Who we are
The Kaweka Community Catchment Collective (KCCC) connects the communities of Dartmoor, Rissington, Patoka and Puketitiri across more than 64,000 hectares of the Kaweka catchment. We are a proactive, community-led organisation working to strengthen the wellbeing of our people, our land, our waterways, our local economy, and the whenua that sustains us.
KCCC is powered by local leadership, shared values and a commitment to doing what’s right for our place. We exist to bring people together, turn knowledge into action, and lead meaningful environmental and community outcomes across the catchment. Our structure ensures grassroots voices stay central while we build the capability, partnerships and governance needed for long-term impact. KCCC is further strengthened by robust governance and the guidance of an independent chair, ensuring transparency, accountability, and a clear strategic direction for our collective work.
Our Vision
A resilient and thriving
environment and community.
This vision sits at the heart of every community meeting, every field day, every project and every investment decision. It reflects both our aspirations and what our communities have told us they want for their future.
Our Values
Our values guide how we work – with one another and with the whenua.
Community Spirit
We are grounded in our people. Strong connections make strong communities, and strong communities improve outcomes for land, water and wellbeing.
Partnership with Others
We collaborate with tangata whenua, agencies, experts, volunteers and neighbouring catchments – because shared effort creates shared success.
Do What’s Right
We act with integrity, transparency and accountability, even when decisions are hard.
Find Better Ways
Innovation matters. We stay curious, open to learning and committed to continuous improvement.
Learn Every Season
We adapt. We listen to our community, respond to change and keep refining our approach as our catchment evolves.
Our Objectives
Measureable progress on the environment
We want to take collective action to reduce invasive plant and animal species,
improve biosecurity (eradiate TB), and enhance our natural environment.
In order to do this, we need investment in long-term projects that will shift the dial. We also need robust data to show measurable progress.
Connected communities
We aim to foster connected communities, both to build resilience to natural disasters and biosecurity threats, but also to be well placed to take opportunities. We will support communities to identify and act on their priorities and focus on projects that strengthen collaboration. Partnerships will create a force multiplier, working with iwi, government and community to achieve greater impact.
A strong rural economy
A thriving economy underpins action. We will look for opportunities where doing the right thing for the environment and a strong community can also create profitable businesses, including achievment and accreditation for doing the right thing. We also want to tell the story of our regions success, creating a virtuous cycle.
What we do
KCCC delivers its work through five focus areas, each designed to strengthen the environment, community and rural economy of the Kaweka region:
1. Demonstrate What’s Possible
We lead demonstration projects that show what proactive, community-led environmental action can achieve – from biosecurity initiatives to erosion control, wetland and riparian restoration, and large-scale pest management.
2. Build a Strong & Connected Community
We foster community resilience, wellbeing and connection. This includes supporting residents after adverse events, building readiness for future risks, and strengthening the social fabric that makes rural life vibrant and sustainable.
3. Turn Data Into Action
We gather and coordinate environmental, climatic and biosecurity data, enabling members to make informed decisions. A central State of the Environment approach helps track progress, guide investment and celebrate success.
4. Inform & Empower Members
We run practical workshops, field days and events; connect members with experts; and bring local concerns to decision-makers. We help residents across the catchment become more financially and environmentally resilient.
5. Build an Enduring KCCC
We are committed to strong governance, reliable structures, and sustainable funding so KCCC can serve the catchment for decades to come. We invest in communication, iwi partnerships and succession planning to ensure long-term stability.
How we work
Local communities, local leadership
KCCC operates through four local Communities, each led by an elected Community Leader who brings deep knowledge of their community and landscape.
Our Community Leaders:
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Patoka – Ashley Baker
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Puketitiri – Nicky White
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Dartmoor – Branwyn Hartree
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Rissington – [to be confirmed]
Each Community identifies its own priorities, shaped by local needs, land types, community goals and environmental challenges. These are then brought to the wider KCCC committee – chaired by an independent leader – where they are integrated into a coordinated work stream. Our Catchment Coordinators support all Communities by facilitating events, managing projects, sharing information, and helping ideas move from community conversation to funded action.
