Our Team

Simon Yates

Simon’s father handed him his first fishing rod at the age of five. From that moment on fishing for him became far more than just a means to an end. It influenced where he lived, where he holidayed, who is best mates were, his skill development in boating, tackle management and preparing kai moana. It helped shape his proud kiwi heritage.

Simon has a substantial and award winning sporting, sponsorship, promotional marketing and advertising background. An extremely creative and strategic thinker he can help make LegaSea supporters not just leaders but heroes of the future.

“I can’t stand by and watch the destruction of our kiwi lifestyle so that a very few fellow kiwis can selfishly manage our fishery into a desert for their own short term gain.

“I want to pass on the life rewarding opportunity that fishing provides, not just a bunch of old photos and bedtime stories of how it once was. This vision cannot be achieved alone. We need every kiwi to play their part. It’s the responsibility of us all”

Trish Rea

Trish is a professional and experienced advocate, and has more than a decade of fisheries management experience.

She has worked on issues from sustainability reviews to policy management to public rights, and is extremely dynamic in her ability to spread information and increase public awareness.

Naturally, she brings an extensive network of well-developed, positive working relationships with recreational fishing, tangata whenua and environmental interest groups.

Trish is a valuable part of the team – not just for her professionalism, smarts and experience – but because she’s got tons of energy and is loads of fun.

Sam Woolford

Sam grew up with the Manukau Harbour as his backyard. His earliest fishing memories were of his father rowing a wooden clinker across Blockhouse Bay catching kahawai on spinners. From here, his passion for the ocean grew. It became the underlying factor in many of his life decisions.

He qualified as a dive instructor; summers were spent delivering boats up and down the country and working on a super yacht in New Caledonia. After returning from a 5-year hiatus in Europe the noticeable decline in the health of our coastal fisheries spurred Sam’s desire to make an active decision to give something back. His decision to join the LegaSea team is part of his commitment to enable future generations the opportunity to experience the same wonders he did as a child.

With a Marketing and IT background, and as a qualified accountant Sam’s role is centred on fundraising and grant seeking. Previously he was the Digital Marketing Manager for a global IT company and Manager of a small digital Marketing Agency.

Pieter Battaerd

Since 2005 Pieter has served as a volunteer including helping with Kahawai Legal Challenge fund raising roles, Hokianga Accord ringa wera (kitchen hand), LegaSea Boat Show attendances and a variety of other roles. There are many people who can thank him for his encouragement to subscribe and contribute. He brings to our team a valued mix of humility and generosity.

He is passionate about helping others. Pieter has been a fire fighter for 16 years, served on Boards of community organisations or simply been the ‘go to’ man when a problem needs solving. He loves nothing more than helping people catch their first fish.

Pieter now takes responsibility for serving the growing LegaSea subscriber and contributor community. His job is to help people encourage others to come aboard and spread the word.

Scott Cushman

Scott is our Community Builder. He is committed to LegaSea and protecting our fisheries because the sea has provided him with thousands of fond memories involving four generations of his family.

He first tried to catch fish in a bucket of water at age 3. Since then it’s been countless sunrises, big red rock caught snapper, sprats on a hand-line and tugging tuatuas out of surf swept sand. It is these experiences and resulting respect of New Zealand’s rich marine environment that inspires him to share LegaSea’s vision of abundance.

Scott’s vision for LegaSea is to grow the grass roots support into a community of people who will lend voices, wallets and votes to accomplish the vision of abundance.

We already have a Scott at LegaSea (that’s Macindoe), so to avoid any confusion we now call this Scott “Cush” and he suits his new name because he’s such a gentleman.

Lewis Avenell

Lewis grew up fishing on the Kaipara Harbour. Later he joined the Big Fish Fishing Club. After moving to Taranaki and joining the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club he soon took up the role of club delegate to the Council. He quickly found himself appointed to be the Waikato/Taranaki representative on the NZSFC Board. Due to his growing interest Lewis is now an active contributor to the Fisheries Management – Marine Protection Sub-Committee.

