Testimonials
“As co-founder and trustee of The Takaka Biodiversity Group Trust, I have enjoyed working with Charmaine Petereit over the past four years. Charmaine has proven to be a dedicated project manager who is very capable of getting jobs done in a professional manner. Charmaine has the relevant education and experience to identify, plan, implement, monitor and report on a wide variety of projects. With her enthusiasm, education and capabilities in environmental restoration and protection, she makes an excellent project manager.
Wendy Henderson
Takaka Hill landowner
“Charmaine’s professionalism, enthusiasm, knowledge of environmental biodiversity and drive have ensured the project outcomes that have been achieved to date.
I have had the privilege of working closely with her on the Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust. Her ability to engage all stakeholders is a testament to her communication and relationship-building skills.”
Mark Simkin
Ravensdown Ngarua lime Quarry Manager
“Charmaine has worked as the Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust Project Manager since 2020. I joined the Trust shortly after its establishment and have worked closely with Charmaine since then. In my experience, she has proved to be an exceptional Project Manager.
Charmaine possesses a forward-focused, ‘big-picture’ vision, complemented by a confident, energetic, realistic and practical approach. The Trust’s achievements are a testament to her leadership, knowledge, drive and capability.
Charmaine's communication style is clear and professional, and she has effectively applied her extensive organisational and practical skills to contribute significantly to the Trust’s endeavours clearly and professionally. Charmaine has put her wide range of organisational and practical skills to productive use in her work for the Trust. Charmaine’s good-natured, honest, and reliable demeanour has not only ensured the professional management of our projects but has also played a crucial role in upholding the Trust’s legal and ethical obligations.
I believe we have been very fortunate to have Charmaine on our team. It has been a pleasure to work with someone of her calibre, and if the opportunity arises in the future, I would have no hesitation in recommending her to work for us again.”
Suzie Peacock
Chair, Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust
“Charmaine is a highly skilled educator and programme manager with particular strengths in stakeholder engagement. I have had the privilege of working closely with Charmaine on the MPI Wilding Pine programme delivered by the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust, and her passion, expertise, and commitment to fostering positive change within the community are exceptional. Without the engagement of the community in the Tākaka Hill biodiversity enhancement mahi delivered by the trust, the achievements to date would not have been possible.
Charmaine’s ability to engage with and mobilise diverse stakeholders is a testament to her outstanding communication and relationship-building skills. Charmaine has consistently demonstrated the capacity to bridge gaps between project objectives and community needs, ensuring that projects meet their goals and enrich the lives of those they serve.”
George Daly
Project Manager Jobs for Nature, Tasman District Council
“Charmaine’s personable nature, literary skills, and grasp of resource management and conservation ecology make her one of the most pleasant and professional people I have dealt with. She has a very rare ability to disseminate scientific information to academics and lay people alike and is most comfortable with and capable of public oration, in addition to being most proficient in engaging and motivating others.”
Steve O’Shea
Director, Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Senior Research Fellow Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
"Charmaine is an excellent communicator with the personality and ability to drive a project forward and effectively engage with various stakeholders, from citizens to academics and the business sector. She is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about sustainability and environmental issues”.
Iain White
Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato, New Zealand
“Thank you for your presentation to Council today, Charmaine. You set the standards so high. It was a great introduction to set the scene, leading nicely into the Smart Water Programme your team have been driving towards achieving. Appreciate what has been a lot of work to bring the programme to our Council and the community. The work on the ground to support water demand management has been world-class.”
Barry Bergin
Group Manager Service Delivery Waipa District Council
“Charmaine emerged from the community as an informed voice of reason. She exhibited a passion for renewable energy, self-motivation, initiative in seeking communication, effective methods to coordinate support and courage in facing difficult groups.”
Kerry Butler
Project Manager- Awhitu Wind Farm, Genesis Energy
“Through her single-minded determination, WISE membership grew to more than 100, and WISE has since arguably been one of the single biggest factors that has ensured the success of the Awhitu wind farm in the Environment Court to date”.
James Glennie
Chief Executive, New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA)