• Charmaine Bailie

    she/her

    He uri tēnei o Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara. Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapū.

    I’ve been a taiao practitioner working in restoration of diverse ecosystems and ethnobotanical landscapes for the past 30 years and I created Uru Whakaaro to work collaboratively with iwi, and community to support long-term sustainable outcomes. 

    My favourite rākau is the pūriri due to its strength, form and all year round provision for kererū.

  • Mike Wyatt

    he/him

    Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapū, Ko Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara te iwi.

    My role at Uru currently is Operations Manager, but can easily slot into any role when required to.

    Love working on the whenua, with my favourite bird being the kererū for their size and their colours.

  • Ariki Wyatt

    he/him

    Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapū, Ko Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara te iwi.

    I joined Uru Whakaaro in 2022 and have since my role has been in facilitating workshops and Para Kore initiatives, coordinating volunteers and providing overall support across the Uru team.

    My favourite rākau is kauri, due to their mighty, ancient nature and their important role as kōhanga for the tamariki of Tāne Mahuta.

  • Israel Poe

    he/him

    Ko Israel au, O le Aiga a Poe a, Ou te mai mai Faleula.

    I joined the Uru Whakaaro team in January 2025 and I am mainly working in the Para Kore ki Tāmaki space, helping Māori communities through workshops and zero waste initiatives while also learning about our native ecology and ecosystems.

    My favourite rākau is Kahikatea because it’s our tallest native tree and for the role it plays in being a food source and home for our native birds and insects.

  • Jaiya Skipper

    he/him

    Ko Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi me Tainui ngā Waka. Ko kaipara te awa. Ko kaipara te rohe. Ko otamatea te Marea. Ko pukekaroro te maunga. Ko Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara me Ngāi tahuhu ngā iwi. Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapū me Ngāti Ngiro ngā hapu. Ko Haumoewhārangi me Tahu karangarua nga tupuna.

    I joined Uru Whakaaro in February of 2026. My role is to set up the Ariki Street Nursery that will help supply plants for our berm project and serve as a space to host workshops and activities related to urban nurseries. 

    My favorite rākau is Tōtara. Strong and resilient. A vital part in the wider ecosystem Providing both shelter and kai for our beautiful manu.