The Styx Staff

Bethany is the main point of contact for the Trust and runs all Trust conservation projects(aside from the Pūharakekenui Freshwater improvement Fund Project).  Bethany manages all our General Trust Staff, Volunteers, Portfolios and our Field Centre. Bethany also leads the Health & Safety Portfolio and Funding Portfolio and is the Trustees' main point of contact. Bethany has been with the Trust working in the Pūharakekenui for the past four years and comes from a conservation/environmental science background. Outside of work Bethany is a keen kayaker and surfer. 

Anita is in charge of the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Project. Anita is the main point of contact for the Project and also leads the Project Control Group. Anita's background is in ecology and threatened species management. Anita worked at the Department of Conservation as a Senior Biodiversity Ranger before joining our team. Anita is also on the regional committee for BirdsNZ and in her spare time contributes to the NZ Bird Atlas scheme and enjoys tramping. 

Jackie leads our community engagement and outreach for the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Fund Project. This includes working with landowners, businesses and managing our volunteers for the Project. Originally from the United States, her background is in biodiversity education, conservation, and outreach. In her free time she enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with her whanau.

Hannah facilitates and develops the Creative Communicator Programme as part of the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Fund Project: securing, coordinating, connecting and facilitating artists.  Hannah has been working with the Trust since 2020, initially as interim Project Manager to see the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Fund Project come to life, passing the reins of this to Anita. She comes from a varied background with a Masters in Fine Arts, and in her mahi outside of the Styx she is a lecturer, contract project manager, does business development for both a brewery and a distillery, and sits on a number of governance boards. Outside of 'work' Hannah likes to spend time with her dog, and visit her whānau on Rakiura/Stewart Island.

Gareth manages our Field Staff Team for the  Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Fund Project. Gareth has extensive experience working in farming, forestry, lifestyle blocks, construction, and conservation, and has planted many of the natives throughout the Pūharakekenui and Christchurch. He can often be heard saying, “I think I was involved in the planting of this site” when driving throughout the catchment. Gareth finds revegetation projects very fulfilling and is pleased to be a member of the Styx Living Laboratory Trust team. In Gareth’s free time he enjoys hunting and going for bush walks.

Maddie is one of our Field Staff Intermediates (Rangers) for the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Fund Project. She has a background in horticulture and landscaping. In her free time she enjoys surfing and travelling. 

Hugh is one of our Field Staff Intermediates (Rangers) for the Pūharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Fund Project. He has a passion for the outdoors and is excited to have the opportunity to look after New Zealand's beautiful natural landscape through the Trust. Hugh is also the father of three young children and is looking forward to bringing them to the sites he's worked on to see the progress in the years to come. 

Aria Huang is our communications creative. She joins us after receiving her master's degree in landscape architecture from Lincoln University. She has a passion for translating hidden rationales and scientific findings into easy-to-understand communication materials. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the violin and visiting all kinds of galleries and museums.

Aaron is an intern who helps out with our field work and advocacy projects. He studies invasive waterway plants at the University of Canterbury, and got involved with the Trust to make a practical difference for the local environment. In his free time, you can find him off lost up a hill somewhere.