Our team

City Sanctuary staff are employed by the Dunedin City Council and are based in the Parks and Recreation team.

Kate Tanner

Project Manager

Kate is our Project Manager and has years of conservation experience in Dunedin. She has previously worked for the Halo Project, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, the Department of Conservation and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. There isn’t a lot Kate doesn’t do: you’ll see her out installing traps, working with volunteers, engaging communities, and planning operations.

“Everyday I wake up and feel blessed that I am able to connect people to nature through the work we do. I am humbled and inspired by the positive changes we are collectively making to support, enhance and better Dunedin’s natural environs. We are so fortunate to live in this amazing part of the world.”

Penny Jacks

Project Coordinator

Penny is our Project Coordinator and has completed a Master’s degree on skinks in Otago. She has previously volunteered and contracted to the Department of Conservation, working with a variety of endemic species such as mokomoko/skinks in the mountains of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, nesting hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins, and pohowera (banded dotterels).

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact of invasive mammals across a variety of taxa, as well as the success of species once these predators have been removed. I’m excited to be a part of the predator free movement, to help make our city a safe space for endemic species to thrive!”

Zac Martin

Community Ranger

Zac is one of our Community Rangers and is now calling Dunedin home after moving south from Wellington. He has a background in communications work and has previously worked for GNS Science, the Department of Conservation, and the Capital & Coast DHB. He also spent a season working for Ultimate Hikes on the Milford Track. Day-to-day you’ll see Zac out installing backyard traps, training up volunteers, and managing the project’s communications.

“It’s awesome helping others get involved in conservation and feel excited about playing their part in protecting our city’s beautiful nature.”

Kai Blackmore

Community Ranger

Kai is one of our Community Rangers and originally hails from the UK. Before moving to Aotearoa he studied biology and worked in sustainable seaweed harvesting and aquaculture. He has previously worked with pakake/New Zealand sealions for the Department of Conservation and has experience in various habitat restoration projects around Dunedin.

“I’ve been blown away by the biodiversity gains organisations have made recently in Dunedin and New Zealand as a whole. Seeing the profusion of life in predator free reserves such as Orokonui Ecosanctuary makes me incredibly excited to help fill our parks and reserves with birdsong again!”

Emily Peterson

Community Trapping Coordinator

Emily joins the City Sanctuary team from The Valley Project in North East Valley. She is passionate about supporting the community and taking positive local environmental action, and also loves to volunteer. Emily’s role comes from a contract City Sanctuary has with The Valley Project to help residents and volunteers get involved in predator control in Dunedin’s northern suburbs.

“I feel privileged and excited to work alongside the City Sanctuary team and wider community, taking steps to achieve this momentous environmental milestone of a predator free Dunedin!”

Mammalian Corrections Unite (Contractors)

Mammalian Corrections Unit (MCU) is a predator control company based in Te Anau and Dunedin. MCU carries out a broad range of conservation fieldwork in the lower South Island and is City Sanctuary’s key contractor.

The MCU team have helped us design, set up and manage trap lines in urban parks and reserves. They also conduct our seasonal predator monitoring.