From over 100 applicants.. to TWELVE amazing young people…
We’re excited to introduce you to the 2025/26 BLAKE Ambassadors!
Through our partnerships with Earth Sciences New Zealand, Department of Conservation, University of Waikato, and Antarctica NZ, these rangatahi are working towards being the environmental changemakers of tomorrow, and will be taking part in important science and conservation projects across New Zealand, and Antarctica, over the coming months.
They’ll be working alongside expert science teams and learning about ongoing research and field work.
Here’s the line-up, and what they had to say about their upcoming projects;
Sophie Lemon – DOC NZ Southern Dotterel Ambassador // Kia ora, my name is Sophie and I am the BLAKE DOC NZ Southern Dotterel Ambassador for 2025/26. I am really looking forward to going down to Rakiura/Stewart Island and working with the DOC team on the Pukunui recovery program. I have always felt extra passionate for our critically endangered species and have even presented a speech at Parliament when I was 9 years old demanding protection for Maui Dolphins. I am excited to learn about backcountry predator control as most of my trapping experience has been in urban environments. I have been interested in conservation since a really young age. I have always looked up to role models in conservation from Professors Liz Slooten and Steve Dawson and their work with the NZ native dolphins to Shaun O’Connor’s work with native birds on Rakiura, Rēkohu and Pūkaha. I can’t wait to share my Rakiura experiences with my friends, family and colleagues when I return.
Sam Boothroyd – ESNZ Marine Ambassador // Kia Ora, my name is Sam Boothroyd, I am currently studying Environmental Science majoring in Sustainable coastlines at the University of Canterbury. I am completely driven by my passion for the outdoors along with my fascination of the marine world. the sea and nature has always been deeply rooted in my life and I have grown up in and around it, I hope to continue this in my career. I am super excited for the opportunity to experience a month at sea doing real and important hands on work in the deep sea research and fisheries space. I am especially excited to see the huge variety in form and function amongst these deep sea dwellers, identifying what allows these organisms to tolerate such extreme and hostile conditions of the deep sea whilst also finding their place in the food chain really ignites a fire in me and I cannot wait to gain a deeper insight into this alien world. A fun fact about myself is that I am extremely food motivated, most of my hobbies involve eating such as hunting, fishing, spearfishing and foraging and going into this trip I already know I will be wondering what each deep sea organism tastes like each day.
Jasmin Manning – DOC Hoiho Ambassador // Kia ora, my name is Jasmin Manning and I am the 2025/26 DOC Hoiho Ambassador! Born and raised in Auckland, I’m currently an MSc student in Marine Science at the University of Auckland, soon to begin my thesis on Māui dolphin distribution and demographics. What excites me most about this project is the opportunity to work directly with one of Aotearoa’s most threatened coastal species, aligning with my passion for protecting endangered and endemic wildlife. With a long-term goal of contributing to endangered species conservation, I’m looking forward to gaining practical experience supporting this taonga species alongside DOC during the vulnerable moult stage of their life cycle. In my free time, I coordinate UoA’s Marine Science Society (@uoamarinesciencesociety), play football and love going to the beach or reading a good book.
Josh Buddhdev – ESNZ Aquaculture Ambassador // I’m Josh, a keen Aucklander who’s looking forward to working with all the different sizes of haku at the Northland Aquaculture RAS Farm. This is because I’m interested in how different the techniques for looking after/feeding the various life stages of the kingfish are. In my spare time, I enjoy playing football with my mates and taking photos.
Jamie Baldwin – ESNZ Climate and Atmosphere // Kia ora! My name is Jamie and I’m based out in Ōtepoti Dunedin where I am a masters student in physical geography at the University of Otago. I’m writing my thesis on atmospheric moisture transport to Antarctica, so I currently spend a lot of time in front of a computer writing code and messing around with data. I love all things geoscience, and while climatology/meteorology is my favourite, I’ve always been deeply in love with geochemistry (palaeoceanography-flavoured), so I am very eager to get back into my old happy place – the lab!! In the rare instance I’m not doing something sciencey, you’ll find me starting endless amounts of arts-and-crafts projects. I’m super excited to share some cool science with you all in the coming weeks!
