GSD Workforce joins Southern Lakes Sanctuary: a homegrown partnership strengthening conservation

What began as a bold response to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into one of the Southern Lakes’ most inspiring conservation success stories. 

GSD Workforce – the conservation project delivery agency founded by AJ Hackett Bungy NZ – has officially begun its next chapter under the umbrella of Southern Lakes Sanctuary. The transition marks the natural evolution of a four-year partnership that has helped protect landscapes, species and communities across the region. 

A pandemic idea that became a conservation force 

GSD (Good Safe Deeds) was born during the height of COVID-19, when AJ Hackett Bungy NZ (AJHBNZ) co-founder Henry van Asch saw an opportunity to retain skilled local workers displaced from tourism and redirect their expertise toward community and environmental projects. Supported through the Jobs for Nature programme, GSD quickly became a lifeline – providing jobs while accelerating vital conservation delivery. 

Since then, GSD’s team has been at the heart of Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s operations, working across the Whakatipu, Wānaka and Hāwea catchments on predator control, threatened species recovery, biodiversity monitoring and community engagement. This work has helped protect native species and rebuild ecological resilience at a landscape scale. 

Lake Whakatipu © Ben Carson

How Bungy helped us go bigger, faster 

By tapping into AJHBNZ’s existing business infrastructure – workshops, offices, IT systems, and vehicles – GSD was able to upscale Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s field delivery far faster than would have been possible otherwise. The relationship has been strengthened by a blend of government and private support, including $300,000 in cash donations from AJHBNZ. 

Southern Lakes Sanctuary CEO Paul Kavanagh says the impact has been transformative. 

“AJ Hackett Bungy’s backing was truly catalytic. Their investment, business acumen and belief in what we were trying to achieve gave us the foundation to grow into a sustainable organisation capable of delivering large-scale conservation impact.” 

With GSD now formally part of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust, the partnership continues. AJHBNZ will remain an active supporter through ongoing donations, equipment, office resources and community initiatives. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for their continued partnership and support as we bring GSD into the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust. Together, we’re building on an extraordinary legacy of innovation and community collaboration,” says Kavanagh. 

Four years of impact across the Southern Lakes 

GSD’s 25-strong local workforce has delivered extraordinary results across the region. Working in partnership with Southern Lakes Sanctuary, the team has: 

• installed more than 6,700 new traps and bait stations since 2022, bringing the network to over 13,000 across the landscape 

• supported the return of takahē to the Rees Valley and mohua to the Matukituki 

• provided stable employment for skilled workers during a period of major economic disruption 
• carried out extensive conservation mahi in some of the region’s most loved places across the Southern Lakes 

AJ Hackett Bungy CEO, David Mitchell at takahē release in the Rees Valley. Credit: RealNZ

Building the future together 

AJHBNZ co-founder Henry van Asch says bringing GSD into Southern Lakes Sanctuary is a natural evolution of the journey so far. 

“GSD is a great example of how collaboration between businesses and communities can address a need and create lasting impact. What began as a response to a challenging time has evolved into a sustainable, community-driven success story.”  

With GSD now part of Southern Lakes Sanctuary, the momentum continues. More species supported. More landscapes protected. More communities connected to conservation. 

A success story built by business, community and a belief in doing good – together.