Rob McGowan (JP, M.Soc.Sc. Waikato)
Rob currently works for the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is the Amo Aratu for Nga Whenua Rahui (NWR). He was the founding Chair of the Kaimai-Mamaku Catchments Forum and is currently the Patron of the Forum.
Rob is an authority on rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) and is well respected nationally for his work with and for the restoration of rongoā Māori practice in New Zealand. He was an expert witness to the Wai 262 Claim, and since the publication of the Tribunal’s Report, involved in its implementation. He continues to work as an advisor to numerous Government agencies, Māori tribal authorities and for a number of rongoā Māori related research and education initiatives.
In his current work, he is heavily involved in helping to build a bridge between Western Science and Matauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) in conservation management. Rob has been a long time member of the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board and past Chairman.