Rob Phillips – backing the work that matters

A pivot to biosecurity led Rob to develop in-depth expertise and to go on to influence many biosecurity programmes regionally and nationally.

He led biosecurity in the regional council sector and the development of a national approach for dealing with wilding trees in 2010.

Rob also co-chaired the New Zealand Biological Heritage Science Challenge (which finished in 2024) for several years; and he has been Environment Southland’s representative for Predator Free Rakiura, having been involved in developing a pest animal eradication plan, which has had some great wins.

In 2016 the Velvetleaf pest incursion threatened farmland. The Ministry for Primary Industries led the national

response, but when they left Murihiku Southland, the Council under Rob’s leadership, coordinated an ongoing response, with no re-emergence of Velvetleaf to date.

He cites the Council’s Possum Control Area programme as an understated success, with 65 PCAs across 428,000 hectares, and the first-of-its-kind Fiordland Marine Pathway Plan.

Rob is a strong advocate for all the Council’s functions.

“It’s about managing our land and water, our air and coast. Yes, we need to protect the environment, but it’s more nuanced than that. It’s about staying focused on long-term, sustainable natural resource use. This is the work that underpins Southland’s prosperity and ability to thrive.”

Rob retired (again) in August.