Asha Andersen
Asha Andersen is keen to provide impactful advocacy for core Soil & Health values, particularly on pesticides, GMOs and a healthy environment.
She has years of experience at a grassroots level building community resilience, both as a volunteer and coordinator, including hosting crop swap gatherings, publishing regular newsletters and developing a community garden educational hub, where all ages can learn to garden and connect with nature.
She is a trustee and committee member for the Far North Resilient Communities Charitable Trust and Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa.
Richard Wallis
After a long career in law, Richard changed his focus to composting. He designed and patented the CarbonCycle composting system which is currently in use in nearly 80 schools around New Zealand as a teaching aide for ecosystem function and to provide compost in schools to enhance the soil biology and productivity of school kitchen gardens.
Elton Merrin
I am a passionate home gardener resident in Nelson. Our 1600 sq m property started out as being designed and gardened fairly conventionally but have altered our practices over time as we have learnt/absorbed new knowledge from various practitioners in organics, permaculture and regenerative agriculture.
I have recently retired after a rural banking career of 30 years. This encompassed relationship management and lending to commercial pastoral farmers and horticulturalists across a full spectrum of land uses including dairying, sheep and beef, berry fruit, hops and pipfruit.
My governance experience includes multiple terms on school boards and eleven years on the board of a local community housing provider (past treasurer) which has a substantial portfolio of rental dwellings.
Charles Hyland
Charles is a soil biogeochemist with over 25 years of experience in agricultural and environmental sustainability. Originally from the US, he worked for more than a decade at Cornell University, where he conducted research on soil microbial ecology, nutrient cycling, soil health, and carbon-negative bioenergy. He initiated Cornell’s first biochar field trial in North America and is a founding member of the International Biochar Initiative.
Since moving to Aotearoa in 2012, Charles has worked as a scientific consultant advising farmers, iwi, and industry on soil health, freshwater quality, commercial composting, and sustainable land use. He is managing director of Farmetrics Limited, a soil and water science consulting company. As chair of Soil & Health, he focuses on bringing credible science to public discourse, supporting organic consumers and producers, and developing a resilient, future-focused organic sector that not only upholds rigorous certification standards but also leads on climate mitigation, soil regeneration, biodiversity protection, and other emerging environmental challenges.
Sarah Williams
I grew up on a pig farm, just outside of New Plymouth and have always been a supporter of growing and organics. I live on a lifestyle block in Stillwater, Auckland – growing on and enjoying the land.
I currently teach composting and food waste reduction workshops across the North Shore of Auckland. I’ve worked with local Zero Waste groups and projects, including the Orewa Repair Café, for many years. I’m one of the founding members of the Stillwater Community Garden which aims to provide education and community connections around food security.
I have worked as a certification manager for Organic Farm NZ and continue to support the Upper North Island region with communications and social media.
Leigh Clarke
Leigh brings a combination of governance experience and practical knowledge of sustainable land practice. She has served as a body corporate trustee and company director, alongside a varied career spanning film production, cooking and permaculture education.
With a strong interest in food, nutrition and helping people understand where their food comes from, Leigh previously ran permaculture workshops in schools through a nonprofit, helping pupils, teachers and communities establish food gardens and develop practical growing skills.
She currently works part-time as certification manager for OrganicFarmNZ in the Upper North and Waikato regions, giving her valuable experience in organic certification, compliance, record keeping and membership. She also holds a Level 4 qualification in Sustainable Primary Production.
David McNeill
David is passionate about organic farming, healthy soil, clean waterways, and protecting native forests. He has experience developing a productive lifestyle block with avocados, orchards, regeneration plantings, vegetable gardens, and waterways, along with the many tasks of transforming land into a sustainable home. In addition to his rural interests, David runs an IT service business, which helps fund his land management. With a strong background in accounting and financial management, supported by his degree, he brings valuable skills in business software and financial strategy.
Rebecka Keeling
Rebecka shares her time between Slow Blooms flower farm in Matakana and a PR consultancy in Auckland. Rebecka is the co-founder of Permaculture Mahurangi, a freelance writer, and an advocate for produce grown locally, in its natural season, with care for the earth.
Dianne Maxwell
Dianne Maxwell brings extensive governance experience from her years in local government, including chairing Audit and Finance and Economic Development committees. She also has considerable experience in business management and strategic planning and hopes to use these skills to help Soil & Health thrive into the future.
Her lifelong connection with farming, food production and community development is combined with a passion for organics, healthy soils and knowing where our food comes from. She grows much of her own food and believes strongly in helping people reconnect with the land, build resilient local food systems, and make choices that are good for both people and the environment.
Dianne brings to the National Council a practical and strategic approach, strong governance and management experience, and a commitment to helping Soil & Health remain a credible, effective and forward-looking voice for organics in Aotearoa.
