Dhaneshree (Dani) Ndebele

With over 25 years in the environmental sector, Dani is an ethnobotanist specializing in Indigenous Peoples’ and community-led conservation.

Her experience spans New Zealand government roles, including Treaty and Community Planner for the Department of Conservation, and multiple senior positions in the Ministry for the Environment. She is passionate about linking people with conservation and has a deep commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for Indigenous communities in response to national and global environmental mandates. Dani also has extensive background in transboundary conservation across Southern Africa, where she worked with the Peace Parks Foundation and Resource Africa.

Dani is dedicated to addressing climate challenges through climate systems analysis and adaptation, using innovative, inclusive approaches to community engagement. She lives in Auckland with her husband and three children.