MATT BABER
Principal Ecologist/ Director
Matt holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science in zoology from the University of Otago and an MSc (Hons) in conservation ecology from the University of Auckland. He was awarded a PhD (Ecology) from Florida International University in 2001.
Matt has provided ecological expertise on a wide range of public and private sector projects. He has presented expert evidence in Council Hearings, Environment Court or Boards of Inquiry on numerous occasions. Matt is certified as an independent hearings commissioner by the Ministry for the Environment (2018-present).
Between 2011 and 2019, Matt worked at Tonkin + Taylor, most recently as a Technical Director/Project Director and Group Manager – Ecology. Prior to this, he was Team Leader Biodiversity at Auckland Council, and before that Principal Ecologist/Director at Ecovision.
Matt has provided ecological expertise on a wide range of public and private sector projects. He has presented expert evidence in Council Hearings, Environment Court or Boards of Inquiry on numerous occasions. Matt is certified as an independent hearings commissioner by the Ministry for the Environment (2018-present).
Between 2011 and 2019, Matt worked at Tonkin + Taylor, most recently as a Technical Director/Project Director and Group Manager – Ecology. Prior to this, he was Team Leader Biodiversity at Auckland Council, and before that Principal Ecologist/Director at Ecovision.
HELEN BLACKIE
Principal Ecologist/ Director
Helen holds a PhD in Environmental Science and has over 20 years’ experience in the ecology and biosecurity sectors. She holds extensive project management experience, leading large, complex multi-disciplinary projects for the private and public sectors. Helen also has experience as an expert witness in both Council Hearings and the Environment Court, particularly regarding the development of mitigation and offsetting plans and strategies. In 2024 she was awarded the ‘Excellence in Environmental Practice Award’ by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ). This annual award recognises outstanding practice by an individual and is intended to be an exemplar for all environmental practitioners.
Helen is also heavily involved in the R&D sector, leading large research projects in the biosecurity and biodiversity space. From 2014 – 2024 Helen was an Associate Partner at Boffa Miskell Ltd, and prior to that was based in the academic sector. She has also previously worked for the Department of Conservation.
Helen is also heavily involved in the R&D sector, leading large research projects in the biosecurity and biodiversity space. From 2014 – 2024 Helen was an Associate Partner at Boffa Miskell Ltd, and prior to that was based in the academic sector. She has also previously worked for the Department of Conservation.
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SARAH KNOWLES
Principal Environmental Consultant
Sarah is an environmental consultant with broad experience in resource and environmental management. She has an MSc(Hons), a BSc(REP) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Resource and Environmental Planning, all from the University of Waikato. Sarah offers expertise in environmental policy, quality assurance and review. She has held environmental roles within industry (waste and energy sectors), as well as in planning consulting, where she recently processed resource consent applications on behalf of Auckland Council. As an independent contractor, Sarah has provided writing and editing services for a range of clients including businesses, local government, NGOs and industry organisations. She has edited national publications such as guidance documents and an industry magazine, and she reviews AEEs, RMA evidence, ecology reports and management plans.
