Flora and Fauna 6-week course

Hey, I’m Emma.

The camera-shy editor and founder behind Sage Journal.

I come from a line of gardeners, always able to call my mum or nana to chat about what to plant where, figure out why a plant is turning up its toes, or to see if there’s a cutting going spare. I know not everyone is this lucky.

When we bought our first house 12+ years ago, I quickly realised what a struggle it was to find local garden inspiration and advice. I wanted relatable stories, aspirational projects, and connections with knowledgeable gardeners — both new and old.

So five years ago, I started Sage Journal. To share stories of hands-in-the-dirt, soil-on-the-clothes gardeners. People who are sometimes failing, often succeeding, and always asking questions.

My aim was to create Aotearoa’s most trusted gardening resource. Now, with a large local following, and growing engagement from Australia and beyond, we’ve not only become the home for gardeners, but for design lovers and nature-inspired creatives too. www.sagejournal.com

SESSION Abstract: This session explores the evolution of The Sage Journal and features a live case study of the Melbourne Flower Show, illustrating why high-quality photography is essential for capturing such a visually stunning event.

Jo runs Kahikatea Farm plant nursery and permaculture farm and is a passionate teacher and gardener. A long time environmentalist, she has taught courses and workshops in permaculture, sustainability, gardening and herb growing for over 20 years, including four years teaching horticulture at EIT. In 2005 she founded the Hawke’s Bay Permaculture Group and in 2007 she was awarded the NZ Gardener Magazine’s Hawke’s Bay Gardener of the Year for her gardening, teaching and community efforts. Her main interest is in designing and growing sustainable perennial agricultural systems at both urban and rural scales, and opening people’s minds to a different way of growing

SESSION ABSTRACT: An Introduction to Permaculture with Jo Duff

Marie was previously a rural journalist and then worked part-time as a QEII regional representative from 1992 until 2007 in the Nelson-Marlborough, West Coast and Hawke’s Bay regions.

Marie covenanted her lifestyle block at Bayview, Napier to protect pits and middens on the property, prevent subdivision, and protect indigenous restoration plantings on the site. She currently chairs New Zealand Plant Producers Inc, the nursery industry body, and the Hawke’s Bay Botanical Group, and is a trustee on The Gwavas – Puahanui Charitable Trust.

In 2018, Marie won the NZI Rural Women New Zealand Business Awards supreme award and in 2020 was awarded a QSM for horticulture and native revegetation. Marie set up and jointly owns Plant Hawke’s Bay, a native plant nursery growing ecosourced wholesale native plants near Napier.

SESSION Abstract: Hawke's Bay native plants and their threats.

With over two decades of experience in the gardening industry, Jo-anne is the owner and operator of Arcadia Flower Farm a stunning property in Hawke’s Bay. At Arcadia, she cultivates seasonal blooms, hosts hands-on floral workshops, offers boutique accommodation, and maintains a beautifully curated bespoke wedding garden.

Drawing on her formal qualifications in horticulture, floral design, and graphic and craft design, Jo-anne brings a unique blend of artistry and practical expertise to everything she creates. Alongside her work at the farm, she continues to share her deep horticultural knowledge part-time at Greendoor Garden Centre, inspiring others to cultivate their own connection with nature.

SESSION Abstract: This session will dive into an overview of New Zealand’s flora, shaped by long-term isolation, with a focus on the ecosystems that emerged and the co-evolution of endemic plants and bird species.

Followed by an exploration of the use of native plants in garden design and their contemporary applications in floristry.

Nathan Burkepile is the Hawke's Bay Regional Coordinator for New Zealand Landcare Trust, where he helps establish catchment community groups and provides technical expertise in wetland and riparian restoration. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Range Sciences — with research focused on the impacts of agricultural chemicals on wildlife — Nathan brings deep scientific rigour to his work. With 15 years of hands-on restoration experience, he has collaborated with landowners, community groups, and land management agencies across New Zealand and the United States to improve biodiversity, water quality, and flood protection.

SESSION Abstract: This session will cover Native restoration in wetlands.

Kay's passion for conservation and wildlife management runs deep, sparked in childhood and put into action when she joined Conservation Corps in Nelson in 1990. From supplementary feeding of kākā to skink and snail surveys, she gained broad hands-on research experience. Returning to Hawke's Bay, Kay worked for DOC in community relations before spending time overseas. Back home, she joined the Ongaonga Field Centre, working across the Ruahine Ranges on biodiversity and recreation projects for six years, and completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management at Otago University. In 2001, she became Programme Manager for Biodiversity Threats, before co-founding the Conservation Company with partner Craig Single.

SESSION Abstract: This session will cover Long Tailed Bats in Hawkes Bay.

Christina is a lifelong learner with a profound passion for exploring diverse cultures and disciplines. Her curiosity has inspired extensive global travel, from teaching English to Buddhist monks in Laos and volunteering at a Thai orphanage to visiting museums across Europe, the UK, and Asia. A highlight of her travels is the Bishop Museum in Hawai'i, which she visits frequently, including during the 2014 World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education.

Her academic journey began with law and politics at Waikato University, where she discovered dispute resolution. She subsequently earned a Master’s in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Strathclyde University, UK. This period included an exchange at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai and research in Hong Kong on the ombudsman's role.

Currently a Learning Facilitator for Love Heart Social Learning, Christina also teaches the Restorative Practices microcredential at Victoria University. A fully accredited restorative justice facilitator and assessor, she recently delivered mediation training in Micronesia. Previously, she served as Director of Employee Assistance Resolution Services at Victoria University.

Outside of work, Christina enjoys connecting with loved ones and attending international events, such as the 2025 Restorative Practices conference in Singapore, to continually expand her expertise.