Our People
A Shared Vision
The people of Blakely Pacific, Ltd., bring with them diverse experiences and skills that give our company its strength. Though diverse, we share the belief that our actions and decisions should be in the long-term best interest our lands, our communities, and our business.
Managing our forestlands for long-term value is often a delicate balancing act. It requires patience, focus, innovative thinking and, most importantly, compassion for others. It also requires a long-term perspective and, oftentimes, a good sense of humour. Our team demonstrates this balanced approach to forest stewardship every day.
Tania Barrett
Financial Controller, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
As Financial Controller, Tania Barrett is responsible for financial and management accounting for Blakely Pacific Limited and its subsidiary businesses. Her specific areas of focus include financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, as well as implementing taxation, insurance and credit controls. As part of the senior management team, Tania plays a key role in addressing and advising on financial topics that affect Blakely Pacific.
As Financial Controller, Tania Barrett is responsible for financial and management accounting for Blakely Pacific Limited and its subsidiary businesses. Her specific areas of focus include financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, as well as implementing taxation, insurance and credit controls. As part of the senior management team, Tania plays a key role in addressing and advising on financial topics that affect Blakely Pacific.
Tania joined Blakely Pacific in 2004 and has over 20 years of diverse experience in financial and management accounting. Prior to joining the Blakely team, Tania worked in the United Kingdom for Coca-Cola, The British Broadcasting Corporation, and SMG - a multimedia company out of Glasgow, Scotland.
Tania received a Bachelor degree in Accounting from the University of Otago and earned her Chartered Accountant accreditation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand.
Tania resides in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she enjoys relaxing with her family and working in the garden.
Geoff Bird
Manager/Skipper of the Skookum, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
Geoff Bird joined the Tauranga Barge Company in 2005 as Manager/Skipper of the Skookum, a vehicular ferry servicing Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty. Geoff takes pride in overseeing the all aspects of the vessel, Skookum, including ensuring safe and reliable service, vessel maintenance and engineering, business management, and leading the crew.
Geoff Bird joined the Tauranga Barge Company in 2005 as Manager/Skipper of the Skookum, a vehicular ferry servicing Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty. Geoff takes pride in overseeing the all aspects of the vessel, Skookum, including ensuring safe and reliable service, vessel maintenance and engineering, business management, and leading the crew.
Geoff came to the Tauranga Barge Company with over 20 years of experience as a professional Skipper. Prior to joining the Tauranga Barge Company, Geoff oversaw the operations of eight vessels and ferries as the Senior Master for a tourism and marine transport company in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.
Geoff resides in Welcome Bay where he enjoys spending time with his family. An avid fan of Food TV, Geoff likes to spend time in the kitchen, cooking Asian, Indian and Italian dishes for hungry family and friends.
Andrew Cocking
Manager of South Island Team, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
Andrew Cocking leads Blakely Pacific’s south island team, headquartered in Timaru. As the South Island Regional Manager, Andrew oversees forestry operations and log marketing for Blakely Pacific’s south island forests. Since joining the company in 1995 as one of the first Blakely Pacific employee, Andrew has been instrumental in several key initiatives such as developing and implementing the plantation establishment programme, building sustainable business models for many of the south island forests and acquiring Forest Stewardship Council certification for Blakely Pacific’s ownership.
Andrew Cocking leads Blakely Pacific’s south island team, headquartered in Timaru. As the South Island Regional Manager, Andrew oversees forestry operations and log marketing for Blakely Pacific’s south island forests. Since joining the company in 1995 as one of the first Blakely Pacific employee, Andrew has been instrumental in several key initiatives such as developing and implementing the plantation establishment programme, building sustainable business models for many of the south island forests and acquiring Forest Stewardship Council certification for Blakely Pacific’s ownership.
Andrew studied forestry at the Waiariki – School of Forestry in Rotorua. He currently serves on the South Canterbury Combined Rural Fire Committee and is an active member of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.
