BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust Executive Director

Executive director of the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust, Canadian Michelle Impey, is proud to be helping save the national icon of her adopted home.

“I’ve fallen in love with New Zealand since I arrived in 2002 and it’s just wonderful to have a job that enables me to support the work being done to save the kiwi.  Working with the Trust connects me with some amazing, passionate, committed people – community groups and Department of Conservation staff, right across the country.”

Michelle came to New Zealand to visit her brother and his family, fell for the place and decided to stay. A keen outdoors woman, she has spent countless hours exploring the country via bike, kayak or on foot, running and hiking.  She has a couple of significant “notches in her belt”, having completed the Kepler Challenge twice, Ironman New Zealand and  Adventure Racing Coromandel’s (ARC) 24-hour adventure race.

"While I didn’t have a big background in conservation, I love New Zealand’s environment and I’m learning a lot.  My marketing and business skills are needed for  increasing awareness, education and funding for kiwi.

"It’s my goal to have four million aware Kiwis who care about their national bird’s plight. We have populations that could become extinct within 15 years, so action now is crucial."