Over the past 50 years, countless people have contributed to WWF-New Zealand’s mahi to protect Aotearoa’s native species and habitats. Here are just some of the remarkable people whose leadership, passion, and vision helped shape our legacy.
Selwyn Field, WWF-New Zealand’s first Executive Director, was instrumental in establishing the organisation in 1975 and securing vital funding in its early years.
A true conservation pioneer, Field brought a deep passion for wildlife and public engagement to his work. Prior to joining WWF, he served as the first Chief Executive Commissioner of the Scout Association of New Zealand, and in 1969 he founded Conservation Week, which remains a fixture in Aotearoa’s environmental calendar.
He was awarded an OBE in recognition of his services to youth and conservation.
A key political figure and one of WWF-New Zealand’s founding trustees, Brigadier Duncan MacIntyre was also New Zealand’s first ever Minister for the Environment (an appointment made in 1972 to reflect mounting public concern over environmental issues).
In this role he helped establish the Commission for the Environment (a forerunner to today’s Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment), and represented New Zealand at the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment - where he publicly condemned French nuclear testing in the Pacific and famously cycled between venues to make a point about sustainability.
MacIntyre was deputy Prime Minister under Robert Muldoon from 1981.
Sir Joseph Holmes Miller, a notable New Zealand surveyor, Antarctic explorer and conservationist, was another of WWF-New Zealand’s founders.
He advised governments on Antarctic affairs for over two decades, helped establish Scott Base as New Zealand’s Antarctic Headquarters, and served as deputy leader of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic 1958 Trans-Antarctic Expedition. In recognition of his contributions, the Miller Range in Antarctica is named after him.
The Duke of Edinburgh had a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation and was involved with WWF from its earliest days. From 1961 he served in various leadership roles - including President of WWF-UK, member of the International Board, International President, and later President Emeritus.
Prince Philip was also a steadfast supporter of WWF-New Zealand from its inception. In 1986, he delivered the keynote address at a fundraising lunch for WWF-New Zealand held at Peacock Springs wildlife park in Christchurch, helping to raise vital funds for the still-young organisation. On a later visit in 1995, he lent his support to a WWF-New Zealand campaign to protect the tuatara.
Conservationist, philanthropist, and patron of the arts, Lady Diana Isaac was a long-standing supporter of WWF-New Zealand, particularly championing our work in the South Island.
In the 1980s, she provided funding and resources for WWF to run environmental education roadshows throughout the South Island, helping to connect tamariki and communities with nature. She was also closely involved with WWF’s Christchurch group, which hosted a successful fundraising luncheon with HRH Prince Philip during one of his visits to Aotearoa.
Her legacy lives on through the Isaac Wildlife Trust and the many conservation and cultural organisations she generously supported.
Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and WWF-New Zealand Trustee (1985–2005), Sir Rob Fenwick was a tireless advocate for conservation and sustainability.
He played a leading role in many major movements - from predator control to waste minimisation - and co-founded the Aotearoa Circle, a powerful alliance of business and government leaders committed to protecting New Zealand’s natural capital.
His visionary leadership helped shape a predator-free future and advanced protection efforts for kiwi and other taonga species.
Global explorer and environmental advocate Sir Edmund Hillary served on WWF’s International Advisory Committee and joined the WWF-New Zealand Board in 1996.
Beyond his legendary first ascent of Everest in 1953, Hillary devoted decades to giving back - building schools and clinics in Nepal, and helping clean up Everest. His deep connection with the Sherpa community included mentoring Mingma Norbu Sherpa, a former student who became the first Sherpa Chief Warden of Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, and later led WWF’s Eastern Himalayas Programme.
Mingma tragically died in a 2006 helicopter crash after handing over stewardship of Mt Kangchenjunga to local communities. In his memory, WWF-New Zealand established the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2007 to support students from remote regions of Nepal to study at Lincoln University, his alma mater.
As Sir Hillary said in 1994, “I have been associated with the World Wide Fund for Nature for many years. It is the sort of organisation that New Zealand needs now and will need even more in the future, if we are going to see real cooperation between scientists, the business community, government and the voluntary sector in solving some of our biggest environmental problems.”
Dame Catherine Tizard, the first woman to serve as both Auckland’s Mayor and New Zealand’s Governor-General, was Chair of WWF-New Zealand’s Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2000, and later served as Patron.
A passionate advocate for nature, her leadership helped guide WWF-New Zealand through a period of significant growth and national impact.
Helen Hughes served as New Zealand’s first Parliamentary Commissioner from 1987 until 1996. She was responsible for establishing the office as an independent environmental watchdog and was unafraid to challenge the government of the day. During her tenure, Helen produced many reports that challenged the status quo and sought to improve environmental outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand, and was a strong advocate for respecting Treaty principles, Treaty settlement recommendations and enhanced Māori participation in the environmental management system
Helen was a member of the WWF-New Zealand Board from 1997 to 2003, bringing her deep integrity and public service legacy to the organisation.
An ecologist and former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (1997–2007), Dr Morgan Williams joined the WWF-New Zealand Board in 2009 and served as Chair from 2012 to 2019.
During his tenure, WWF contributed to doubling the protected area for Māui dolphins, launched the annual Conservation Innovation Awards, supported landscape-scale protection in Northland, and played a key role in advancing the Kermadec/Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary proposal.
Dr Williams also served on the WWF International Council.
These individuals represent just a handful of the many leaders, visionaries, and advocates who have shaped WWF-New Zealand over the past 50 years. Their contributions - whether through science, governance, diplomacy, or community - have helped forge a legacy of bold action for nature.