What funding can support
Funding is allocated according to Community priorities and examples of projects already funded include:
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Field days and technical workshops
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Environmental research, mapping and monitoring
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Biosecurity and pest management
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Adverse event readiness and resilience planning
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First Aid and emergency response training
Each project must benefit the community, environment or catchment, and align with the Strategy 2030 objectives and focus areas.
How to Propose a Project or Idea
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Raise it at your Community meeting
Share your idea with your local community – whether it’s a workshop, environmental project, purchase, collaboration or monitoring initiative.
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Speak with your Community Leader
Talk your idea through with your Community Leader who can then bring the proposal to the full KCCC committee.
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Come along to a Committee meeting
Raise your idea at a Committee meeting – these are held monthly. For each project or idea raised, the committee considers impact, feasibility, strategic alignment and available funding before making a final decision.
This transparent, community-led process ensures local voices remain at the centre of KCCC decision-making.
Our Commitment
KCCC is here to empower everyone who lives or works in the Kaweka catchment – farmers, lifestyle landowners, forestry managers, businesses, residents, iwi partners, young people, and the wider community.
We believe in the future of this place, the strength of its people, and the potential of our land and water to thrive when cared for collectively.
Executive Committee
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Cynthia Bowers
Chair Person
Key professional skills: Twenty years’ experience in public practice accounting Twenty years’ experience as Management Accountant Leadership and governance roles in local government and other organisations Former Chartered Accountant Former Chartered Member, New Zealand Institute of Directors Governance and leadership experience: Current Chairperson of Hawke’s Bay Digital Archives Trust Deputy Mayor of Hastings District Council from 2001 to 2016 and Hastings District Councillor from 1995 to 2016 Director of Local Government Superannuation Trustee Ltd Past Chairperson of Horse of the Year (Hawke’s Bay) Ltd Past Branch Manager of Water Testing Hawke’s Bay Former director of Hawke’s Bay Opera House Ltd Former ministerial appointee to Waste Advisory Board (Ministry for the Environment) and Urban Cycling Investment Panel (NZ Transport Agency
Kelly Thompson
Treasurer
Kelly Thomsen is an Accountant (BAcc) and co-owner of Bookkeepers NZ, where she partners with Diana Ketel to provide tailored Bookkeeping and Accounting services. With a background as a chef, Kelly brings her love for cooking and strong family values into both her personal and professional life. Driven by a desire to balance family, independence, and community, Kelly is dedicated to helping others thrive in their businesses. Married to Callum Thomsen, she is a proud mother of two: Payton (13) and Millie (11). In her spare time, Kelly enjoys playing tennis and nurturing her garden.
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Jeremy Absolom
Committee member
Jeremy has a BCom from University of Otago and held many management and governance roles in the farming and meat industry over the last 30 years. His family have farmed at Rissington since 1882 where he is an owner/director of Rissington Cattle Company and Rissington Station today with his two brothers. Jeremy’s brother Ben was a founding committee member of the Mangaone Catchment Group and Jeremy was on the committee that formed the KCCC. The Absolom family is a big supporter of the Rissington Community Group co-hosting the annual community ANZAC day and Christmas events.
Molly Alton
Committee member
I have a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Ecology and Geography from the University of Auckland. I am also a Certified Nutrient Management Advisor (CNMA). Currently, I am a Farm Sustainability Advisor with Ballance Agri-Nutrients, and have been for the past 3 years. I love my job and am passionate about contributing to a sustainable agriculture industry. As well as this, I am a sheep and beef farmer with my partner Ben in the Patoka district. Together we operate Waihau Terminal Sires, a terminal sire ram stud on our 220 hectare lease property.
