NEXT environmental initiative the Rotoroa Island Trust has farewelled its Chairman Barrie Brown.
Barrie has stepped down after a decade at the helm – and oversaw the transition from being
a former Salvation Army drug and rehabilitation centre to the conservation park and wildlife
sanctuary it is today.

NEXT CEO Bill Kermode said
“Barrie has led the transformation of the island into a wonderful conservation park for the Hauraki Gulf and for New Zealand, and has been the key person in developing strong partnerships with The Salvation Army and Auckland Zoo. His stewardship of the Trust leaves a lasting legacy.”

Barrie Brown , who has taken over as Chair of NEXT, reflected “Development of the conservation park at Rotoroa is something I will look back on with great pride. It has involved many great people, and great partnerships, and been an enormous pleasure for me to be involved with.”

As well as being a wildlife sanctuary for endangered species like the Kiwi and Takahe, Rotoroa Island also offers an environmental educational programme for schools, and has a unique conservation relationship with Auckland Zoo.