Press release: 20 July 2026
Recent appointments to the Fiordland Marine Guardians will bring decades of local knowledge and expertise to managing the Fiordland Marine Area, FMG Chair Dr Rebecca McLeod says.
“The advisory group Guardians welcomes the appointment of new member Jason Haggerty, of Invercargill, and the reappointment of long-serving Guardian Stewart Bull.
“We are delighted at Jason’s appointment. He knows the place inside out and is passionate about looking after it for future generations to experience. has in-depth local knowledge of Fiordland and strong connections to the Fiordland Marine Area.
“He brings practical knowledge of coastal Fiordland and has years of experience with fisheries management and the commercial fishing sector and is a keen recreational fisher too.
“This expertise, and connections with the local community, will be a real asset to our team boost the Guardians’ work with a range of partner organisations,” Dr McLeod says.
“I am also pleased thrilled to announce the reappointment of Stewart Bull for a further one-year term, until June 2027. Stewart has been instrumental to the group since its inception in the mid-1990s and has served as a Guardian since the group was officially established in 2005.
“He was nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and has extensive knowledge of customary fishing management and resource use in Fiordland.
“I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Mark Peychers, who has served as a Guardian for 20 years before his recent retirement resignation.
“Like Stewart, Mark has been there since the beginning. His dedication and care in supporting the Guardians’ kaupapa work of the Guardians have has made a lasting contribution to the Fiordland Marine Area.”
About the Guardians
The Fiordland Marine Guardians were established under the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005 to advise central and local government on the integrated management of the Fiordland Marine Area.
The Guardians partner with the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for Primary Industries (Biosecurity and Fisheries), and Environment Southland to ensure the Fiordland Marine Area is sustainably managed.
The Guardians consist of between five and eight members and meet quarterly in Southland. There are eight members at present.
