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About Us

Governance

SAFE’s Board of Directors is made up of compassionate people who volunteer their time and expertise to help animals and ensure good governance.

Our board members come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including animal advocacy, digital media, accountancy, psychology and business.

Meet the Board

Gareth Hughes — Chair

Gareth has spent his entire adult life campaigning for progressive causes and is a passionate advocate for animals. He spent eight years working at Greenpeace NZ and Australia including coordinating New Zealand's largest climate campaign, Sign On. He served in Parliament for a decade starting as the youngest MP of the term and was the Green Party Musterer (Whip), spokesperson for animals and was the Chairperson of the Social Services Community Select Committee.

Logan Smedley — Treasurer

Logan has experience within the not-for-profit industry in New Zealand. With a focus on youth organisations he has worked with Girl Guiding New Zealand and as the Treasurer on the board of Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou Trust. Beyond this, through affiliation with Turtle Rescue, he became more aware of animal injustice and hopes to help make a change within New Zealand through SAFE.

Katharine Birks — Secretary

Active in the animal advocacy movement since the 1980s, Katharine has been involved with high profile organisations and campaigns in North America and Australia. With a background in public relations and journalism she began her fundraising career 25 years ago, focusing on impact philanthropy within the tertiary sector. Returning to New Zealand in 2006, her consultancy has provided fundraising, policy and advocacy support to many causes. Her passions and vision lie with driving change for animals and removing inequalities for all sentient beings. To this end, she has served as a trustee on several boards.

Kat MacMillan

Kat is currently a Regional Councillor for BOP Regional Council where she is driving positive outcomes for the environment, the ocean, climate action and freshwater. Having worked as a Campaigner for Animal Rights and Animal Rescue Charities back in the United Kingdom, Kat brings both experience and passion to the SAFE Board, along with a strong drive to make a positive difference for all animals across the motu.

Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere

Marcelo is a senior lecturer at the University of Otago’s Faculty of Law, where he teaches and researches extensively in the field of animal law. He brings to the SAFE Board an in-depth knowledge of New Zealand’s animal welfare regulatory environment, and is passionate on reforming this area to improve the lives of animals throughout the motu.

Troy Coyle

Troy is an experienced Chair, Co-Chair and director across a range of sectors and covering not-for-profit, Government and business governance. She is a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She also has grass roots campaign experience with Sea Shepherd, having been three times on campaign in Japan against the Taiji dolphin slaughter.

SAFE Rules (Constitution)

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Help us continue helping animals in need

As a charity, SAFE is reliant on the support of caring people like you to carry out our valuable work. Every gift goes towards providing education, undertaking research and campaigning for the benefit of all animals. SAFE is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC 40428). Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible.