Our Organisation

Bob has been a Trust Board Member 2004. He is currently a Christchurch City Council Appointee.

In February 2017 Bob was elected Chairman of the Riccarton House and Bush Trust upon the retirement of the long-serving Charles Deans.

For many years Bob has had a keen interest in issues affecting the residents of the Riccarton Wigram area. He is currently a Trustee for a range of other local organisations including the Air Force Museum and the Christchurch (Riccarton) Racecourse. Bob also chairs several community-based organisations including the Enrich Community Chaplaincy Trust, working with the intellectually disabled in our community, and the Hornby Community Care Trust which offers rooms and support for a range of other local organisations.

Bob is a Director of R A Shearing Contractors Ltd, a local earthmoving and paving company.

Tim joined the Riccarton House Trust Board in May 2013 and was re-elected in 2018, and again in 2023 for a further 5-year term. He is enjoying helping represent the family on the Board. He has found it fascinating to be involved in a small way with the rebuild, and his affection for the property has gained immensely from his involvement. He takes a particular interest in developing the marketing of Riccarton House through new media channels.

Tim, after qualifying with a Diploma of Ag. and a Dip. VFM at Lincoln, farmed at “Auchenflower” for 25 years, and now that the property is leased out is able to devote time to such rewarding activities as Riccarton, as well as being a Mediator with Christchurch Mediation Services, and doing private mediations.

He has been associated with local school and veterinary administration, and the “Brainwave Trust”, a trust focussed on improving the access to great brain health in those aged 0-4. He has also been a joint patron with the Limited Service Volunteer course at Burnham, helping 17-23 year olds get back on track.

Happily married to Gillie and father of three sons, with whom he loves participating in sports such as tennis, skiing and sailing.

Shirish Paranjape represents the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board on the Trust. He was first appointed in 2016 and was re-appointed for a further 3 year term in 2019 and again in 2022.

Shirish is an electrical engineer by profession.

Outside of work and Community Board activities, Shirish is heavily involved in the local community – as a Justice of the Peace, a founder member of Rotary Christchurch New Horizons club, an active member of Christchurch Multicultural Council and Indian Social & Cultural Club, and one of the Avonhead Leads of the web-based forum “Neighbourly”.

Shirish likes travel, sports, classical music and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He likes to write about his travel experiences, and is also a regular contributor to TripAdvisor.

Nigel Harris joined the Board as a Riccarton Bush Trust appointee in March 2022 and was reappointed in 2023.

Nigel is passionate about cultural integrity, the natural environment and Māori resource management (Kaitiakitanga). He has engaged considerably with the public and private sectors, and indigenous communities where environmental, social, cultural and economic issues need to be addressed in a sustainable manner.

Nigel is the Māori Heritage Advisor for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and was previously with DOC and the University of Canterbury. Nigel brings with him a myriad of skills that will complement and add to those of other Trust Members.

Justin works as an Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry. He’s passionate about urban forestry, understanding the challenges faced by trees in cities as well as the benefits they provide. He’s a co-leader of the New Zealand Urban Forest Initiative and advises councils around New Zealand on matters related to urban trees and greenspaces.

He lives in Sumner with his family and enjoys riding his bike between home and work (past Riccarton House and Bush | Pūtaringamotu) multiple times a week.