Western Bay Wildlife Trust
Western Bay Wildlife Trust is a not for profit conservation organisation dedicated to the protection of wildlife and native ecosystems in the Western Bay of Plenty Region.
The trust has a strong focus on monitoring the kororā (little blue penguin) and ōi (grey-faced petrel) populations based in Mount Maunganui.
Education and advocacy through hands on involvement are core objectives, to encourage and inspire community ownership of our native biodiversity and safeguard it for the future.
Melissa joined the penguin team in 2014 whilst undertaking her Bachelor of Biological Sciences and Animal Behaviour. She has worked with a diverse range of animals through wildlife veterinary nursing and zookeeping and is now driven to protect and enhance the lives of wildlife and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Bachelor of Applied Science Environmental Management, Penguin Researcher, Wildlife Responder Maritime NZ – Rena crisis, Team Leader Mount Penguin Monitoring. Former Chairperson WBWT
![Trustee- Paul Cuming - Paul Cuming comes from a background of seabird research. In his spare time, he has spent a little under 30 years studying the Grey-faced Petrel/Oi on Mauao. His other skills pertaining to all birds are identification, handling, capturing, measuring, banding [ringing], and identifying their songs. A series of talks on bird calls in 2018/9 was carried out, spreading the knowledge of bird calls region-wide. He is also currently Regional Representative for BirdsNZ, a group fostering the study of birds, and helps with running courses for youth on the aforementioned skills. Currently, Paul is the voice behind the 0800 SICK PENGUIN number and operates a small band of volunteers who work in conjunction with the ARRC Vets to ensure Little Penguins are looked out for.](https://nz.rs-cdn.com/site_files/cache/22431/images/page/165e18ffeba3ed76f6b89dc94a6db495_b8f01868c320430b0be8221b46ef6342.jpg)
Paul Cuming comes from a background of seabird research. In his spare time, he has spent a little under 30 years studying the Grey-faced Petrel/Oi on Mauao. His other skills pertaining to all birds are identification, handling, capturing, measuring, banding [ringing], and identifying their songs. A series of talks on bird calls in 2018/9 was carried out, spreading the knowledge of bird calls region-wide. He is also currently Regional Representative for BirdsNZ, a group fostering the study of birds, and helps with running courses for youth on the aforementioned skills. Currently, Paul is the voice behind the 0800 SICK PENGUIN number and operates a small band of volunteers who work in conjunction with the ARRC Vets to ensure Little Penguins are looked out for.
Growing up in Japan, she has seen and experienced the impact of humans on the the natural environment. She soon developed a passion to help save the environment for future generations, which lead her to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management at AUT. Satsuki joined the WBWT team following the Rena Oil Spill and has been a key monitoring team member ever since!
Wildlife Responder Maritime NZ, Rena crisis – Mount Penguin Monitoring team member. Moturiki Island Pest Control Warrior
Anna comes to us with a diverse background in native species, pest control and vegetation management. She has been a key penguin monitoring volunteer since 2019 and goes above and beyond to get tasks done! She's also the leader of our Shorebird monitoring group, Habitat Restoration Leader and is our all important Wellbeing Officer!
Tim has had a life long passion to protect nature for the future.
He has been a Wildlife Conservator of Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary for over 30 years.
In 1993 Tim and wife Debbie placed a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Covenant on their forest sanctuary to protect it forever, and are life members of the QEII National Trust.
Volunteer stoat and rat lines for Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust 2004 - 2014.
Wildlife Responder Maritime NZ Rena Crisis
Wildlife Team Leader, Rena Incident Command Centre
Wildlife Representative, Maritime NZ Rena Crisis Review, Massey University
Team Leader, Mount Penguin Monitoring
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