About us

Ebi Hussain (Founder)

I am an Environmental Scientist with a master’s in aquatic ecotoxicology. I have a decade of industry experience and my area of specialty is limnology, water quality and aquatic ecology. I am also a G.U.E. technical and scientific SCUBA diver. I provide scientific input for our projects and lead our technical dive team. I have been diving since I was 12 years old and I always tried to document what I saw in the water, this developed into a passion for aquatic ecosystems and citizen science. I spend most of my time swimming around the bottom of a lake so let me know if you are keen for a dive.

Maddison Jones (Founder)

In the week I am a hard-working Ecologist and in the weekend, I am an enthusiastic lake lover who wants to make one small change at a time. I have a double major in environmental science and marine biology and have worked in the industry since 2017. As well as technical input I have a passion for education and community engagement. As the only non-diver you can find me on the shore or snorkeling wherever the projects are. I am always willing to have a chat about the wonderful country we live in and especially its ecology. Feel free to send an email or come along and support my shenanigans on the shore.

Louise Greenshields (Founder)

I’ve been diving for 15 years gaining professional qualifications with PADI and technical training with Global Underwater Explorers within their trimix and cave curriculum. I have a scientific background with a BSc in Environmental Science and am also working towards a PGDip in Marine Science, there is a lot to learn in this constantly changing area!

Underwater is my happy place: Diving at the Poor Knights; exploring a cave; surveying by braille in a chilly lake; or even cleaning exhibits at work – it gives my mind some space. I can’t wait to see where this work leads.

Christian (Stimo) Stimson

As a (self-confessed) frustrated spaceman, Christian’s love for diving comes from being as close to zero gravity as possible. Following the move to technical diving, and acquiring the skills and precision that trimix and decompression diving requires, but not being a ‘fishy person’, Christian has been seeking a meaningful outlet for his diving. After helping to run a survey of HMSNZ Waikato, where his Naval Architecture training proved useful, it sparked an interest in Documentation that timed with GUE’s Project Baseline. Since then, an occasional assist on sensor retrieval dives in Lake Pupuke has evolved to lugging tanks through a farm. "I love the smell of hydrogen sulphide in the morning…’

Tim Bulmer

Hi my name is Tim, I enjoy volunteering with Aotearoa Lakes because it gives my diving purpose and I feel really good after a session volunteering. I also love planning the logistics for these projects which gives me an outlet to keep enjoying my scuba diving.

Tyler Ungureanu volunteer

I am the youngest member of this organization and you would usually find me diving at the bottom of a lake or behind a server, some may say the only tech savvy one. I have a passion for lakes and computer science compelling me to get qualified with GUE Rec3, GUE Gas Blender and Cisco certified networking associate. These qualifications and my passion for lakes has led me to be a second in command for the dive team. Amongst the team I aim to use emerging technologies to protect and care for New Zealand lakes as they are something incredible that need to be protected and cared for.

Wednesday Davis (Content Creator) -Volunteer

Wednesday is a fifth-year student at the University of Auckland currently working towards her MSc in Marine Biology investigating the drivers of feeding aggregations in the Hauraki Gulf. Originally from Mount Maunganui, she is an avid diver and loves being in, on and around the water and loves sharing her passion for environmental conservation, research and education with others.

Josh & Annika (Volunteers)

Annika Andresen and Josh Fretwell are avid divers who have grown up around the sea. Josh is a marine biologist and sets up aquariums around the World. Annika has also worked as a dive instructor and is currently working as an environmental educator for BLAKE. In their spare time you will find them exploring outdoors, either diving below the surface, surfing the waves or hiking the mountains. They are passionate about inspiring others to understand and protect our environment for generations to come.

Russ (Volunteer)

Russ is s dive instructor and seasoned technical SCUBA diver with a passion for the environment. Russ has been instrumental in training a lot of our divers and providing dive support. He has participated in various scientific diving projects around the world ranging from caves in Mexico to deep reefs in Fiji.

Mark Long (Volunteer)

An experienced and passionate diver, Mark became a member of the team in 2017.  As a diving instructor, he has trained divers from many diverse backgrounds.  His focus is now on assisting with scientific research projects and promoting environmental protection. This enables him to combine his passion for diving, whilst contributing to understanding and improving the aquatic realm.

Holly Fleming (Volunteer)

Holly is a Marine Science MSc student at the University of Auckland, but her love of New Zealand's lakes has grown rapidly over the past year! she was lucky enough to be involved in monitoring the health of some of Auckland's lakes over the 2019/2020 summer and it has made her excited to be able to contribute more to improving our lakes health for future generations. The main areas where she volunteers for NZ Lakes are in statistical analysis and data visualization, as well as getting in the water to dive to see what's going on under the surface.

Nicole Haerewa (Volunteer)

Nicole is a terrestrial scientist with a strong focus on biosecurity issues. She hopes to protect taonga and native species from invasive threats. Nicole can be found on the outskirts of the lake doing vegetation surveys and discussing pest management options with the team. Nicole enjoys a range of outdoor pursuits and will often be taking photos of the team and environment along the way.