Georgia Wilson – ESNZ Aquaculture Ambassador // Kia ora! I’m Georgia, originally from Pukekohe, Auckland, and I’ve recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from AUT. I’m currently interning with Greenwave Aotearoa in the seaweed aquaculture space. Before this, I spent some time working in cosmetics, which – combined with my background in marine biology – sparked a real passion for blue beauty. I feel honoured to have been selected as a BLAKE Aquaculture Ambassador, and I’m excited to soak up as much as I can learning from the professionals and gaining hands-on experience in the field. I can genuinely envision a future where Aotearoa’s oceans are thriving again, and I believe sustainable aquaculture will be a key part of making that happen. I’m super excited for what’s to come. Fun fact: I could eat sushi for breakfast lunch and dinner.
Eleanor Thorpe – ESNZ Freshwater Ambassador // Kia Ora! Ko Eleanor tōku ingoa. I tipu ahau i roto i Tāmaki Makaurau, ā, ināianei e noho ana ahau ki Te Whanganui a Tara ki te ako.My name is Eleanor, I grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland and now I am studying in Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington. This year I’m thrilled to be part of the BLAKE Freshwater Ambassador Programme, where I’ll be based in the Waikato working with Earth Sciences NZ on developing control methods for invasive clams, algea and aquatic plants. I’m super excited to be part of this programme, the project blends science and problem solving, to create solutions with real environmental impact. I think what I’m most looking forward to is the chance to work as a team alongside experts and scientists. A fun fact about me is I love running and always have. In fact, when I was a kid, I used to sneak out of class and run around the school grounds whenever I got bored… until the school eventually called my parents! Now days I love tramping and trail runs, although my trail runs most of the time turn into glorified walks as I stop every few steps to look at an interesting bug or plant… which means my “quick” trail runs are never actually quick! But that’s the perks of trail running right! just blame it on the hills.
Arianna Manukau – ESNZ Marine Ambassador // Tenā koutou katoa, Ko Taupiri tōku maunga, Ko Waikato tōku awa, Ko Tainui tōku iwi, ko Horahora tōku marae, Ko Katikati ahau, Kei Wellington tōku kāinga ināinei, Ko Manukau tōku whānau, Ko Ariana tōku ingoa.
Kia ora, my name is Ariana! I am an MSc student at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, specialising in marine biology, with a focus on lanternfish biodiversity. I am originally from Katikati in the Bay of Plenty; however, I have spent the last four years calling Te Whanganui-a-Tara home. This summer, I will be voyaging on the Tangaro research vessel with Earth Sciences NZ. I am most excited to learn more about Earth Science NZ’s acoustic surveys and the technology used to conduct them, as my study species makes up a significant proportion of the deep acoustic scattering layer.
Angus Davis – DOC Kākāpō Ambassador // Kia ora. My name is Angus Sonny Davis, I am a masters student studying Zoology at the University of Otago. My master’s research is focused on New Zealand’s lizards (specifically skinks), using genetic tools to uncover hidden species diversity and explore evolutionary patterns. The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of the relationships between species and how these skinks are managed. I am extremely passionate about conservation and exploring ways we can improve species management and combat the global biodiversity crisis. I am especially interested in reptiles and amphibians, but have a deep love and affinity for all wildlife. I am super excited about being named the BLAKE kākāpō ambassador for 2025 and getting to experience the world-class species management of this critically endangered taonga first-hand. I am especially looking forward to the possibility of seeing a kākāpō in the wild and learning about the rich cultural history of the pest-free island they call home (Whenua Hou). In my free time, you will always find me outdoors, whether it’s hiking, fishing, diving, I love immersing myself in nature and discovering the small wonders of the natural world around me.
Anna Meikle – ESNZ Freshwater Ambassador // Kia ora, my name is Anna and I’m one of Earth Science New Zealand’s Freshwater Ambassadors. I am from Tauranga, but I currently live in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, as I am completing my master’s in water science at the University of Canterbury. I am super excited about my upcoming project, particularly working on control methods for invasive clams. In my spare time, I love being outdoors, especially tramping and skiing!!
Adam Wilson – University of Waikato/Antarctica NZ Ambassador // Hey, I’m Adam from Dunedin. I am a big outdoors guy and really excited to be working on a project which could have implications not only for us here on earth but out in the rest of the solar system too.
Sam Woolcott – University of Waikato/Antarctica NZ Ambassador // Kia ora, I’m Sam. I’m from Upper Hutt but have been living in Dunedin for the last few years while studying. When I’m not at uni you’ll find me planning missions or somewhere around the country whitewater kayaking. I’m very excited to be heading to Antarctica with BLAKE this summer. I’ve always been fascinated by how wild and unique the Antarctic environment is, and how things manage to survive in such extreme conditions. I’m keen to learn as much as possible and work alongside an international team contributing to both global polar research and local science outreach. Watch this space 🙂
