Mike grew up in rural Northland and, although not from a farm, spent endless hours working and playing on friend’s farms.  After graduating from Waikato University with a master’s degree in Earth Sciences and Biology, Mike headed off overseas to travel, teach environmental science, and work on environmental projects in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Returning home to New Zealand, Mike spent two years at the Regional Council in Wellington before embarking on a 20-year career in business improvement, leadership development, and governance. But he never lost interest in natural systems and first studied permaculture and later, regenerative farming as the theme of his Kellogg Rural Leadership program.

Mike now combines his science background, business experience, and understanding of permaculture and regenerative systems to help grow and develop Ata Regenerative to enable the regenerative transition of New Zealand agriculture.

Mike believes the future is rural and maximising the production potential of farming in a values-based fashion while supporting and regenerating the life sustaining capacity of soils, water, and forests, is not only possible, but the best way forward for this beautiful little country a long way from the rest of the world.