Committee
Chair
Selene Conn, Tonkin & Taylor, Tauranga
Selene is a fluvial geomorphologist at Tonkin & Taylor based in the Tauranga office. With over eight years’ experience, Selene specialises in geomorphic condition assessments of waterways, evolutionary trajectory assessments of river systems, compliance monitoring and development of prioritisation frameworks for river restoration in both New Zealand and Australia. Selene’s focus has been on combining catchment and/or reach scale geomorphic processes with vegetation dynamics, especially in modified landscapes. Selene has been a member of the Rivers Group since its inception, and recently joined the committee with a focus on developing and delivering regional events.
Members
Kyle Christensen, Christensen Consulting Limited
Kyle is an Independent Consultant with over 15 years’ experience in River and Stormwater Engineering. He has a Bachelor of Natural Resources Engineering as well as a Masters of Engineering specialising in the interaction of river control works and morphological processes in river systems. Kyle is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a practice area assessor for Engineering New Zealand. Kyle is passionate about integrating geomorphology and engineering in the development of long term sustainable solutions for river management.
Amber Nicholson, Auckland University of Technology
Amber Nicholson (Ngāruahine) is a lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology in the Management Department, having previously worked for ten years as an affiliate to of the Mira Szászy Research Centre for Māori and Pacific Economic Development, University of Auckland. Amber’s research explores ways to enhance wellbeing through recognising and honouring the ancestral landscapes in which business operates. Amber focus on the committee is to assist in the strategy to meet the Rivers Group key objective #5 “to assist in the integration of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Mana o te Wai in best practice river management.”
Jon Bell, Horizons Regional Council
Jon leads the Investigations and Design team at Horizons Regional Council. He holds a Masters of Civil Engineering and has an interest in Environmental and Open Channel Hydraulics. Jon has over 10 years of professional experience in river engineering; with a focus on hydraulic modelling and the design of flood protection and erosion control works. He is passionate about working with rivers to deliver sustainable solutions to meet the needs of society.
Philip Wallace, River Edge Consulting Ltd
Philip Wallace is a consulting engineer specialising in flood hazard modelling and investigations. He has over 30 years of experience in river engineering , river modelling and in floodplain management policy. Previously he has worked for the Wellington Regional Council, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Wellington City Council and a range of consultancies. During his career, he has developed models for many river systems throughout New Zealand. He holds a BE (Hons) degree in civil engineering from the University of Auckland and an MSc (Hons) degree in resource management from the University of Canterbury. As well as having a professional fascination with rivers, he values the role that river environments have as places of beauty and recreation.
Amanda Death, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Having grown up around a freshwater ecologist, Amanda has freshwater running through her veins. From a young age she would assist with teaching students about the various aspects of river management, which has now developed into a full time role for her as an environmental planner for the flood protection department at Greater Wellington Regional Council. She has also picked up geological, geomorphological and emergency management skills and knowledge through studying at university and working for an emergency management group. Amanda’s current role involves plenty of engagement with members of the community on various issues, opportunities and document consultation in relation to local river corridors, as well as providing assistance in the development of different plans such as local planting plans or large floodplain management plans.
Ian Fuller, Massey University
Ian is Professor in Physical Geography at Massey University in Palmerston North, where he co-directs the Innovative River Solutions group and has been based since 2003. His research in fluvial geomorphology provides an integrated understanding of river systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales. He has completed numerous projects for stakeholders in river management and worked in catchments throughout New Zealand, as well as the UK and Europe. Prior to arriving in New Zealand, Ian completed his PhD at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1996, which was followed by a lectureship in Physical Geography at Northumbria University. He is passionate about educating students in NZ’s rivers and linking geomorphology with river management.
Markus Pahlow, University of Canterbury
Markus is a lecturer in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at University of Canterbury. Before joining UC Markus has worked in the Netherlands, Germany, USA and Ireland, both in academia and the industry. His teaching covers hydrology, hydraulics, water resources engineering and integrated engineering design. His research aims at developing and maintaining resilient and sustainable water resources systems.
Jacqui McCord, Morphum Environmental
Jacqui is a geomorphologist working for Morphum Environmental in Auckland. She previously worked for 10 years in the engineering geology field before finding her passion for rivers. Jacqui specialises in geomorphic river assessment and river restoration, in combination with her geological background in soil and rock assessment, and slope stability analysis. Jacqui is currently studying towards a BSc (Hons) in Earth Science, focussing on geomorphology and earth processes. When not working or studying, Jacqui loves to go and explore the countries rivers, especially with a camera in hand.
Hamish Smith, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Hamish is a Senior Engineer in the Investigations, Planning and Strategy Team within the Flood Protection Department at Greater Wellington Regional Council. As the River Group’s Events Coordinator he is responsible for delivering value to members, through facilitating regular events and training. Hamish has a wide range of experience in river management, stormwater, flood risk and web development. His current areas of interest are flood response and flood risk, and his favourite projects include bringing together expertise from a range of disciplines including planning, geomorphology, hydrology, engineering ecology and landscape design.
Richard Measures, NIWA
Richard is an engineer/scientist in the Sediment Processes group at NIWA Christchurch. Richard enjoys trying to understand river behaviour and is easily distracted by the many interesting challenges affecting NZ rivers. His research and consultancy experience includes morphodynamic modelling of rivers, flood mapping and forecasting, river/coast interaction, artificial flushing flows and the impacts of flow regime change. Richard joined the Rivers Group committee in 2020.
Clare Wilkinson, Tonkin & Taylor
Clare Wilkinson is a fluvial geomorphologist at Tonkin & Taylor. She has joined the Rivers Group committee as the Young Professionals Coordinator, with the aim of connecting industry practitioners and consultants with bright young minds at universities. Clare completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury. Her research involved braiding mātauranga Māori and fluvial geomorphology to better understand landscape response to major disturbances, such as earthquakes. Clare is excited to assist with building connections between university and industry leaders in the river management space.