Tony holds a Bachelor of Archaeology from the University of Auckland and has a comprehensive understanding of archaeology, history, the cultural landscape, and key legislation including the Resource Management Act and the NZ Historic Places Act.
With a career spanning 20 years, Tony’s experience working closely with hapū and community groups enables him to effectively explore and document the historic and cultural significance of any given area. Since 2005, Tony has been involved in a range of archaeological projects, including archaeological authority applications, exploratory assessments, heritage management plans, surveys, excavations, and the supervision of earthworks.
While his foundation lies in archaeology, Tony’s professional background is diverse, which allows him to contribute broadly to the NZ Environmental Management team. His experience in ecology, botany, conservation, as well as his background in psychology and education, enhance his approach to environmental and cultural heritage management.
Tony has established strong connections with many northern hapū and community groups and has developed our Mātauranga Māori ki Ngāhere Programme which draws on his in-depth knowledge and expertise. The programme highlights the historical and symbiotic relationship Māori had with the forest, covering its role as a source of food, medicine, building materials, weaving resources, dyes, and its central spiritual significance. Through this programme, Tony fosters a deeper understanding of kaitiakitanga, with a focus on principles such as pono, tika, tautoko, and aroha. Additionally, the programme provides training in ecological principles, conservation, resilience, rongoā (traditional Māori healing), and sustainable harvesting practices. This educational programme can be tailored to suit any needs.
In addition to his professional work, Tony volunteered with Corrections for three years as a community work sponsor and supervisor, providing practical education to individuals completing community work sentences. In recognition of his exceptional commitment to the Ara Poutama Aotearoa values, Tony was honoured with the Whanonga Pono Award by the Kaikohe Community Probation in 2024 for his outstanding contribution to the value of kaitiakitanga (guardianship).