Shade Smith
Shade has been a consulting environmental and marine scientist since 2006. He also has a role as a Senior Analyst at Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. in the Taiao Unit and has been employed by the iwi since 2019.
Previously Shade has worked as an aquaculture scientist on selective breeding programmes for Greenshell mussels and Pacific oysters, and as a field officer coordinating research programs with regional aquaculture and fisheries stakeholders, Maori organisations, private companies and government agencies. While consulting Shade has worked on a variety of projects including open ocean aquaculture research, shellfish stock assessment, and environmental impact assessment in both freshwater and marine systems while his mahi at the iwi spans fisheries research, policy, strategy and programme development and at times providing expert evidence in RMA and Environment Court proceedings.
His passion however, is the empowerment of indigenous peoples to become more involved and productive in providing resource management solutions.