbeing through community and creativity. She previously worked as a Neighbourhood Support coordinator for over five years, helping establish local groups, coordinate community-led events, and connect residents with key services. Aniquah has volunteered as a Resilient Communities sub-group facilitator for Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, is passionate about community development and believes creativity plays a vital role in building a thriving society. She is also part of Valley Coffee, a coffee shop behind Atawhai Four Square that serves as a social hub for the community.
Antoinette Wilson is co-founder and producer at Happen Films, making documentaries with a focus on subjects that encourage us to seek ways of living within planetary boundaries. She is also a part-time editor and production manager in the book publishing industry. She took part in setting up the Wairarapa Timebank some years ago and although that one didn’t find its place at the time, she believes Timebanks can serve a critical role in creating community resilience and connection.
Derek Walker specialized in management systems development (including environmental) in Edinburgh and Sydney, then moved into conservation work and activism with councils, The Wilderness Society, Greenpeace and Transition Bondi. In Whakatu/Nelson he worked for DOC, Brook Waimarama Sanctuary and Nelmac, then organic gardening and retail/service roles, while maintaining a permaculture lifestyle property. Now living in the city he enjoys full moon drumming, Green Drinks and, as a Take The Jump ambassador, he helps people enjoy meaningful climate action whilst reducing his own greenhouse gas emissions. A related sustainability passion is healthy planet, healthy people, including exercise and real food.
Jack Walmisley is a software engineer at the Future Evidence Foundation. They are currently working on the DESTINY project which aims to increase the speed of evidence synthesis in the climate and health disciplines. They manage the website for Tasman Bay Textile ResQ, a volunteer outfit that repairs, repurposes, and upcycles clothing to feed back into the Nelson Tasman Hospice opshops. They’re involved in hosting various Nelson Pride social catch-ups and some local craft nights. Jack is a keen yarn crafter and food preserver who is deeply excited about resilient food systems.
James Moran is an environmental activist who once worked as a psychologist. His current Interests involve protecting land, air and water quality for future generations. While James is kept busy with various community groups including Compost Club, Save Our Springs Te Waikoropupu, Community Art Works and Greenpeace, James hopes to travel to Antarctica this summer with Captain Paul Watson to challenge the ever increasing krill harvest.
John-Paul Pochin is a photographer and digital artist with a background in physics, electronics and computing. John-Paul is active in several environmental groups including Greenpeace and the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum (http://ntcf.nz) where he has been part of the leadership group for five years. John-Paul is passionate about our community and has initiated or helped to initiate several projects aimed at bringing people together to create and strengthen connections. John-Paul was a recipient of the Eelco Boswijk Civic Award ‘Local Hero’ in 2016 and recipient of the Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the Year ‘Local Hero’ award in 2017.
Lisa Bridson is an environmental professional with extensive experience in sustainability, climate adaptation, and community wellbeing. She has worked across government and advisory roles, helping organisations build resilience to climate change while reducing their environmental impact. Lisa’s background in local government governance, and strengthening local networks gives her a strong understanding of how communities can adapt to a changing climate. She has been actively involved in two timebanks in the Hutt Valley and is passionate about practical, people-centred approaches that foster connection and help communities thrive in a low-carbon, resilient future.
Mary Hebberd works as an English tutor for secondary school students, and is involved with a climate activist group. She was also a member of a timebank whilst living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and she has been keen, since moving to Whakatū, for there to be one here.
Syllus Green is originally from the United Kingdom, where he studied chemistry, stood as a councillor and an MP for the Green Party and raised five children. On arriving in Aotearoa in 2018, he lived initially in Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, before moving to Whakatū/Nelson more recently. He lives here with his partner, Mary, and is involved in community projects and activism aimed at improving society now and in the future. He has worked as a business analyst for the last twenty years and currently consults for a software firm based in Canada.
Velma Vermaat is a former academic in the field of computational linguistics who once stood at the edge of the emerging field of Generative AI, but chose a different path. Originally from the Netherlands, she moved to New Zealand 20 years ago and has since focused her personal and working life on community connection and purpose. Her work has taken her from coordinating programmes that help low-income families make their homes warmer and healthier, to running children’s holiday activities, and supporting older people through the process of downsizing. In 2011, she helped found the Wellington Timebank being part of its original steering committee. Now based in Nelson with her daughter, Anahera, she enjoys a balanced life that combines her community values with her part-time role at NMIT supporting research-active tutors.