Stephen Fuller celebrates 20 Years

An advocate for the environment, a pragmatic collaborator and a key member of the Wellington office.

Stephen joined Boffa Miskell after a 7-year stint as General Manager of the Karori Wildlife sanctuary (Zealandia). His experience equipped him with skills that he has been able to apply in a range of ways since joining Boffa Miskell.

Planner Robert Schofield recalls, “I first remember seeing Stephen when he gave evidence in the late 1990s to the hearing of the first designation for the Transmission Gully Motorway. He was the consultant ecologist for the (then) Transit New Zealand, and I the reporting planner for the four City Councils.

“I remember thinking ‘oh he’s good!’ Stephen was an excellent expert ecological witness who kept his explanations simple and clear for lay people like Commissioners. After that, I occasionally called him up to see if was interested in joining Boffa Miskell, until one day when he was thinking “what next?” and voila – Stephen joined us, and became a critical part of the Wellington team.”

While at Boffa Miskell, Stephen has specialised in developing ecological impact assessments for a range of small to large infrastructure projects. Much of this work has required the design and implementation of scientifically robust biological monitoring programmes both as part of the assessment of effects, and to monitor ecological systems during and post-construction to confirm the outcomes of his assessments, and the effectiveness of his recommended mitigation.

“In 2003, Stephen and I worked together on one of the early wind farms, Meridian’s Te Apiti Wind Farm in the Manawatu,” recalls Boyden Evans.

“We pioneered our respective assessment methods for this new (for New Zealand) activity drawing on wind farm assessment examples from the UK and elsewhere. Stephen has continued his involvement in wind farm projects throughout New Zealand and has made presentations at several New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) annual Conferences.”

Stephen’s thorough and well-crafted technical reports and his ability to explain ecological concepts succinctly and clearly have made him sought after as team member on complex projects and it has also contributed to his success as an expert witness.

“Stephen is a pragmatic applied ecologist, always looking for solutions to our clients’ development challenges, but not afraid to speak his mind and outline the risks and issues,” says Robert. “He can clearly articulate often-complex ecological problems and systems; and he’s a dab hand at using great metaphors and examples to illustrate his points.”

“He’s known as the spreadsheet king,” says Boyden. “Stephen’s projects and reports always include a smattering of spreadsheets!”

Stephen has coordinated wind farm investigations in Northland, Waikato, Whanganui, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Wellington, and has assisted with wind farm investigations in Canterbury and Southland.

Stephen’s 2022 NZWEA paper collated and reviewed bird data from several wind farm projects; and highlighted a significant shortcoming – the failure of the wind industry to collate and share bird data gathered across wind farm projects, which would assist in understanding effects on avifauna and post-construction bird mortality.

Boyden says the current focus on offshore wind projects, for which Stephen is taking a lead role for Boffa Miskell, has further highlighted this need.

Stephen is a keen advocate for the natural world, which aligns perfectly with his role as an ecologist, but he is also a devoted audiophile – something the Wellington team appreciate.

“You can always tell when Stephen is working in the office, as great guffaws emanate from his space (sounding a lot like Muttley), and his café style music cruises through our office airwaves,” says Robert.

Ecologist Karin Sievwright agrees. “Stephen is kind of like an eccentric uncle and mad scientist rolled into one. He’s got a contagious Fred Flintstone laugh and is always entertaining to listening to when he’s having a discussion with Vaughan. He’s a lovely person, a family man, and he always has time for a chat, and to answer a “quick” question and share his expertise.”

For further information please contact Stephen Fuller