The RTEA committee is characterized as the Executive Committee, Specialty Representatives, and General Positions. Each section of the committee has general responsibilities as well as individual responsibilities based on the roles within each section.
Executive Committee
The purpose of an Executive Committee is to maintain the longevity of the Association. This is achieved by spreading responsibility across several people, and by obtaining representation across undergrad and postgraduate levels. This second objective also ensures a smooth transition between committees each year. This shall be undertaken by achieving the appointment of a replacement executive committee positions for the following year (either by advertising or appointment via election) and maintaining the presence of the student club within the students and staff at the University of Auckland.
Lalita Garg (she/her)
President
Lalita is studying a Bachelor of advanced science (honours) in environmental change, currently completing her honours year. Her interest lies in studying the effects and possible mitigation strategies that can be used when looking at the relationship between climate change and coastal areas. She also volunteers for the Motuihe island restoration trust and work in a number of assistance roles at the University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trekking, and exploring New Zealand’s beautiful backyard.
Ellie Buttle (she/her)
Treasurer
Eleanor (Ellie) has just finished her undergraduate BA majoring in geography and economics. In 2022 she’s doing honours focusing on human geography. The specifics of the rest of her degree are still being worked out but she’s excited to get stuck in to continue growing what she has learnt in undergrad. Outside of university, Ellie sings as an alto in the Auckland Youth Choir which she has been a part of since she was sixteen. She also enjoys creative projects that involve designing and sewing clothing for both herself and her friends.
Grace Catterall (she/her)
Secretary
Grace has a particular interest in anthropogenic changes to the natural environment (particularly those caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions) and the flow-on effects from this. She has a particular interest in the applications of GIS software to detect current change and predict changes that might be observed in the future. When not working on University-related tasks, Grace works in the healthcare sector and volunteers for the Kaipātiki Project in ecological restoration projects. In her spare time, Grace enjoys getting into the ocean, going on hikes, and is teaching herself to play the guitar.
Amber Peek
Equity Representative
Specialty Representatives
The chosen representatives speak on behalf of their chosen discipline within the School of Environment. There are between 1-3 people to represent each discipline (Geosciences – including geology, geochemistry, and geophysics – Geography – including human and physical – Geo-spatial, and Environment) and are responsible for organizing and running discipline specific events (such as discipline specific field trips and any talks tailored towards the major). Discipline representatives will also be involved with working together on larger, cross-discipline events.
Emily Yu (they/she)
Geoscience Representative
Em is finishing off their BSc in Earth Science(Geology) and Statistics w/ a module in GIS. However do not be fooled: they are probably going do a cheeky switch to their past major in Human Geography for post-grad. Big on social justice, sucker for writing poems scenery, and is most likely to be found floundering in public pools this raumati.
TBD for 2022
Environment Representative
This position is one of the specialty representatives that covers the environment discipline.
Jaxon Ingold (he/him)
GIS-science Representative
Jaxon is in the final stages of his BSc, majoring in Geographic Information Science and Earth Sciences. His current interests include remote sensing methods, geomorphology, and natural hazards – particularly around New Zealand. Outside of the university you will likely find Jaxon at one of Auckland’s many beaches, where he will be swimming, reading and admiring strange rocks.
Matthew Illing (he/him)
Geography Representative
Matt is entering his honours year of a Bachelor of Advanced Science specializing in Environmental Change. Matt is most interested in studying Earth’s past climates (paleoclimatology), bringing together my background in Geography and Earth Science. Outside of his university studies he enjoys ultra-running and road cycling (only a little masochistic) and a semi-professional event photographer.
Other Committee Positions
The following roles are positions within the RTEA Committee that are not attributed to a specific discipline.
Saima Sakik (she/her)
Social Media
Saima has recently finished her undergraduate studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Science double majoring in Earth Science and GIS in 2021. This year, she is doing her Masters in Engineering Geology, where she would like to integrate GIS into her engineering geology research and work. Outside of her University life, she works in Early Childhood and OSCAR programs and loves travelling to new places. One of Saima’s favourite places is the library, where she is always looking for something new to read. Some of her other hobbies include painting, cooking, and baking.
TBD (please contact the RTEA if you are interested in filling this role)
UoA Staff and Student Communications
Communicates academic and social events to staff and students primarily within the University of Auckland. As the role develops there may be a need to extend outreach into areas external to the UoA.
Wider Committee Members
This is a list of the wider committee members which participate in keeping the RTEA running and striving for excellence.
Ethan Garcia (he/him) – BE majoring in Civil and Environmental
Anna Hiew (she/her) – BSc in environmental science and geography
Ema Nersezova (she/her) – MSc in Earth Science specializing in geology/astrobiology
Gina Swanney (she/her) – Technician for the University of Auckland