About Us
Land and Water Science is an innovative, research-based, environmental consultancy located in Invercargill, New Zealand. Collectively we hold extensive experience in environmental science and resource management gained through research and consulting for and within regional councils, crown research institutes, and universities.
Our primary aim is to provide high quality, cost-effective, user-focused scientific services in a range of environmental and earth science fields.
Meet the Team
Land & Water Science comprises of a team of talented people, and calls upon specialist associates when needed.
Director & Principal Scientist
Dr. Clint Rissmann
Doctorate in Fluid Chemistry and Hydrogeology from the University of Canterbury
Masters of Science in Hydrogeology and Aqueous Geochemistry from the University of Texas
Adjunct Senior Fellow, Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University
Prior to founding Land and Water Science, Clint has worked in the research and Regional Council science sector. Clint has over 15 years’ experience in the geothermal, greenhouse gas and water quality industries. His work includes delivering national and international assessments for geothermal exploration and resource assessment, landfill gas dynamics and environmental forensics including site and regional scale water quality assessments. He is also the leading proponent of the Physiographic Approach to understanding spatial variation in water quality outcomes, which is based upon an integrated understanding of the relationships between soil, geology, hydrology and biogeochemistry. Clint is a Senior Adjunct Fellow at the Waterways Center for Freshwater Management and a Project Scientist with the National Science Challenge. He is actively involved in supervising postgraduate students and is passionate about data-led scientific inquiry.
Operations, Strategy & Wellbeing Lead
Stephanie MacDonald
Business Management, Human Resource Management, Coaching, Tikanga Maori, Matauranga Maori, Maori Business
Prior to joining L&WS in 2024, Steph has spent the last 13 years in various technical, environmental, project-based, civil roles. The last eight years of her career working for various local government agencies in project management positions, specifically in the environmental space and more recently, in Integrated Catchment Management Coordination and Operations. Her most recent position was coordinating the Freshwater Program in Southland, and prior to that, managing the Whakamana te Waituna Lagoon 6 year programme. Steph is also a Wellness Coach and brings wellbeing into Health and Safety, and within the culture. She has a creative brain and brings people skills, building relationships and a love of community to the team. Her career prior included civil construction, contract administration, tendering, human resources and technical projects. She supports projects, accounts, operations, strategy and wellbeing here at LWS. She is deeply passionate about revitalizing sense of place and belonging to land, restoring mauri in natural spaces, and fusing beliefs of hauora into way-forward thinking for future generations. Outside of work, she paints murals, loves coffee, and cold dips in the Ocean; spending time at the beautiful spaces Southland has to offer. Phone: 022 161 8033
Agri-Science Communicator
Poppy Hardie
Poppy is an Agri-Science Communicator with 10+ years’ experience in the design and print industry as a graphic designer, team and business leader. Poppy holds a Diploma in Computer Graphic Design. She previously worked as a Catchment Coordinator for Thriving Southland supporting farmer-led catchment groups, and operates a sheep & beef farming business alongside her husband. Phone: 027 862 3704
Lead Geospatial Scientist
Dr. Saeed Rahimi
Saeed is a Geospatial Information Scientist with more than 7 years of experience working in civil engineering, surveying, and electric power distribution companies as GIS analyst and consultant. Saeed’s research interests span various aspects of spatiotemporal data analysis including causal modelling, agent-based modelling, pattern recognition and explanation. In particular, Saeed is interested in exploring/adopting/advancing machine-learning techniques and artificial intelligence approaches to model geospatial dynamic phenomena (i.e., environmental processes, land use changes, animal and human movements, evolution of cities). He also performs basic research in the field of evolutionary computation (especially genetic programming) and spatial decision support systems.
Dr. Phil Clunies-Ross
Phil is an environmental scientist, specializing in water resources management and environmental reporting. He utilises the power of data and effective science communication to inform and inspire positive environmental stewardship. Phil is proficient in the development of digital environmental reporting products, and believes these tools can be effectively deployed to engage stakeholders and inform decision-making. Before forming his own company eiQ Ltd, Phil worked in various scientific and digital-development roles. Phil holds undergraduate level degrees in biomedical science and environmental science, as well as a PhD in water resources management.
Associates
Professor Matthew Leybourne
Matthew Leybourne is a Professor in Analytical and Isotopic Geochemistry at Queen’s University, Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering (Canada). His research is focused on developing new analytical methods related to solution and laser ablation ICP-MS and low-level trace element determinations, the geochemistry of fluids associated with ore deposits (groundwater, marine water and hydrothermal systems), geochemical exploration, the petrogenesis of igneous rocks, and the timing of the onset of Plate Tectonics. Matt is also the Co-Director of the Queen’s Facility for Isotope Research (QFIR). Previously, Matt held roles at Laurentian University, GNS Science in New Zealand, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
James Harvey
James Harvey is a partner McCulloch and Partners and has had vast experience in both the commercial sector and public practice. James spent five years in Australia with an international mining company before returning home to become the Commercial Manager at Fonterra, Edendale. James works closely with rural clients providing strategies to mitigate risk and deliver economic benefits, growing businesses is a challenge that he enjoys. James has partnered up with Land and Water Science to help put in perspective the gains that Farmers and other industry groups can achieve by providing environmental strategies lead by science.
Dr. Mark Harvey
Mark has over 13 years’ experience in international consulting, specialising in remote sensing methods including thermal infrared, photogrammetry, and satellite InSAR. Mark holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Auckland. His academic research focused on UAS surveying, CO2 flux surveys, and surface heat flow evaluation of high-temperature geothermal areas. Prior to working as an independent consultant, Mark worked at Jacob’s, gaining experience in GIS, geostatistics, geophysics (magnetic and gravity surveys), groundwater and gas sampling, geochemistry, and geology.
Dr. Pierre Chanut
Pierre is an Environmental Scientist with expertise in hydrological, water quality and hydro-ecological modelling. Pierre has a degree in Environmental Engineering, a Masters in Hydrology, Hydrochemistry, Soils and Environment and completed his PhD in Ecohydrology in 2019. He has worked internationally on projects focused on the impact of land use on river ecosystems, managed regional groundwater monitoring programmes and provided technical advice for policy makers. Pierre has published several papers documenting his ecohydrological research.
Troy Baisden
Troy specialises in understanding the flow of nutrients, water and carbon through terrestrial ecosystems and resulting impacts in freshwater. Troy studies climate change issues and land-to-water nutrient management at catchment scales, as they link into wider policy, health and economic systems. He connects science to policy and management through roles as an Honorary Professor in Auckland’s School of Environment, as Motu affiliate, as a Principal Investigator in Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence on networks and complexity, and consultancy.
Gavin & Karen Tippett
Mt Iron Geodrill is based in Wanaka, Central Otago, New Zealand. It is owned and operated by Gavin and Karen Tippett. Gavin was born and raised on a farm in Southland, New Zealand, and studied at the University of Canterbury where he earned his Bachelor of Science (Geology), Post Graduate Diploma of Engineering Geology and Master of Science (Engineering Geology) qualifications. Gavin has over 15 years of experience in the geotechnical field and has worked for geotechnical consultancies in New Zealand and Australia. This has bought him a diverse range of experience over a wide range of projects from single house lots to large scale mining operations and civil projects.
Collaborators
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