A day in the life of our Environmental Lead - Ishmael Esselbrugge

For Ishmael Esselbrugge, Environmental Lead at Anglican Action, restoration is more than a job, it's a sacred expression of faith. Guided by the belief that all of creation is sacred and loved by God, his days begin with a quiet walk through Te Ara Hou’s gully — once neglected, now alive with birdsong and new native plantings.

This whenua restoration is part of Wairākau, an initiative of Mahi Mihinare. Named for the Māori word for tree sap and compost, Wairākau symbolises the cycles of renewal in both nature and people. It’s not just about restoring ecosystems — it’s about healing the communities who tend them.

Many who work alongside Ishmael are tangata whaiora, on journeys of reconnection and recovery. Through planting, learning, and teamwork, they rediscover purpose and wellbeing. A simple act, like nurturing a seedling, becomes an act of transformation.

Wairākau also supports Hamilton City Council’s Nature in the City aims to increase native vegetation from less than 2% to 10% by 2050, bringing back birds, biodiversity, and greater lived relationships with nature in Kirikiriroa.

Mid-morning, Ishmael leads hands-on lessons in the gully — soil preparation, pest control, and propagation. Every small success, like a thriving seedling, builds confidence. His approach blends practical conservation with theology, rooting each action in care for creation.

Throughout the day, Ishmael weaves together relationships with council staff, the Te Ara Hou Village Trust, and other stakeholders. His work is deeply collaborative — grounded in kaupapa and guided by a shared vision of justice through restoration.

Back at his potting shed-turned-office, he shifts to planning: plant orders, infrastructure needs, funding, and strategy. It’s this balance of vision and detail that keeps Wairākau thriving.

For Ishmael, every spade in the soil is a step toward restoration — of land, of people, and of hope.