Wendy Henderson

Wendy Henderson is a dedicated conservationist with a lifelong connection to Tākaka Hill, where she has lived and worked at Kairuru since 1977. As co-founder of the Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust, Wendy brings decades of knowledge in native plant propagation and habitat restoration.

Wendy’s passion for native plants lies at the heart of the Trust’s restoration work at Hawkes Lookout and beyond. She specialises in seed collection and the cultivation of Northwest Nelson natives, with a particular focus on rare and threatened species. Her deep expertise in identifying and propagating endangered plants has made her an invaluable contributor to the Trust’s conservation projects.

Wendy is also a proud steward of her family’s 1,400-hectare sheep and beef farm, which has been in the Henderson family since 1911. Over 300 hectares of original native bush on the property borders Abel Tasman National Park, where Wendy has set more than 60 traps to control rats, stoats, and other pests.

Among the many species Wendy and fellow Trust members have worked to protect are the Limestone kōwhai, Pōkākā, Red beech, and Broadleaf. Her dedication to tracking down vulnerable plants and collecting their seeds reflects her tireless commitment to restoring and protecting the unique biodiversity of Tākaka Hill.

With her wealth of knowledge, practical experience, and unwavering passion, Wendy Henderson is both a driving force and an inspirational figure within the Trust’s conservation journey.