WET Trustees
Nick Kirk (Chair) – Nick’s family has lived and worked near Tai Tapu for over 100 years. Nick received his PhD in environmental policy from Lincoln University, research which helped him reconnect with the lake and the local area. Nick now works in Lincoln for the Bioeconomy Science Institute which absorbed his former Crown Research Institute Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and maintains a strong interest in reviving interest in the Lake.
Grant Bonniface (Treasurer) – Grant’s family have been involved with the Lake and surrounds for over 100 years. His family farm bordered the Lake between the LII | Ararira and Waikirikiri | Selwyn Rivers and they have a bach at Selwyn Huts. Much of Grant’s childhood was spent at the Selwyn Huts accessing the Lake and its tributary rivers for fishing, shooting, swimming and boating. He has continued to have an interest in the intrinsic values associated with the Lake environment. This interest has led Grant to do restoration plantings along the Lake margin.
Kelvin Coe (Deputy Chair) – Kelvin’s family have farmed the Lake edge for several generations, and were some of the original European settlers. Kelvin served as Mayor of Selwyn District for three terms, is a past president and treasurer of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, and a founding member of Selwyn Sustainable Agricultural Society.
Hamish Rennie – Hamish grew up on the family farm (Rotopapa) opposite the Selwyn Huts and spent many hours on or in the river, Lake and margins. He returned to Ellesmere in 2007 after 20 years working in central government departments and Waikato University. An Associate Professor at Lincoln University in environmental planning and management, he lives on the remnants of land farmed by the family for 150+ years and his research includes the Lake and catchment. Hamish has been Chair of the Trust on three occasions.
Ken Hughey (acting Secretary) – Ken is a Professor Emeritus at Lincoln University (Department of Environmental Management) and former Department of Conservation Chief Science Advisor. He has had a long research, fishing and ecological association with the Lake throughout his career.
Murray Stephens – Murray farms at Irwell and was the third generation on the property known as Waipuna, with 8 kms of stream boundary with the Irwell River. For over 50 years Murray has had a connection with the Lake and in his younger days was heavily involved with the Ellesmere Aquatic Club at the Lakeside Domain. Murray was also a founding member of the Selwyn Sustainable Agricultural Society.
Lynette Harris – Lynette’s family farmed on the banks of the Ararira/LII river by Yarrs Lagoon/Tarerekautuku since the early 1900’s. Both her father and grandfather were involved in the Lake Ellesmere Domain board, later known as The Springston South Domain Board. After returning from living and working overseas to the family dry farm at Ellesmere, Lynette was keen to carry on with her interest in the Lake and the tributary rivers Ararira/LII and Selwyn/Waikirikiri . She has fond memories of the fauna and bird life of her youth and the recreational fishing that went on at their property and the surrounding Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora.
Wayne Newton –
Nicole Reid –
Ex-Officio Representative of Selwyn District Council: Cr Sarah Barnsley
Past Trustees (updating in progress)
Peter Chamberlain (former Deputy Chair) a founding member of the Trust.
John Lay
Ray Maw (former Chair)
Dr Brett Painter (former Chair)
Dr Ronlyn Duncan
Dr Golda Varona
Last updated June 2026