Since 2017 Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust has been transforming a wasteland into a wildlife reserve
We are dedicated to regeneration
Restoring Endangered Bird Habitat
We are bringing threatened and endangered migratory birds back to the Whakatipu Basin after decades of degradation of their river gravel habitat and population decline.
Partnering with local Rūnanga
The Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust partners with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to educate the local community and visitors about kaitiakitanga of the Nohoanga area within the Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve and to help protect its cultural heritage.
Protecting History
We are recovering and protecting the gold mining history of the Lower Shotover River as gold mining tailings are uncovered and planted with native plants.
Creating Outdoor Spaces for our Community
We are creating a green open conservation space for the Whakatipu community and visitors to enjoy as urban development encroaches on the surrounding areas.
Sharing Local Resource
100,000 locals and visitors annually are forecast to walk or cycle on the Queenstown Trail as it crosses the Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve.
You Can Help
We can all make a tangible difference in our own backyard to arrest the decline, and to protect and regenerate a braided river ecosystem of national and global significance before it is too late.
Dawn Palmer
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Dawn has lived in Queenstown since 1993.
Dawn is a self-employed ecologist with decades of experience and was the project director for the 3-year Tucker Beach Jobs for Nature project from 2021 to 2024.
She brings her enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience in community conservation, ecological restoration, landscape scale predator control, along with her keen interest in monitoring birds, including braided river birds to the table for the Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust.
Penny Hutchins
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I am of Ngai Tahu, Waitaha descent, Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki. Whanau Parata.
We have holidayed at Tucker Beach since 1989 and in 2021 we built a permanent home here. I have been involved in a number of community trusts and organisations over a considerable period of time most of which have included a conservation focus.
We enjoy this area and I have been impressed by what has been achieved by the trustees of the Tuckers Beach Wildlife Reserve.
Tess Wethey
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The Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve deserves far greater recognition for its uniqueness, dynamic character, complexity, biodiversity, and significance to Kai Tahu and the local community. When those who walk, jet boat or cycle through it all appreciate it more, we will have accomplished our mission, but our mahi won’t stop there.
I bring a business background to the work of the Trust. I retired from corporate life having been a Partner in Mitchell Mackersy Lawyers, a Director of Mackersy Property, a Consultant with Duncan Cotterill, and a former member of the Institute of Directors. So I’m paying forward all that that life taught me, as a Trustee for the Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust, chairing Impact100 Whakatipu’s Grants Committee, being a 45South Foundation Ambassador, acting as a local mentor for Business Mentors New Zealand, and being a Trustee of the Catalyst Trust.
The Reserve has been my backyard for over a decade. Like many who live here, we're plants-people, outdoors-y types and conservationists. It's a natural progression, and a massive privilege, to be involved in enhancing and protecting the Reserve. The restoration undertaken to date is inspirational and like the other Trustees we want to share its story with you.
Rosemary Barnett
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Dr Rosemary Barnett
Chairperson
Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust
Long term Central Otago residents, Rose and her husband Tom moved to Queenstown in 2015.
After graduation from Otago Uni, Rose and Tom planned to cycle through China for a few months in 1988, finding temporary work as doctors in Hong Kong to fund this. They accidentally stayed in Hong Kong for 28 years.
After raising 3 gorgeous children, running marathons and 100km trail events and keeping busy with work as a GP in Hong Kong, Rose has still not cycled through China.
Living in the Whakatipu Basin after 28 years in busy, bustling Asia is a huge privilege. It was a shock to find a wasteland at Tucker Beach in 2015 and to know that the local community felt unsafe there.
Rose was the chairperson of the Friends of Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve Society from 2017- 2023 and is now the chairperson of the newly formed Tucker Beach Wildlife Charitable Trust.
A career change from medicine to conservation has challenges, but the unique braided Lower Shotover River ecosystem is precious and must be protected. By working together to restore and protect a conservation area of national significance, we are creating a legacy for our community and future generations.
There is also now time for Rose and Tom to be on their bikes. Supported by family and friends, they cycled from Cape Reinga to Bluff in February 2022 and then 4000km through 10 European countries in 2023.
The cycle trip through China is still on the bucket list.
Martin Cheifetz
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From NYC to London to Queenstown, Martin has accumulated passports and enjoyed an international life and a career in the media business.
Celebrating his 10th year as a Queenstown local, Martin has become heavily involved in the local community through several service groups and sporting clubs. Martin enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, fishing, camping and 4WD exploring. Martin and his wife Jo have three kids in university and are enjoying empty nesting with their dog.
Steve Couper
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As long as I can remember I have had a fascination with the natural world. I now look to the hills and mountains, my favourite places, to capture beautiful, evocative images of the animals that live there and the habitat they call home. The challenge is to show them off at their best.
I am fortunate to have infinite patience when it comes to observing wild animals and I am occasionally rewarded for my efforts with an image that captures the essence of the animal I am observng.
Using long lenses can be the most frustrating of endeavours. I might have a great composition in front of me but heat haze between me and the subject denies me the opportunity to capture a sharp image. Results are often hugely disappointing.
My career as a photographer has seen me working for many high-profile international companies, plus New Zealand-based companies who needed my expertise to promote their businesses on the international stage.
Exploring the wilderness areas of New Zealand's South Island with a camera has taught me a lot about the animals I photograph and about myself.
Visiting my favourite places at the dawn of a new day always fills me with expectation.
No day is the same, the animals and the landscapes they live in are amazing, patience is everything…. and I love all of it.
Sally Mingaye
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I moved to Queenstown in 1984 from Australia.
Originally involved in the Conference & Incentive Group Marketing and the Adventure Tourism Industry, I was in awe of the stunning natural beauty of our corner of Paradise.
My passion to give back to the community saw me involved in Educational based not-for-profit organisations and Boards of Trustees for over 20 years.
Living with my family locally, inspired me to become involved with Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust from its inception in 2017.
As a keen outdoor enthusiast, I am committed to proactively supporting and protecting our endangered wildlife, also to being involved in the restoration of our unique braided river habitat.
Aimee Pitcher
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When it comes to conservation, I believe there’s nothing more important than connecting people to place, and few places do this better than the iconic Kimiākau / Shotover River. As a new recruit to the Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust, I bring hands-on experience across private and non-profit conservation projects, alongside enthusiasm for the preservation and enhancement of Aotearoa’s wild spaces.
I grew up in Hawke’s Bay, studied at the University of Otago, and through both work and recreation have developed a deep connection to our natural landscapes. Guided by the principles of kaitiakitanga, I combine practical field experience with strategic planning, with a strong focus on building engaged, community-led volunteer programmes.
In Hawke’s Bay, I coordinated a large-scale conservation project across 2,500 hectares, where I saw firsthand how clear communication and leading by example empower people to create real, lasting impact. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me outdoors - exploring ridgelines on the West Coast, riding Queenstown’s extensive bike trails, or deep within Makaroa’s canyons.
As Community Coordinator for Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve, I’m passionate about connecting people with this special braided river landscape and supporting its ongoing protection and restoration.
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