Bruce McGregor
Committtee member
Bruce did a Bachelor of Agriculture at Massey University a very long time ago. He then spent 20 years in the rural finance industry before returning to Patoka with wife Sally to buy their first farm in Huiarangi Road. They subsequently moved to Pakaututu where they have 580 ha which winters 950 cattle on 350 ha while the balance of the farm is now retired from farming and planted in natives, mainly manuka. Despite his reputation for being the grumpy old bugger at the end of the road Bruce reckons he’s pretty approachable and is happy to talk to anyone about how we can work together to keep improving environmental and community outcomes.
Greg Mitchell
Committee member
Greg Mitchell, together with his wife Gail, is the owner and operator of two dairy farms and one dry stock farm located in Patoka. Their combined experience and dedication have contributed significantly to the local agricultural community. Greg has played an active role in the dairy industry through his six years of service with the Fonterra Shareholders Council. During this time, he chaired the Representation Committee and participated in two Fonterra board sub-committees, demonstrating his commitment to effective governance and industry representation. In 2013, Greg completed the Fonterra Governance and Development Program, further strengthening his leadership skills and understanding of industry governance. He has also served in various other governance roles, including Chair of the Board of Trustees for Upper Atiamuri School and President of the Atiamuri Cricket Club. Greg’s dedication to sustainable farming practices was recognised when he was named the Regional Supreme Winner of the 2023 Balance Farm Environment Awards. This achievement highlights his ongoing focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable development within the farming sector.
KCCC Community Leaders
Nicky White
Puketitiri
Nicky runs her family's 300ha organic sheep and beef farm in Pakaututu, where she grew up. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications, and in English with Honours. Nicky is keen to be involved in projects that restore and protect the land and community that raised her.
Branwyn Hartree
Dartmoor
Originally from the Pacific Northwest (USA), I met my husband Brent travelling in the Middle East just before Y2K. When I first joined him in Hawke’s Bay (in 2003), I spent several years driving tractors for orchards and vineyards in both Puketapu and Meanee. Returning to work after the births of our two children, I switched to farm work and doing the accounts here on Rotonui (586 ha sheep & beef along the Tūtaekurī River, breeding/finishing Romney, Wiltshire & Black Angus). I’ve followed the kids through the school system: first as the Puketapu Playgroup Co-ordinator, then serving on the Puketapu Pre-School Board, and finally joining the Puketapu School Parent League (PPLA). These days my time is shared between my own studies, family & farm, volunteer projects (Forest & Bird Nursery and Pest-Control at Ball’s Clearing) and my unoffical part-time position as chauffuer for our two teenagers (currently attending Taradale H.S.). I’m really excited to be a part of the KCCC going forward: identifying and addressing our community’s needs/goals within and with regard to our catchment context, challenges & values.
Ashley Bell
Patoka
Grew up in Omakere, Central HB on my parents sheep and beef property, Mum also owned a native plant nursery. Natuarally my weekends and holidays were filled with propagating plants, planting riparian plantings, forestry planting forestry planting and many more jobs. I was heavily involved with the Omakere dog trials, was secretary/ treasurer for 6 years, then joined Takapau club managing the bar/ liberating for 3 years. For the last 6.5 years I worked at Farmlands Waipukurau, looking after the animal health, nutrition and dairy side before moving to Patoka. My husband Ed manages Glencoe and I work on the farm giving him a hand a couple of days a week, as well as rearing the calves/ pet lambs. So, for the rest of my time I spend gardening, wool craft (spinning, knitting, felting) patchwork, x-stitch and the list can go on! I have a passion for living off the land so I have lots of chocks, currently rearing two jersey calves to one day milk and make cheese, and have an extensive vege garden. I am a homebody so anything I can make from scratch I'm usually doing it. I'm really excited about joining the KCCC group, I am passionate about caring for the environment we live in, working on reducing pest and weed burden. I am also looking forward to being a voice for Patoka and working with you all Show Less