Our People

MICHAEL WALKER (Chairperson)

Michael is a partner in local law firm Todd & Walker and is extremely passionate about the amazing work that the Trust has done and continues to do. He uses the trails daily, from walking the dog to mountain biking with friends. As a trustee he is particularly passionate about ensuring that the trails retain a world class status for generations to come.

Andrew Brinsley (Deputy Chairperson)

I'm really excited to join the trust and continue to build on the great achievements to date. This is especially so as the district responds to the changing world post Covid 19. The trail network will increasingly deliver physical, mental and practical connectivity benefits to our community and visitors. I look forward to assisting bringing some fantastic projects to fruition.

WENDY PANNETT (TRUSTEE)

A keen mountain biker and trail rider, Wendy is delighted to be back, with her family, living in the region she grew up in. Always up for an adventure (especially if there’s scoping of new trails involved). Wendy brings years of experience in communications and public relations to the Trust. She’s also passionate about growing the trail network for the benefit of locals and visitors.

John Edmonds (Trustee)

John is a local planning consultant, married to Turi with three daughters, all are regular trail users. John is passionate about development of the trail network and the important role it plays in the community. He is particularly interested in new trails and envisages a fantastic range of off-road and commuter trails for walking, running and cycling.

Mark Townsley (Trustee)

British born Mark married a good southern Kiwi girl and they’ve spent 11 years in Queenstown. His passion is building and riding bike trails, through his hobby and his profession as an engineer, Mark has spent years doing both. Mark is proud to be a custodian of the existing trails and getting involved in trail development so that the Trust can offer such a special jewel in Queenstown’s crown.

GAVIN BARTLETT (QLDC REPRESENTATIVE)

Gavin Bartlett is the Queenstown Lakes District Council Representative to Queenstown Trails.  Gavin is a passionate advocate for community wellbeing, recreation and active travel.  A keen cyclist himself, Gavin can often be spotted out on the trails and is looking forward to to maximizing the use of the trails and developing connections throughout the community. 

STEVE HALL (TRUSTEE)

Steve first arrived in Queenstown in the 1980s, and loves living in the Whakatipu. A key part of this is the trails, and Steve and his wife Sally are very regular trail users - on both bike and foot. Steve is proud to be on the Trails Trust, and passionate about providing opportunities for recreation and active transport and continuing to develop a world-class trail network in the wonderful Whakat...

SARENA GLASS (TRUSTEE)

Sarena, a sales agent for NZ Sotherby's, lives in Arrowtown and is married to Simon and has two daughters. Sarena appreciates the work the Trust has done to date and wants to see the connectivity of our trails continue to improve and the implementation of more kids on bikes for ways of transport and particularly to and from school.

ROSIE HILL (TRUSTEE)

Rosie is a lawyer based in the Wakatipu Basin, regularly advising clients on environmental, conservation, and resource management related matters. As a mother of young children and a sporting enthusiast, Rosie is particularly interested in enhancing the range of trail user experiences and connecting communities along the network.

Warwick Goldsmith (Trustee)

Warwick has specialised in Resource Management law and related property development for more than 30 years. One of the challenges Warwick enjoys most in these projects is developing public benefits such as trail linkages running through those developments and connecting up to wider trail networks.

Tony McQuilkin (Patron & Trustee)

A long-term resident of the Wakatipu and Queenstown Trail Trustee since 2011. Tony is committed and enthusiastic about trails in the Wakatipu for the benefit and wellbeing of firstly residents and secondly visitors. Tony believes establishment and expansion of the network of trails both now and for the future is vital for our community.

Mark 'Willy' Williams (CEO)

CEO Willy has been in Queenstown nearly 20 years and always enjoyed riding and racing bikes, both on and off road. Willy is passionate about trails and is leading the charge on expanding and enhancing the Queenstown Trail network.

Kat Bulk (EXECUTIVE TEAM)

A passionate adventurer and multisport athlete, Kat is a long time lover of the Queenstown Trail - the legacy of the existing trails and exciting plans for future development are growing a network with enormous benefit to the region.

Emily O'Leary (EXECUTIVE TEAM)

Having worked for innovative and internationally renowned NZ brands such as Trilogy and Icebreaker, Emily brings her and sales skills to the Queenstown Trails.  An avid trail user both on foot and two wheels, Emily is super passionate about sharing all the benefits that time on the trails brings to not only trail users, but also the eco system of business along the trail.