Update on our Board

Zooey Neumann

Grant Routen

We are excited to introduce two new Board Memebers who joined us this year.

Zooey Neumann, who joined in March and Grant Routen, who joined this month. Both are locals who are passionate about the environment and bring so much to our mahi.

Zooey Neumann

Zooey works in the charity sector and has a background in educational publishing and politics. She lives with her family in Te Atatu South and is passionate about improving this place we call home. Transport, nature and community are all areas we need to improve, and she is trying to be part of the solution, not part of the problem! As well as being dedicated to nature conservation and restoration, Zooey is also passionate about singing, bicycling and rollerskating. 

Grant Routen

Grant was born in Christchurch but moved up to Auckland after Cyclone Giselle took out the family poultry farm. When he moved to Auckland he stayed in Massey, which was his introduction to Te Wai ō Pareira before moving to Muriwai/Waimauku, he moved to the Peninsula in 2016. Once his Son began school at Matipo he became a frequent visitor to Taipari Strand.

Grant writes “I worked in Commercial Interiors but had an accident resulting in multiple failed shoulder reconstructions and implants which left me medically retired. I still wanted to do my bit for society and that's pretty much when my Litter Quest and desire to help our  environment began. Having fished and swam Henderson creek as a kid and an adult I know how valuable it is to the community and helping its survival is [important to me]. 

For me community is the key to looking after our whenua and I've been working alongside Rivercare with my Keep Te Atatū Peninsula Beautiful campaign engaging with the locals and Schools for a while now so joining the team is a great idea, I really appreciate the invite to the Board and hope I can be of good service to the Group”

He Is well known to the community through his beautiful photography that he posts on the Te Atatū Peninsula community page and his regular rubbish cleanups around Peninsula beaches and parks. Grant is also an active member of Earth Action Trust who do amazing work keeping our parks and community spaces clean. They have been responsible for mobilising communities in regular events to do clean up of public spaces.

Welcome to the team

We are thrilled to have both of these incredible people as members of our board, thank you both for your willingness to give your time in service of the community and the restoration of Te Wai ō Pareira.