The Next ChapterCEO – Ana Christmas Handing Over the Reins with Gratitude and Confidence
After two transformative years at the helm of The Forest Bridge Trust, I am transitioning into a new role as Strategic Advisor on the Board. It has been an incredible privilege to lead this values-driven organisation through a period of growth and change. Together, we’ve weathered challenges, expanded our reach across North Rodney, and made significant progress in our mission to protect and restore our natural ecosystems.
As I reflect on this journey, my heart is full of appreciation for the extraordinary team and community we are part of. From the outset, we’ve anchored our work in the values of integrity, empathy, and respect —principles that have shaped our vision and our impact.
Together, we have:
- Refreshed our strategic plan and created guiding pillars to anchor our work and express our Impact for our communities.
- Taken significant steps to review and update our internal systems, strengthening the backend of our operations to ensure sustainability, efficiency, and continued growth in support of our mission.
- Reinvigorated our commitment to Te Ao Māori and the important partnerships with local Iwi, interweaving te reo Māori and tikanga learning, and gratefully acknowledge the gift of our te reo Māori name, Ngāhere Whakawhiti, from Matua Haahi Walker through his daughter Rewana.
- Secured key partnerships and grants, including multi-year funding from the Department of Conservation, Auckland Council’s Community Coordination and Facilitation / Regional Enviroment and Nature Heritage Fund, as well as support from the Rodney Local Board to strengthen our predator control and kiwi protection efforts.
We’ve brought innovative ideas to life, embracing new technologies, exploring partnerships, and advancing our fee-for-service offerings to create sustainable revenue streams. Our commitment to Te Ao Māori has deepened our own identity and strengthened our leadership capabilities.
A cornerstone of this journey has been our enduring partnership with Save the Kiwi. Together, we’ve created a connected landscape of protected habitats spanning from the west to the east coast, bringing 54,000 hectares and over 1,000 landowners together in coordinated predator control. Over the past five years, we’ve worked alongside more than 60 community groups and schools, collectively removing thousands of pests and supporting the recovery of kiwi populations.
We are excited to announce the continued support of the Rodney Local Board, who have committed to helping us maintain these hard-won gains. Their support will enable us to further assist landowners and community groups working to protect vital kiwi buffer zones across Rodney, while continuing our Kiwi Aversion Training programme for dogs — an essential component of our predator control efforts.
The Forest Bridge Trust is also honoured to be the recipient of a successful multi-year grant from Auckland Council’s Community Coordination and Facilitation / Regional Enviroment and Nature Heritage Fund (CCF), supporting the Rodney Ecological Habitat Network (REHN). This funding will help expand our targeted predator control and biodiversity restoration initiatives across North Rodney.
Looking forward, we are excited to begin a new partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and a dedicated group of stakeholders in South Head. This collaboration will focus on restoring native ecosystems that support the protection of tara iti (fairy tern) buffer zones, matuku (bittern) habitats, and pāteke (brown teal) sites.
Our Kaipara Moana Remediation partnership continues to go from strength to strength, with three dedicated fencing and planting advisors now supporting landowners on the ground for this important and critical work.
Additionally, Auckland Council’s support has enabled us to deliver workshops, expand our Celium remote trapping network, and increase biodiversity protection across private lands. With the support of our partners— including Foundation North, Rotary, and our many generous donors and community groups—we’ve laid a strong foundation for the next chapter of the Trust’s journey.
It is with deep gratitude that I now pass the baton of leadership to two outstanding General Managers — Matu Booth and Michelle Worth.
Matu brings a unique combination of conservation insight, enthusiasm, and people development expertise. His infectious energy inspires others to embrace new possibilities and take bold steps forward.
Michelle’s thoughtful, strategic approach provides a grounding presence within the organisation. She excels at aligning resources with our mission and nurturing the growth of those around her, ensuring that we continue to make a lasting impact.
Together, Matu and Michelle bring complementary strengths that will guide the Trust into this new era.
I am also delighted to announce Helen Jamieson as our new Project Manager and Paula Griffin as our new Fundraising and Partnerships Lead.
Helen, as our new Project Manager, will be leading the South Head DOC partnership and our expanding fee-for-service offering. With a deep commitment to learning and continuous improvement, Helen brings intellectual rigour, curiosity, and strategic insight to every project. She’s a thoughtful and empathetic leader who builds strong, trust-based relationships and aligns the unique strengths of her team to deliver high-quality outcomes. Helen is passionate about supporting landowners to achieve their biodiversity goals. If you’re interested in tailored restoration services for your property, contact Helen today for a quote or to discuss how we can help.
Paula, a certified Kiwi Handler with a background in elite sport, brings discipline, purpose, and drive to her work. Her strategic thinking, values-based leadership, and ability to turn ideas into action make her a powerful connector between mission and investment. Paula understands the importance of building authentic, long-term relationships and aligning shared goals for meaningful impact. With a passion for conservation and community wellbeing, she is committed to creating partnerships that deliver value for both people and planet. To explore sponsorship or partnership opportunities, please reach out to Paula.
These talented leaders bring purpose and discipline to their work, and their commitment to advancing our mission will be invaluable as we move forward.
As I transition into my new role, I remain fully committed to the success of the Trust. This journey has been as deeply personal as it has been professional, and I continue to be inspired by the incredible work of this team.
To our landowners, supporters, partners, and friends—ngāmihi nui. I look forward to supporting Matu and Michelle from a governance perspective as they lead The Forest Bridge Trust into its next chapter.
As the whakataukī reminds us:
“Toitū te whenua, whatungarongaro te tangata.”– The land remains, while people come and go. –
May we continue to honour the land that connects us all and protect what endures.
With warm regards,
Ana Christmas
Kaiwhakahaere |Outgoing CEO |Strategic Advisor
The Forest Bridge Trust