PUKETI FOREST TRUST BOARD

Toby Ricketts, trustee since 2018.
Toby resides near Mangonui on a 2.4 hectare patch of native bush which is heavily pest-managed and home to Miromiro, Riroriro, Tui, Kiwi, and Kukupa.

Toby’s key skills are in the areas of business management, media, marketing and broadcasting, having worked for major broadcasting networks in NZ, owned a recording studio in Christchurch, and producing video media for corporate clients. He currently has a very unusual occupation – working from home as an international voice over artist. He can be heard regularly on commercials and videos all over the world for brands such as BMW, Facebook and Samsung, although he is relatively unknown in New Zealand. He brings these media skills, his energy and new ideas to the trust to support the next generation’s kaitiakitanga and ensure the health and well being of the forest into the future.

Dr Gary Bramley, Forest and Bird representative, founding trustee, Current Chair.
Gary is a local of Kaeo, where his family has lived since 1859. Many of his father’s family were bushmen and Bramley’s Ridge in Puketi Forest was named after his grandfather, Jack Bramley. Gary and his wife Carey have three children and own a small farm near the forest (formerly owned by Gary’s father and grandfather). Gary works as a consulting ecologist and has degrees in zoology and ecology from Massey University and the University of Waikato. He was the chairperson of the Far North Branch of Forest and Bird for many years. Gary provides valuable scientific support to the Trust and is closely involved in strategic planning.

Aggie Wheoki, Piki te Aroha Marae representative and trustee since 2021.

Aggie’s family are tangata whenua of the Puketi area (hapū Ngāti Toro, iwi Ngāpuhi), having been here continuously since first settlement. Aggie is one of 13 brothers and sisters and has lived all her life in Rahiri, beside the forest. Aggie’s family and their ancestors have lived, worked, hunted and protected special sites in the forest for generations. They are guardians of a rich cultural history.
Aggie is a farmer and an active trustee of Piki te Aroha Marae. The marae is the hub of the community and her involvement keeps Aggie busy. On the marae committee she holds portfolios for Corrections Department, Māori Land Court, Department of Conservation, freshwater/marine ecosystems, and tikanga (customary protocols). Aggie has worked with the Corrections Department for about 30 years, helping to rehabilitate people convicted of minor offenses and to supervise community work sentences.
Aggie and her family have a long-term vision for Puketi. They would like to welcome everyone to enjoy and help look after the forest, while its natural treasures and historic sites are respected and preserved.

Mita Harris, trustee since 2024
Mita Harris is of Ngati Toro Ngati Hao whakapapa within Ngapuhi.
Raised in the southern shadow of Puketi and Omahuta Forests on the Waipapa and Kauri Whati Awa.
Waihou valley is the place I call home. Hokianga.
A long association with both Forests from childhood and a good part of my working life as a Ranger working for DoC over 15years – Wild Plant/Animal Mgt, Fire, Partnerships and more.
More recently, working toward the protection of our Kauri from Tauranga to the far north out of MPI-Biosecurity NZ.
As a Trustee I feel honored to serve in a place I know well.

Michael Winch, trustee since 2025. Treasurer.
Michael is a retired civil engineer living in Kerikeri. His involvement with Puketi Forest began in 1985, on a field trip with the Native Forest Action Council, when the group saw and heard the last of the original kokako. His interest in and knowledge of native plants and animals was cultivated by the scientists who led these trips.
Michael moved to the Far North in 1990 where he lived on a 100ha block of native forest at Totara North for 19 years before moving to Kerikeri. During his time in the Far North he has been active in the local Forest and Bird branch which was instrumental in setting up the Puketi Forest Trust. He was branch secretary for many years and is currently the Forest and Bird branch treasurer. Michael has carried out volunteer work for the Puketi Forest Trust regularly since its inception.
Michael has joined the Board as treasurer to help ensure that the Trust remains in a sound financial state to protect and restore the outstanding ecological values of Puketi Forest.

Deidre Everitt, Trustee since 2024

Ko Deidre Everitt toku ingoa nō Mangamuka, me Mangataipa Hokianga hoki
Ko Kohatutaka taku hapū, raua ko Ngāti Toro hoki taku hapū
I noho, i manawa hoki aku tupuna i te ngahere o Puketiti, ā, kei reira tonu rātou i ēnei rā.

Younger me was shown places of significance learnt rongoa, harakeke from my Nana and Mum. Possum Trapped with my father in Puketiti, Omahuta, now its called sustainablility.
A Great grandfather set up bird sanctuary’s, was a bird whisperer, birds flocked to him, I see that in my mokopuna.

My mokopuna are what made me realize I’ve taken it for granted that my uri, the generations to come will know Puketiti, Omahuta.
Hopefully they will be next Kaitiakitanga, hei Mana Motuhake o Puketiti. To encourage our Hapu to look after he Taonga Puketiti, Omahuta. Heal from the past and enjoy her beauty.

I work in the Social Community services sector, its heavy mahi, it’s a natural rongoa when you emerse in the Taiao.

He rongoā tūturu ka taea te whakamahi i te wā ka huri koe ki te Taiao.

Denise Schimanski, Trustee since 2024
Denise is Retired, doing Historical research for her hapu, with Previous experience in Housing and commercial Real Estate. Part of the negotiating team for Air New Zealand for restructuring and wage rounds

I have a special affinity for Puketi Forest based on a story shared by my cousin, who was a whangai of our paternal grandfather, Hiri Aperahama Anihana, about whom this story relates.

It began in 1918 when Hiri’s wife, Ngamako, died during the flu epidemic, leaving two young sons. The youngest is not yet one year old.

Several years later, Hiri met Ihipera, who was married with two young daughters approximately the same age as Hiri’s boys.

The relationship turned to love, and Ihipera left her husband for Hiri. Needless to say her husband was enraged and set out, gun in hand, to avenge himself

Hiri and Ihipera sought refuge deep in the heart of Puketi, where they built a nikau whare. Eventually, Ihipera became pregnant.

When they felt safe from Ihipera’s husband, they would venture out and go gum digging. One day, whilst digging for gum, Ihipera began to feel labour pains, so they both returned to their nikau whare to await the arrival of their child. Hiri helped Ihipera give birth to their firstborn. Ihipera cleaned and fed the baby and then both went back to work. Such hardship and love epitomised the first few years of their lives together.

Time healed everything, and eventually they returned safely to Okaihau along with their stepchildren and lived happily together until they died

So, for our Hapu Ngati Matakiri, it makes a special place to be part of Puketi Forest Trust.

Nga Mihi

Delwyn Beckham – info to come

Claudia Bramley, Trustee since 2025. Secretary. Claudia is current Chair Gary Bramley’s eldest daughter and is currently completing her veterinary science degree at Massey University while working as a lab technician at the flow cytometry company Flowjoanna. She grew up going to public meetings with Gary when they were beginning to establish the Trust, where she could usually be found entertaining herself under the table. As such, she grew up in and around Puketi and has loved exploring the forest and learning about the various birds and plants there. She looks forward to providing support to the Trust in whatever capacity she can.