Founded by directors Michael Willis and Kathy Rangiwananga, Willowbank is very proud of the team of highly qualified and dedicated staff who make the park what it is.
As a team we are all passionate about preserving and ensuring a future for New Zealand's most endangered species, and we love sharing our passion for native and exotic wildlife with our visitors. We are also passionate about sharing New Zealand's cultural hertiage, and our team includes the talented actors and performers who bring the Ko Tane cultural experience alive, very ably led by Dave Brennan.
Michael Willis
Role: Director
Kathy Rangiwananga
Role: Director
Jeremy Maguire
Role: Park Manager
Jeremy has worked at Willowbank for ten years. His favourite aspects of the job are the different challenges each day brings, and interacting with the animals. Before Willowbank he had a variety of jobs including working in a camping ground, working for the Department of Conservation, and selling boat parts. Jeremy enjoys everything to do with the outdoors, especially biking (mountain and road). Jeremy co presents the show “Animal Academy” with Sarah Ulmer. It is in its third season on TVNZ6.
Nick Ackroyd
Role: Head of the Natural New Zealand section
Nick has worked at Willowbank for one year. Before Willowbank he worked as a penguin keeper at Kelly Tarltons, at London Zoo as a bird keeper, and even volunteered with marine turtles in Mexico. Nick enjoys working with a great team at Willowbank, and having a wide range of native species to work with.
His one year old daughter’s first word was “duck”.
Shaun Horan
Role: New Zealand Conservation Trust – Education Officer
Shaun worked at Willowbank for ten years. He is now employed by the New Zealand Conservation Trust, but because of the close relationship Willowbank and the NZCT have he is based at Willowbank most days. Shaun has had many varying roles in his time here including tour guiding, kiwi breeding, and even souvenir sales. Before Willowbank he worked riding thoroughbred race horses and as a contract fencer. His favourite aspect of the job is that everyday is unique. Shaun currently owns and operates his own horse stud.
Dale Hedgecock
Role: Maintenance and section cover
Dale has worked at Willowbank for one and a half years. Before coming here one of his jobs was as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Toyota Manufacturing in South Africa. Despite emigrating here four and a half years ago and loving life in New Zealand, Dale still can’t support the All Blacks when they play the Springboks. His favourite parts of the job are being in the outdoors, the variety of tasks, creative opportunities and the friendly atmosphere.
Allister Wall
Role: Section Assistant and Head of Recycling
Allister has been with Willowbank for eight years. He was born on the West Coast in Hokitika. He has many duties at Willowbank, including gardening, general maintenance and he does all the recycling. Allister can tell a good joke and always knows the weather forecast.
Genevieve Buckett
Role: Head of the Wild New Zealand Section
David Fordyce
Role: Head of Heritage New Zealand Section
David has been at Willowbank for 2 years. Prior to joining Willowbank he was a Farm Manager for 15 years, and prior to this he spent 15 years working on a farm. He enjoys the company of his workmates, and feels that dealing with the public and the animals is the best of both worlds. David entered Young Farmer of The Year 3 times. His daughter Alice will be found on Saturdays taking children for donkey rides at Willowbank. David feels 'you should go from home work everyday having learned something new'.
David Uenuku Rakei Ora Brennan (Dave)
Role: Director of Ko Tane
Dave is descendant of Te Ngai Tuahuriri/Ngati Whakaue Hapu my Iwi are Ngai Tahu and Te Arawa. He is Catholic by faith, and loves his family and fatherhood, and sports when he gets the time. He has been in partnership with Willowbank since 2003. Before arriving at Willowbank he managed Nga Hau E Wha National Marae’s tourism operation. Dave says he is in tourism because he loves meeting people from different cultures. He gets tremendous fulfillment from watching our visitors being filled with enjoyment from being in our country and experiencing our manakitanga (hospitality).
Janet Hellyer (Jan)
Role: New Zealand Conservation Trust
Jan has been at Willowbank for five years. She enjoys the variety of work, and working with the staff in the kiwi breeding centre. She also enjoys working with children and schools with NZCT’s education programs. Jan has been very successful in raising funds for various conservation projects. Before working for the NZCT Jan manufactured jewellery.
Justin Jenkins
Role: Evening Tour Guide and Junior Keeper Leader
Justin began at Willowbank earlier this year. He is training to be a primary school teacher at UC College of Education. He enjoys working with both children and animals in his Junior Keeper position, especially because it allows him to put his theatrical teacher training into practice in a relaxed environment.
