MEET THE board

Aneika Young

Director

Growing up in Motueka, Aneika has actively worked as a kaitiaki in the Abel Tasman National Park for much of her life. She joined the board in 2021 and brings the mana whenua voice to the table, ensuring iwi kaitiaki are part of the management of the national park and increasing cultural understanding across all levels.

Aneika has iwi affiliations with Ngāti Rārua (ki Motueka), Te Ātiawa (ki Te Taiihu), Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Waikato Tainui. She has a BSc in Environmental Studies and Māori Resource Management, a Masters in Environmental Studies from Victoria University and also spent nearly ten years as a guide in the Abel Tasman.

Her life and work is entwined with te taiao (the natural world). Aneika is an environmental consultant supporting iwi in RMA matters and works part-time as a Kaiāwhina Māori/Māori Cultural Advisor and environmental scientist and researcher for Cawthron Institute. She represents NRAIT as a Director for Tiakina te Taiao, is on the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board and Kaiteretere Recreation Board, and provides cultural advice for the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust. Aneika is also a Trustee for Te Āwhina Marae.

The Abel Tasman National Park is seen as a taonga for iwi who whakapapa to the area and the park has many wāhi tapu and culturally significant sites. Aneika is keen to see taonga species once again thrive and with so many inspiring environmental projects in the region she believes it makes sense to have a Te Ao Māori holistic view, with projects working collaboratively to ensure the environment is restored for future generations.

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