ABOUT US
Rangers of Aotearoa New Zealand (ROANZ) is a national body to promote, enhance and foster the 'Ranger' profession and spirit, both in Aotearoa and internationally.Led by a small team of dedicated volunteers, ROANZ was formed to build connections between various conservation workers, entities and ranger associations. We aim to provide opportunities through ranger exchanges, education and events.
We are a member of both the IRF (International Ranger Federation) and CORA (Council of Oceania Rangers).
Our team of volunteers (L to R):
Robbie Peake, Gavin Bensemann (Chairperson), Juliet Bruce , Kit Howden, Cinzia Vestena (Secretary), Rodney Chambers (Deputy Chair/Treasurer).
Photo taken at our Annual General Meeting, Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, March 2025.
Chair - Gavin Bensemann
Growing up in the mighty Bay of Plenty, where it is a veritable playground when it comes to getting outdoors, I developed a great passion for getting amongst the natural areas of New Zealand.
Combining this passion for the outdoors with a desire to empower youth, I have been involved in providing outdoor education for the majority of my working life. This included owning my own company leading experiential education programmes for schools and youth at risk groups.
Eventually taking on a role with Auckland Council as a Ranger focused on Education, I have now moved into a Senior Ranger position within Auckland Regional Parks. This role includes leading the Health and Safety, Partnerships and Training portfolios for the western team.
Secretary - Cinzia Vestena
Kia ora, my name is Cinzia. Originally from Italy, I have been in Aotearoa for over 20 years and now call Matauri Bay, Northland home. I work as DOC biodiversity ranger at the Bay of Islands District office.I have been involved with ROANZ since the beginning, and in March 2025 I stepped into the role of Secretary. I also represent ROANZ on at a regional level, helping to strengthen our connections across the Pacific Region.I’m all about connection, collaboration, and making sure our voices are heard—especially when it comes to the mahi we do every day. Keen to chat, share ideas, or just say hi!
Deputy Chair/Treasurer - Rodney Chambers
Ranger, Team Leader, Christchurch City Council, Port Hills and Banks Peninsula Regional ParksI am a passionate park ranger professional with over forty years of varied ranger and parks operations experience across New Zealand. My work settings have included local, regional and national scale parks, such as community and heritage parks, coastal farm parks, and Conservation and National Parks around New Zealand.Along the way I have also earned a Bachelor of Parks and Recreation Management from Lincoln University, in 1992. I have maintained my competency with a number of National Certificate qualifications in areas such as Fire and Rescue Services.Initially starting out with the NZ Meteorological Service, working on such places as Campbell Island, I finally moved into my true vocation with the Auckland Regional Councils’, Regional Parks network. After university and through further experience with NGO land managers and the Department of Conservation I finally ended up spending the past thirty years as a park ranger within the Christchurch City Council’s regional parks team. I have filled a variety of practical, management and technical positions as a senior Park Ranger, which not only involved parks asset management but included environmental education, rural fire management, customer service and community/volunteer engagement responsibilities. I continued to serve through the especially challenging 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes and the prolonged recovery period.I have significant experience supporting ranger career development and have working effectively and cooperatively with rangers and natural area managers across the country. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help lead the development of the NZ Rangers' Association and have been truly enriched by my experiences with international rangers and cross-cultural associations.
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