Peter Campbell

Peter is a respected member of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council’s executive and was Vice President from 2001 to 2009. He is based in Tauranga and has been a zone delegate to the NZSFC Board for 16 years. His distinctive leadership style ensures efficient development of fisheries management submissions and policy documents, and delivery of regular updates for members and supporters.

Wayne Bicknell

Wayne is a life member of the Hawke’s Bay Sport Fishing Club and an IGFA representative.

His years of experience, both in the Ministry’s Area 2 Regional Recreational Fisheries Forum and as a founding member of LegaSea Hawkes Bay, means Wayne is a valuable asset to the Fisheries Management – Marine Protection Sub-committee of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea team.

Wayne has always been a passionate fisherman with a strong sense of commitment to leave the fishery in a better state for those who follow.

Paul Brislen

After nearly 20 years in PR and journalism, Paul has written for many of the country’s newspapers and has been called upon as a commentator on internet and technology related matters by TV and radio alike. Paul ran the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) for three years, lobbying on behalf of phone and internet users and now runs his own company offering strategic communications advice. Paul gets sick when on small boats so confines his fishing activities to eating them.

Josh Barclay

Josh came on board after completing a Marine Science degree at Victoria University. Based in Wellington he represents LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council at the Wellington-based Science Working groups meetings run by the Ministry for Primary Industries, and other agencies.

Josh has spent time as a research assistant, designing a shark tagging system around Wellington’s harbours. He is an avid diver and loves to spend his spare time exploring the rugged coastlines around the lower North Island.

Josh spent a lot of time around the Nelson/Marlborough area when he was younger, the experiences he was lucky enough to have inspired him to make sure this is available for everyone into the future. “Spending so much time in such a breath-taking location, right off my doorstep, developed the passion and enthusiasm I have today. I want to make sure all New Zealanders can have this also, it’s what makes us who we are.”

John Holdsworth

John Holdsworth is our Fisheries Science Expert – the man who tells it like it is – using language that we can all understand.

John is Director of BlueWater Marine Research – a company that conducts a range of scientific research projects, with a special focus on recreational fish species and management issues.

He has over 20 years of experience in fisheries research and is a member of multiple Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Science Working Groups including Highly Migratory Species, Inshore Finfish, and Marine Amateur Fisheries.

John is often seated at the important decision-making tables, and he has this fantastic ability to translate complex fisheries management issues into simple concepts.

Because of all this, and so much more, we think he is more valuable than gold.

Mark Connor

Mark is the Council’s Immediate Past President. He is a long-term member of the Ashley Sport Fishing Club in North Canterbury. Mark is the South Island’s representative on the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Board. Mark is keen to continue working to ensure the next generation of New Zealanders enjoy quality fishing, a productive marine ecosystem and strong representation of amateur fishing interests.

Scott Macindoe

Scott Macindoe is the backbone of LegaSea. His passion is to make certain that the Vision of ‘more fish in the water for future generations’ is not something that we just talk about – he wants it to become our REALITY.

He is an active environmentalist, a good fisherman, a talented networker, a successful businessman, a green-fingered gardener & a loving family man. His mind is often miles ahead of the others in the room – it is his clarity, insightfulness and ability to think laterally that are his real diamonds.

Scott is totally clear that we can successfully create an organised, professional and respected group that does a fantastic job to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. He is all about working positively Together, witnessed by his efforts to connect recreational fishers with tangata whenua and environmental groups around New Zealand. Scott believes success will be achieved together by understanding & respecting each other’s aspirations and needs.

His energy is infectious and his passions are inspiring. Call Scott on (021) 622463 or email [email protected].

Richard Baker

Richard is a founding member of the NZ Land Based Game Fishing Club and has been involved with the Council for 26 years. Richard was President from 2008 to 2011, and is now the Council’s youngest ever life member. He is one of New Zealand’s IGFA representatives and a Trustee of the NZ Marine Research Foundation. Richard’s experience is invaluable when he represents the Council as LegaSea’s spokesperson on fisheries management, policy and public education issues.