James Beattie

James believes that building a connection through learning is key to protecting our environment!

As Duty Operations Manager for our conservation learning team, James supports the development and delivery of education experiences at the Zoo. These experiences are designed to be inspiring and inclusive for all learners, aligning with both national curriculum outcomes and our conservation kaupapa.

He began his career delivering outdoor education programmes across Aotearoa New Zealand, designing and leading experiences that supported NCEA Levels 1–3, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and wider EOTC frameworks. He has also worked in schools, and as a coach and mentor for disabled youth in the UK – experiences that shaped his inclusive, learner-centred approach.

His commitment to the environment led him to complete postgraduate study in Sustainable Management. Most recently, he worked as a Senior Low Carbon Specialist with Auckland Council’s Education and Community Climate Action team. After that, he and his whānau embarked on a cycling adventure across Europe – living their values and deepening their connection to people and place.

James says learning should be hands-on, hopeful and connected – helping everyone see that we are a part of nature and not apart from it. “At the Zoo we play such a big role in connecting our visitors to nature. If we can help people feel a stronger sense of belonging to te taiao, we can inspire them to take meaningful steps to help us all thrive.”

Koha Kahui-McConnell

He uri tenei nō Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Maniapoto anō hoki. Ko Koha tōku ingoa.

Koha is our Kaupapa Māori focused facilitator for the Conservation Learning Team. Prior to joining our Zoo, he worked in community education with a focus on waste diversion with Para Kore Ki Tāmaki and marine conservation with Experiencing Marine Reserves (E.M.R.).

Koha has a passion and deep appreciation for the marine environment. Growing up in and around the moana, he loved discovering all of the mysteries and wonders that the ocean has to offer. “One of the projects that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of is the work with Auckland University around kina barrens, helping rangatahi Māori to connect with what is beneath the surface and providing them with a lens through which to make positive changes in their own lives or advocate for change in their communities.”

His favourite session to facilitate is ‘Adaptations’, focusing on the Sumatran tigers and Sunda gharial in our South East Asia Jungle Track. As Koha explains, both species have some really incredible and impressive adaptations and as the gharial typically bask right next to the viewing glass, this gives the students a detailed look at their incredibly well adapted bodies. Our facilitators also have ‘artefacts’ on hand that really amplify the tactile experience for the students.

“Online learning platforms paired with in class learning can give students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience these types of messages or animals. Our educational sessions include a comprehensive understanding of specific animal species, the issues that they face and how we can help to protect them.”

Nic Charlton

Nic has a passion for wildlife, especially insects – and has worked with everything from the bumble bee to the giant wētā! He joined our Zoo whānau in 2019, emigrating here from the United Kingdom. Initially, he worked as a keeper in our birds and ectotherms teams before joining our conservation learning team in June 2023.  

Nic earnt his Masters in Entomology and went on to achieve a PhD from the University of Bristol studying the behaviour and ecology of bumble bees! He has a background as a science teacher, has worked at Bristol Zoo and worked in community conservation here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“I love interacting with members of our community to build wonder in the natural world, connecting them with nature, or motivating them to make decisions that benefit wildlife. I am a firm believer in many small actions adding up to make a positive difference,” says Nic.

Our ‘Awesome Aotearoa’ session is a particular favourite of his because of the range of endemic species that learners get to see and hear about – like the incredible wētāpunga! This taonga species holds a special place in Nic’s heart as he was able to help with two releases of these giant wētā to offshore islands as part of Auckland Zoo’s breed for release programme.  

“If visiting the Zoo presents a challenge, you can engage with us through our Conservation Learning Online platform. Here, learners can work through our interactive learning modules at their own pace, at a time that suits them, from anywhere in the world and they’re produced by expert Zoo staff.”

PJ Bickerstaff

You may know PJ from our free Tamariki Time sessions for toddlers, or from seeing him at your local Auckland library. As he says, “No two days in my role are the same!”

Prior to his Zoo role, PJ led the education team at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium – putting his coast-side upbringing and BSc in Marine Ecology to use. He had the privilege of a childhood surrounded by nature and the elements – growing up between the family farm, local veterinary clinic, the bush and the beach – all of which has helped to inform his mahi today.    

“I am particularly passionate about connecting people to blue spaces; helping them to appreciate and understand the importance of coastal, estuarine and wetland systems – and how we impact them as humans. Aotearoa has one of the longest coastlines and is considered the seabird and penguin capital of the world. 70% of the oxygen that we breathe is produced by algae in the ocean, so living in harmony with blue spaces is vital,” explains PJ.

His favourite session to teach is ‘Protecting Aotearoa’ as he sees it as a fantastic opportunity to highlight the reality of biodiversity in New Zealand – from endemic species to introduced pests. Kids will practice using tracking tunnels and consider actions like responsible pet ownership and various trapping methods - ultimately translating curiosity into compassion and action for te taiao. 

“Utilising digital technology as a resource for learning has become second nature for many of us - whether at home, school, at work or in public. Our online learning platform improves accessibility to conservation learning by removing some financial, physical and social barriers – taking the messages to platforms that people already use.”

Chris Turner

Chris once taught alongside Life Education’s beloved Harold the giraffe!

A qualified schoolteacher, Chris has also dabbled in Aquatic Education, Health Education, Biosecurity with MPI and Sports Coaching.

For Chris, sharing in students’ excitement and enthusiasm when they visit the Zoo is a real privilege. He explains, “I am passionate about empowering future generations to connect with and protect the natural world. I know how much joy the natural world brings to my life, and I wish to share this with our young people.”

A favourite session for Chris is teaching about ‘Endangered Species’ as he believes it allows students to formulate their own thoughts and ideas around making a difference for animals under threat.

The idea of ‘conservation optimism’ is an important theme for the Zoo and this is woven into the content throughout this session. He says it’s really heartening to realise that there are little things we can all do each day that can collectively make a positive difference – which can help grow this optimism.

“I’m a classroom teacher at heart, so I know firsthand how valuable this online learning platform like this can be. It’s a great way for teachers to bring the Zoo into the classroom and inspire young people about our incredible natural world.” 

Linda Madden

Linda brings a variety of experience to our conservation learning team! A child of teachers, Linda initially resisted the profession until she found her calling after her kids were born. She began with facilitating Early Child Education (ECE) workshops for parents who lived rurally in the South Island – and to her surprise, she never looked back!

In the early 2000s she returned to her hometown of Tāmaki Makaurau and began teaching a range of social and environmental science courses, both at the University of Auckland and as a geography teacher at an international school.

“In Aotearoa we have a such amazing wildlife and natural spaces. However, in the city the opportunities for students to experience these spaces is often limited. Te Wao Nui – our Aotearoa New Zealand track - is a really special place which allows learners from all walks of life not just to encounter native species, but also to learn about the issues they face and how we can take action to rehabilitate wild spaces.”

Linda believes living in harmony with nature is of the utmost importance, and by acknowledging our connection with the Earth, we can better care for and respect it. Some of her favourite sessions to facilitate are those that give young people opportunities to think creatively about environmental solutions.

“Auckland Zoo’s online learning system allows people to engage in meaningful education, in a fluid way that matches their needs. Connections with nature don’t need to exclusively happen in the Zoo grounds, and learning from home means that we can all apply our knowledge in and around our local environments.”