Tom Kay, Forest & Bird Freshwater Advocate, near collapsed Redclyffe Bridge after Cyclone Gabrielle. Image Chantal Pagel
Friends of the Ōtaki River welcome all to a special presentation of Making Room for Rivers following their AGM.
The AGM starts at 7.30pm and the presentation will begin after the AGM.
Tom Kay, Forest & Bird’s Freshwater Advocate, will talk about how river management in Aotearoa has worsened the impacts of flooding and degraded the health of our rivers.
He’ll discuss the impacts of flood protection engineering on our rivers and communities – including during Cyclone Gabrielle – and will outline the approach we could be taking instead.
Tom has presented to nearly 40 groups around Aotearoa this year, gathering significant attention along the way – including a feature on RNZ Saturday Morning.
This presentation is more relevant than ever and is not to be missed.
Tom Kay grew up in Hawke’s Bay but now lives in Wellington, where he works as Forest & Bird’s Freshwater Advocate.
Tom developed a keen passion for rivers whitewater kayaking on the Mohaka River throughout his childhood and continues to kayak around Aotearoa.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Ecology from Massey University in Palmerston North – where his MSc research focused on measuring changes in river habitat over time.
Tom has worked at Forest & Bird for the better part of six years and has also worked briefly as a Policy Advisor at an environmental consultancy, as a field team member in a predator control R&D organisation, and as a raft guide.
Tom’s current interest is figuring out how to get decision-makers and policy-writers to protect the natural character and habitat of rivers.