Andrew currently resides in Timaru with his family and a ferocious ankle-biting dog named Miley.
Aaron Gunn
Technical and Resource Manager, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
Aaron Gunn joined Blakely Pacific in 2007 as Technical and Resource Manager. In this role, Aaron manages the company’s resource information and systems for strategic and tactical planning and operations. This includes forest spatial and inventory data, estate modeling, carbon management, and forestry software applications. Aaron also oversees the company’s compliance to voluntary sustainability certification standards. Prior to joining Blakely Pacific, Aaron worked for Wenita Forest Products as the Forest Estate Coordinator.
Aaron Gunn joined Blakely Pacific in 2007 as Technical and Resource Manager. In this role, Aaron manages the company’s resource information and systems for strategic and tactical planning and operations. This includes forest spatial and inventory data, estate modeling, carbon management, and forestry software applications. Aaron also oversees the company’s compliance to voluntary sustainability certification standards. Prior to joining Blakely Pacific, Aaron worked for Wenita Forest Products as the Forest Estate Coordinator.
Aaron attended the University of Canterbury where he studied forestry and earned a Bachelor of Forestry Science degree, with honours, in 2001. Aaron is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, New Zealand Forest Owners Association Environment Committee, and New Zealand Forest Stewardship Council Cluster Group.
Self-described as having an entrepreneurial streak, Aaron has a knack for seeing and seizing opportunities around him. At the age of ten, Aaron started a business making and selling breadboards and as a teenager opened up a taco stand to support his skiing habit. By the time he graduated from the University he had already purchased and established his own forestry block.
Aaron still enjoys skiing and occasionally tacos, as well as spending time with his Whanau in Christchurch where he resides.
Steve Riddall
North Island Regional Manager, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
Steve Riddall is North Island Regional Manager for Blakely Pacific Limited. Based in Tauranga, Steve oversees forest management activities and log marketing for Blakely Pacific’s north island forests.
Steve Riddall is North Island Regional Manager for Blakely Pacific Limited. Based in Tauranga, Steve oversees forest management activities and log marketing for Blakely Pacific’s north island forests.
In 2005, Steve came to Blakely Pacific with a wealth of diverse experience in the forest products industry. Steve helped to pioneer the use of diggers to place logs under deck in ocean vessels, a method that is now common practice. Steve also served Rayonier NZ in Russia overseeing forest operations for several months. Prior to joining Blakely Pacific, Steve was the National Port Operations Manager for Carter Holt Harvey Forests.
Steve currently resides in Mount Maunganui with his wife, Loren, and their children.
Phil Taylor
Managing Director, Blakely Pacific, Ltd.
As Managing Director of Blakely Pacific Limited, Phil Taylor oversees all aspects of the New Zealand-based forestry businesses in both the north and south islands. Prior to joining the company in 2006, Phil was Chief Executive Officer of City Forests Limited, a forestry company based in Dunedin.
As Managing Director of Blakely Pacific Limited, Phil Taylor oversees all aspects of the New Zealand-based forestry businesses in both the north and south islands. Prior to joining the company in 2006, Phil was Chief Executive Officer of City Forests Limited, a forestry company based in Dunedin.
Phil is an avid proponent of sustainable forest management and the importance of the concept of “stewardship” in all aspects of resource based asset management. With over 25 years of experience within the forest industry, Phil has worked to progress forestry not only as a business but also as a scientific endeavor. Phil has served on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association and as a past Chairman of the New Zealand Radiata Pine Breeding Company. In 2009, Phil was honoured with a fellowship from the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.
As well as being Managing Director of Blakely Pacific Limited, Phil is currently the Chairman of Future Forest Research Limited and a Trustee and Director of the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.
Phil attended the University of Canterbury where he studied forest management and graduated with a Bachelor of Forest Science degree with first class honours in 1984. Phil also has a New Zealand Certificate of Forestry, graduating from the Forestry Training Center in Rotorua in 1983.
Phil currently resides in Christchurch where he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jo, and their three children.
