Our story
How Mountains to Sea came to be what it is today
Since 2002, we've been connecting people with nature through inspiring education and hands-on action. A small and bold initiative that started in Northland has grown into four national programmes that are now delivered across Aotearoa. This is in part a response to New Zealanders' increasing demand to learn about and protect their waterways but it is also due to our unique approach - to empower people everywhere to care for their local freshwater and marine environments.
1990-1999: Laying foundations
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Vince Kerr teaches environmental studies at Northland Polytechnic and mentors student Stefan Seitzer on freshwater restoration. They begin researching international models (such as Sydney’s Streamwatch), laying the foundation for the Whitebait Connection programme. Later, Vince would also teach Samara Nicholas.
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Vince starts collaborating with marine biologist Dr. Roger Grace on marine protection initiatives.
2000-2002: Trust formation & programme development
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Samara Nicholas begins developing Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR), a school-based marine education programme, with support from Vince Kerr.
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Vince Kerr, Stefan Seitzer, Dr. Roger Grace and Samara Nicholas met at Vince's home near Kamo. The outcome was the creation of a conservation umbrella charity, Ngā Maunga ki te Moana, meaning 'From the Mountains to the Sea'. The name was suggested by Stefan Seitzer to reflect the Trust’s conservation vision.
2003-2006: Expansion & Community Engagement
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The Department of Conservation funds us to expand both programmes nationally.
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We host a Celebrate the Sea event—featuring the band Pitch Black performing in the world’s largest sea cave, attracting considerable community and media attention. This concert, organised by Samara Nicholas, becomes a signature event.
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The Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve is officially established at Motukaroro and Waikaraka. In the Department of Conservation video below, Samara talks about establishing the Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve.
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Stefan Seitzer leaves our Whitebait Connection programme to become a consultant and secondary school science teacher, Ira Seitzer steps into the role.
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Kim Jones joins us as an EMR Coordinator.
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We rebrand as Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, with a new logo and a long-term strategy focus.
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The Tindall Foundation begins their ongoing support, contributing to our national growth.
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We host our first National Wānanga in Leigh with EMR coordinators.
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Programme delivery expands beyond Northland into the Auckland region.
2007-2009: Recognition & continued growth
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We begin offering technical support and educational resources to schools, community groups, and government agencies. Key resources like "How to Create a Marine Reserve Proposal" are developed.
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We lead a world-first human chain around the Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve, involving over 1,000 participants. The video below tells the Marine Reserve Human Chain Story.
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Kim Jones becomes Whitebait Connection National Coordinator.
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Programme delivery expands from Northland into the Auckland region.
2010-2019: National & International Outreach
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In 2010, Training of EMR and Whitebait Connection Coordinators is combined into a single annual event, reinforcing a unified 'mountains to sea' vision.
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We begin our partnership with the Sir Peter Blake Trust with a youth expedition to the Kermadec Islands, connecting 30 students and crew with remote marine environments.
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Win for water 2015
Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) is recognised by the Tindall Foundation for making an outstanding contribution to New Zealand with a special award presented by Governor General Jerry Mateparae.
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In 2017, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s supports us to develop the National Īnanga Spawning Programme and it gets rolled out through provider organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand, via the Unlocking Curious Minds fund.
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In 2018, we're invited to return to the Kermadecs for a second expedition, its focus on experiential, place-based learning.
Win for water 2019
Whitebait Connection Northland Regional Council's 2019 Environmental Awards for Environmental Action in Water Quality Improvement, for its amazing efforts to restore the health of our waterways through freshwater education.
2020-2025: Wai Connection & Fish of the Year
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We run Fish of the Year - in the manner of Bird of the Year - for the first time in 2020 to raise awareness.
Win for water 2020
Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) wins Dive New Zealand magazine's Recognition Wyland Award.
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Department of Conservation supports the development of our Community-based Freshwater Monitoring programme. A network of trainers around the country are supported through 'Train the trainer' support and funding.
Win for water 2021
Experiencing Marine Reserves wins Northland Regional Council's Whakamānawa ā Taiao award for environmental action in the community and also is the overall winner of Te Tohu Matua Supreme Award.
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We are awarded a contract with Ministry for Environment, to improve freshwater, and creates the Wai Connection project and Northland Īnanga Spawning Habitat Restoration Project which includes the development of new digital monitoring tools.
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We rebrand, clarifying our offer of four programmes under a Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust banner.
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Department of Conservation awards us funding to plan a national roll out of the Īnanga Spawning Habitat Restoration digital monitoring tools.
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Fish of the Year goes viral across the world in 2025!
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