Meet the Board
Richmond Community Garden is overseen by a board of dynamic and passionate wahine. Meet who we have guiding our mission:
Cathy Allden
– Chairperson & former Garden Coordinator
Cathy is a founding member of the trust. Cathy enjoys the continuous learning and home economy skills that a community garden provides, meeting people and advocating for the regeneration of the Avon Ōtākaro River Red Zone.
Hayley Guglietta (MBA)
– Treasurer
Hayley is a founding member of the Trust, completes alot of the compliance documentation and helps with the accounts and funding applications. When she is not doing administrative work you will find her in the garden, weeding, hauling mulch and compost, weaving and talking to the chickens. Her favourite thing about thing about the garden is seeing people simply hanging out enjoying the space whether having a good time at our events or reading a book in the sun.
Jen McBride (BDes)
– Trustee Secretary, Graphic Designer
Jen is a self-employed graphic designer, gallery director and artist who enjoys gardening and hanging out at the community gardens where she can. Jen is the community gardens artistic director, website developer, responsible for much of the branding and signage at RCG, as well as lending her skills in weaving (hazel weaving, string making, bamboo teepees etc).
Julie Crook
– Trustee, Head of ‘Little Shop’ Product Development
Julie is a founding member of the trust, originally from Atherton, UK, she came out here in 2011 for a holiday with their two boys to see if they would like to live here they loved it! The earthquake had not long since happened. Julie and her family visited at Easter for 3 weeks and enjoyed themselves very much. They came to live in 2013 and ended up living in Richmond and were looking for a group to join. Averbury house was asking for people to help set up the old garden again and it all started from there and today she makes chutneys, Jam, balms for the little shop and her famous sausage rolls for morning tea.
Join Our Board
Help us grow a greener, more connected community
About us
Richmond Community Garden Trust and Riverlution Eco Hub are grassroots, community-led initiatives located in the heart of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor. We’re dedicated to sustainability, resilience, social connection, and environmental education. Our kaupapa is grounded in care for people, place, and the planet. Here is a link to our 2025 Riverlution Impact Action Plan – please give it a read.
Why join our Board?
Joining our board is a rewarding opportunity to shape the direction of a growing project that’s making real, on-the-ground impact. Board members help guide our strategy, ensure strong governance, and support our vibrant, eco-focused community space.
As a Board Member, you will:
- Support strategic decisions & governance for Riverlution Eco Park/ Garden
- Contribute to building a strong, values-aligned social enterprise
- Help uphold our mission and support community-focused initiatives
- Collaborate with a passionate, diverse team
- Attend key events that celebrate and strengthen our community
What we’re looking for:
We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. You don’t need to have previous board experience, just a genuine commitment to our kaupapa.
We’re especially keen to hear from people with skills in:
- Governance, finance, or fundraising
- Community engagement or education
- Social enterprise or sustainability
- Tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding
- Communications or project development
Our impact includes:
- Supporting local food resilience & urban regeneration
- Running education workshops and zero waste programs
- Hosting inclusive events (Matariki, Spring Fair, Gala, Planting Days, etc.)
- Diverting waste through composting, recycling & Riverlution Precious Plastic
- Creating pathways for volunteering, internships, and learning
Interested?
We’d love to kōrero.
Please fill in this form with your expression of interest, email us or pop into Riverlution Eco Hub to meet the team. You’re also welcome to attend an upcoming meeting or event to get a feel for how we work.
Together, we’re growing something special.
Nau mai, haere mai. Join us.
