Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust

Tony Miguel
Chairperson

Tony is committed to ensuring the Te Whau Pathway is completed, and while contributing to achieving environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits he recognises all good things take time. He fully understands the challenges needed to deliver complex infrastructure projects and has a track record of successful delivery based on meeting stakeholder requirements. He has championed developing non-asset solutions to meet infrastructure needs through initiatives including alternatives to car-based transport, water demand management, green and blue infrastructure, and public-community partnerships.

Carla Gee

Carla is Chief Executive of EcoMatters Environment Trust, leading community-driven environmental programmes across Auckland. With a background in operations and programme delivery, she specialises in community-led sustainability and climate action. Carla has helped grow initiatives including EcoFest, Bike Hubs, zero-waste and restoration programmes, working with councils, iwi and community partners to deliver practical, place-based solutions. She is committed to equity and inclusion, ensuring programmes are accessible, culturally relevant and responsive to diverse communities. Her collaborative, action-focused leadership empowers communities to build capability, take ownership and create lasting environmental change while strengthening connections between people, place and the natural environment.

David Nelson

David grew up in West Auckland and spends a lot of that time on and around Te Whau and is a keen cyclist. A qualified civil engineer with a Master of Engineering, David has over 27 years of experience in delivering infrastructure. He has managed teams responsible for delivering a number of projects similar to Te Whau Pathway as well as many other infrastructure projects. He also has a Diploma in Management from the Darden business school (University of Virginia) and a Diploma in Company Direction. He is a member of the Institute of Directors. David brings a mix of governance and delivery, underpinned by his passion for this Project.

Gilbert Brakey
Deputy Chairperson

Gilbert is a founding Trustee of The Whau River Catchment Trust Auckland. His skills are varied and relate to landscape architecture, integrating ecology, and natural resource management. His area of specialty is with plants in the landscape. His broad background and experience of working with New Zealand and Australian flora spans over 40 years.

Graeme Campbell

Graeme and his family have lived in West Auckland for 50 years. He has worked for local, regional, and central government, and iwi. Over many years, he has led major urban redevelopment projects at New Lynn, Westgate and Hobsonville including the legislation protecting the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area. He has worked extensively in Treaty of Waitangi Settlement negotiations representing the interests of the Crown and iwi. Graeme is now retired. He maintains interests in education outside the classroom, island and coastal ecological restoration and local history.

John Dragicevich

John has led and delivered many transformational projects in Waitakere City and Auckland Council. One of John’s many strengths is his intuitive understanding of key elements in successful delivery and troubleshooting of programmes. He believes community led initiatives, engagement and involvement shapes solutions that leads to much more successful resilient outcomes. He has been a WasteMINZ board member, IPEWA board member, and is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand. He is also a Justice of the Peace.

Joseph Erceg

Joseph was born and raised in West Auckland not too far from the Whau River. His work background has been in property, banking and finance both in NZ and internationally. He had been involved in a number of community initiatives for over 10 years including the Te Atatū South Community Association and Te Atatū Food Truck Fridays. On the completion of Te Whau Pathway he hopes that it will be a success for West Auckland economically, socially and environmentally.

Penny Hulse

Penny was first elected to Waitakere City Council in 1992 and was Deputy Mayor when the city was amalgamated into Auckland Council in 2010. She became Auckland’s inaugural Deputy Mayor and helped lead development of the Auckland Plan and Unitary Plan, shaping the city’s future growth. Drawing on Waitakere Eco City principles, Penny championed sustainable urban development, public transport, walking and cycling. After 27 years in local government, she retired from Council and now dedicates her time to community volunteering, including with the Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust, while continuing to support and contribute to the wider local government community.

Sharon Davies
Secretary

Sharon is a true westie. She is passionate about her community and people. As well as being the Secretary of the Te Whau Pathway Environmental Trust, she is involved in several other community organisations. They include Be A Tidy Kiwi Trust, Glen Eden Railway Station Trust, Glen Eden Residents Association, Greater Glen Eden Network, Swanson Railway Station Trust, and Waitākere Forest & Bird. In June 2013 she was awarded a Queens Service Medal for services to her community and in December 2019 she became a Justice of the Peace.

Peter Chan
On leave

Peter has been extensively involved in local community issues for more than 20 years. He co-founded both the Waitakere Ethnic Board and the Lantern Festival and is also a Justice of Peace. He is currently a member of the Henderson-Massey Local Board and is married to Audrey. They have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.