Your role... Manager Agronomist at New Zealand Turf Management Solutions

What you love most about the sector... The diversity of challenges we are faced with on a daily basis. I love the environment we work in at the Research & Development site in South Auckland and we are extremely passionate about sharing our findings with wider sector stakeholders across all Park settings.

Why you joined Recreation Aotearoa... As a turf specialist I appreciate that there is an awful lot more to our recreational sector than just grass! Recreation Aotearoa has really opened my eyes to all of the associated park/recreational associated elements.

Favourite part about being a member... Learning about the range of diverse initiatives and people working in our industry. Also, understanding better the challenges we face and how each of our areas of specialism are intrinsically linked to one another.

One thing you've learned in the last month... Green space is essential to our wellbeing. It doesn't matter how successful, busy, wealthy, or poor a person is, our green spaces are there for us all in equal measure. This past month has underlined to me how important the connection is between humans and the wider natural environment.

Your hopes for the industry... I hope we continue to be valued and understood as an industry that takes a pride in safeguarding and developing New Zealand's amazing outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of all. Quality green space is intrinsic to New Zealand and stands us apart from many other places in the world that do not have the luxury of space nor perhaps the people with so much passion invested in them to manage it.