MCC says ka kite to our catchment coordinator
Shannon Parker has been the Coordinator of the Motueka Catchment Collective (MCC) since March 2023 and sadly finished her role at the end of September 2025.
Over the past two and a half years, Shannon has led the first stage of MCC’s work once the contract with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was awarded; focusing on establishing community groups, coordinating collaborative actions with the council, property owners & key businesses in the Valley. Shannon’s role coming to an end marked the completion of MCC’s initial phase.
MCC has been very lucky to have had Shannon as its Coordinator as she is an Environmental Scientist with a Masters degree in Freshwater Ecology and has over 15 years of professional experience working in catchments across several countries. Originally from South America, she began her career as a researcher focused on water quality and freshwater ecosystems, co-founding an environmental consultancy which produced environmental impact reports for large, water-related projects including hydropower, horticulture, agriculture, forestry, and mining.
Through this work, Shannon realised that many water conservation challenges were not purely technical but stemmed from a lack of communication and shared understanding between involved parties. This inspired her to train in facilitation to support multi-stakeholder collaboration around land and water management, leading to a position as a Freshwater Programme Coordinator for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). There she led a conservation strategy in a major river basin in Patagonia, as well as collaborating with the international network in other freshwater conservation projects around the globe. The initiative served as a pilot for implementing a whole-of-catchment governance approach, resulting in an agreement signed by over 70 organisations committed to collaborative land and water management.
Shannon’s passion for forested environments, birthed from her deep love for the rainforest landscapes of Patagonia, led her to Aotearoa New Zealand. She began collaborating on an environmental project at the Clutha River in Wānaka and later worked as a project manager for Kaitiakitanga Mahinga Kai initiatives in Canterbury.
Having visited the Motueka Valley and surrounding areas on several holidays, Shannon was drawn to the region and keen to get involved with a local catchment initiative. She was excited to find a newly forming community group full of motivation and commitment, and so her journey with MCC began.
Many of you will have met Shannon at working bees & events or seen her kayaking, fishing or swimming in the river. However, what you may not have seen is the work she has done behind the scenes: facilitating groups, holding space for important conversations, finding the right experts to share knowledge, organising events and workshops to build capacity, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and developing outreach and engagement strategies.
Shannon says it has been a privilege to witness the evolution of the community especially in the wake of the recent floods which sparked a heartening response and increased commitment from groups wanting to collaborate and focus on the wellbeing of the catchment. She has also observed growing engagement between the Motueka Catchment community, local council and iwi, as well as the beginnings of stronger collaboration with land users including farmers, foresters, and horticulturalists. Shannon hopes these relationships will thrive as MCC moves into its next chapter.
She is deeply grateful for all she has learned from both the environment and the people of the Motueka Catchment. She will miss the beauty of the Valley and the many people who are working with dedication and care for its future.
Shannon has great respect for the work MCC has done so far in restoring the catchment, protecting it from pests and engaging local communities. She hopes that MCC will continue to play a leading role in bringing together key stakeholders to explore enhanced land management practices in light of the recent floods, and to build momentum around more sustainable approaches across the catchment’s primary land uses.
MCC is truly grateful for everything Shannon has contributed over her term. Her leadership, knowledge, and care have been instrumental in moving the Collective forward. We wish her all the best on the next step of her journey.