The Nature Conservancy has named Abbie Reynolds as the Country Director for Aotearoa New Zealand. Abbie brings more than two decades of change-making leadership experience in the sustainability, climate and environmental sector to the role.
Abbie is one of New Zealand’s most respected sustainability leaders, with experience as chair of Westpac's Sustainability External Advisory Panel and as a director of Auckland Transport. She is also completing a NEXT Foundation Fellowship focused on ways to accelerate uptake of solutions that address both climate change and biodiversity loss.
Quote: Abbie Reynolds
TNC is working at the vanguard of climate change and environmental responses in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its innovative, partnership-centered approach is what we need to make real difference.
Abbie was a past CEO of Predator Free 2050. Prior to that role she held the post of executive director of the Sustainable Business Council, where in 2017 she co-founded the Climate Leaders Coalition. This led to a 2019 Women of Influence win and the opportunity to present at the United Nations as part of the NZ Government's report on its Sustainable Development Goal performance.
Abbie has been a trustee for Sustainable Coastlines and Voyce Whakarongo Mai and served on the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisors "Rethinking Plastics Panel" and the Government’s Electric Vehicle Leadership Group.
Abbie said that she was attracted to the role because of the boldness of ambition she saw from TNC and the science-led, partnership-based approach it takes.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to take up a leadership role with TNC in New Zealand and to work with an organization effecting new solutions to environmental crises in the face of climate change.
“TNC is working at the vanguard of climate change and environmental responses in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its innovative, partnership-centered approach is what we need to make real difference.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the New Zealand team and increasing its impact. The work TNC is currently doing to restore marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems is just the beginning. We have such an exciting opportunity to learn from and scale up this work in ways that will help New Zealand face the challenges ahead.”
TNC New Zealand’s Advisory Board Chair, Rob Morrison, also welcomes Abbie to the role.
Quote: Rob Morrison
Abbie has the leadership skills, innovative thinking and organisational expertise that will help TNC deliver effective solutions to the climate and environment issues becoming so apparent today.
“We are excited about the experience and appetite for solution-driven change that Abbie will bring to her new role. Abbie has the leadership skills, innovative thinking and organisational expertise that will help TNC deliver effective solutions to the climate and environment issues becoming so apparent today. We look forward to working together toward better outcomes for nature and people in New Zealand.”
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.