Behind so much of A Rocha’s mahi are volunteers generously giving their time, skills and hearts to care for God’s creation.

At our 2025 A Rocha Aotearoa National Hui, we took time to celebrate some of the long-term volunteers who have faithfully served across our network. These volunteers have quietly made an extraordinary difference in their communities and areas of expertise over many years.

A heartfelt thank you to some of our longest-standing A Rocha whānau, each with more than 10 years of service. We are deeply grateful for the many faithful people who have helped shape A Rocha Aotearoa over more than a decade. Whether through governance, local group leadership, conservation projects or community initiatives, each person has made a lasting impact. We honour your vision, commitment and generous service.

Each recipient was recognised with a short narrative of their involvement and a small gift of appreciation as a way of saying thank you for their dedication, encouragement and faithful service. While many volunteers prefer to work behind the scenes, their commitment is the foundation on which so much of A Rocha’s work is built.

Recognising volunteers is about more than celebrating individual achievements. It is also about recognising those who invest in building and sustaining communities of volunteers in service. It’s about honouring the spirit of service, strengthening our community, and inspiring others to discover the joy of caring for creation alongside others.

To everyone who volunteers with A Rocha Aotearoa – whether you’ve been involved for decades or have only just begun – thank you. Your time, energy and care are making a real difference by restoring ecosystems, nurturing communities, and bringing hope for creation across Aotearoa.

Congratulations to the following volunteers recognised at our 2025 National Hui:

Foundational Leadership and Governance

• Richard Storey – A Rocha Aotearoa co-founder, long-serving Chair, and trustee until 2020. His leadership helped establish and guide the organisation through its formative years.
• Nicola Hoggard Creegan – One of the original trustees and Chair since 2018, bringing theological depth and steady governance through seasons of growth.
• Philip Church – Faithful treasurer since 2011, stewarding our finances with care and wisdom for many years.
• Terry Parminter – Trustee (2010–2014), and part of the Hamilton and Wellington local group initiative in 2011, supporting early regional engagement.

Regional Group Initiators and Leaders

• Irene Parminter – Part of the Wellington local group initiative team in 2011, sharing in those early grassroots efforts.
• Selwyn Yeoman – Initiated the Dunedin local group in 2012 and is about to hand over the reins to Katie and Zac.
• Keith Young – Started the Palmerston North local group in 2009 and continues to faithfully lead the nursery project there.
• Stephen and Raewyn Pattemore – Part of the Auckland local group initiative team in 2009, bringing energy and wisdom to the mahi from the very beginning.
• John Staniland – Also a founding member of the Auckland group from 2009 and a long-time leader incl with Forest and Bird.
• Sarah Woodfield – A committed member of the Auckland local group since around 2010, contributing consistent leadership and encouragement over many years.
• Anna and Lynton Baird – Joined the Wellington local group in 2011 and went on to lead from 2012. Their work extended to the Oxford Street Community Garden and Eco Church leadership at The Tribe, modelling local sustainability in action in Masterton.
• Richard Noble – Long-time supporter of the Friends of Owhiro Stream, working in partnership with A Rocha Wellington to restore urban waterways.
• Richard and Jean Rhoades – Faithfully stewarding a local Waiau wetland project.
• Helen Bathurst – Active since around 2011, generously offering her time and skills in support of the A Rocha vision.
• Steve Muir – Initiated and led the Christchurch local group from 2009, contributing many years of faithful service before stepping back a few years ago.