Executive Committee
Tēnā koutou katoa, we are APPA’s executive committee for 2023/2024!
Liam Prince – Chairperson
Liam began his zero waste journey travelling around Aotearoa with his partner Hannah Blumhardt as The Rubbish Trip, giving talks, presentations, and creating zero waste resources. Now based in Pōneke, Liam is currently working with the Zero Waste Network and Kaicycle. Liam sees APPA as a unique entity in Aotearoa providing zero waste solutions for the plastic pollution crisis and includes a broad spectrum of people and kaupapa relating to plastic pollution.
Georgie Opie – Deputy Chairperson
Georgie comes from a medical background, having worked as an operating theatre nurse in four countries. She has recently completed her Master’s in sustainability, focusing on reducing plastic use in hospitals and is currently driving change in medical waste management. She values the work APPA does to create impact at the top of the waste hierarchy. Her personal projects include the challenge of renovating her own home sustainably and working on going car-free.
Dr. Ursula Rojas-Nazar – Treasurer
Ursula has a personal concern for plastic pollution and is always keen to do better! Ursula holds a PhD in Marine Conservation and currently works at EPA focusing on protecting Aotearoa’s marine environment and way of life in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf, while ensuring Aotearoa grows a strong and vibrant economy. During her spare time, she is conducting marine research to provide knowledge that supports better policies and management to protect our marine environments. Ursula previously served as APPA’s communications manager in 2020.
Lorella Doherty – Secretary
Living in Taranaki, Lorella is a Heart Based Plastic Educator and Artist. Her passion lies in inspiring people to be conscious of their plastic use and remembering their connection to Mother Earth; by awakening people’s heart and felt sense through her artwork, storytelling and projects. Studying Marine Biology and Environmental Science at Canterbury University she weaves science and passion together in all of her kaupapa.
Matt Peryman – Communications
Ko Putauaki te Maunga. Ko Rangitaiki te Awa. Ko Mataatua te Waka. Ko Ngāti Awa te Iwi. Ko Ngai Tamawera te Hapū. Ko Matt Peryman ahau.
Matt is a Kaupapa Māori social scientist and researcher based in Tāmaki Makaurau. As Coordinator of the Tāngata Whenua Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (TWC), Matt is closely involved in Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, while continuing to work with organisations such as Reuse Aotearoa and #BreakFreeFromPlastic in the pursuit of social, ecological, and Indigenous justice. Matt’s personal kaupapa centres collective wellbeing and intergenerational responsibility to protect our whakapapa in all research, economic, and political decision making.
