Meet the Team

Michelle’s passion is realising the potential of authentic participation among a diverse group to make a difference to the lives of people and the planet anywhere and everywhere.

She is a facilitator, trainer and consultant specialising in public participation and stakeholder engagement. Michelle has a background in natural resource management and policy. She has led a variety of social research and evaluation projects on people’s responses to environmental matters, and she has an academic and practical knowledge of change management, including extension and rural development. Michelle has 30 years’ experience as a professional facilitator working with the private, public and voluntary sectors. Michelle has designed and delivered training courses on how to work effectively with the community in conservation and environmental education throughout New Zealand.

Michelle is an authorised trainer for the Technology of Participation Facilitative Leadership Program through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Australia). Michelle is a Certified ToP™ Facilitator.

Helens passion is in natural resource matters and she has led several action research projects in rural communities. She is a co-founder of Participatory Techniques Ltd.

She is an experienced facilitator and researcher with a background in community and environmental projects. She has led several action research projects about engaging rural communities in environmental management and conservation.

She has been involved in the design and delivery of facilitation training for community members, local and central government staff, the Enviroschools programme and Te Aho Tū Roa. Her own facilitation and research practice is focused on environment, agriculture and development issues. It includes helping groups and agencies with strategic planning, community involvement and adult learning.

Helen is an expert in designing stakeholder engagement and consultation processes for complex natural resource matters. She is an authorised trainer for the Technology of Participation (ToP™) Facilitative Leadership Program through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Australia).

Robyn is an Associate of Participatory Techniques Ltd.

Robyn draws on 20 years’ experience of facilitation to work respectfully with diverse groups seeking cooperative relationships, developing agreement and commitment.

Building on her education and experience as a botanical consultant Robyn has developed a working knowledge of facilitation in the field of Learning for Sustainability, primarily facilitation of Enviroschools and locally specific Environmental Education programmes, including co-construction of a number of resources.

Robyn works with clients to clarify facilitation needs, the purpose and timing, plan for appropriate outcomes and to ensure that everyone is engaged and well prepared. The facilitation methods she uses are participatory, inclusive and interactive. An experienced independent facilitator such as Robyn allows all participants to equally contribute to a well-constructed process.

Robyn works part time for Toimata Foundation in the role of resource support.

Robyn has completed all seven modules of the Technology of Participation Facilitative Leadership Program, and holds a Diploma in Facilitative Management.

Robyn is a qualified Technology of Participation Facilitative Leadership program trainer for program modules 1- 3.