The Team
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor has a wealth of experience, 30 years, in New Zealand freshwater ecology. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, and began studies on native fish distribution in South Westland in 1984. He was then employed by Fisheries Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and, after 1992, with NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) as a senior technical officer. Mark has written and co-written scientific papers on a range of fish research topics from planktonic fish distribution in Canterbury's high country lakes, to growth in eels and trout. He has prepared a large number of reports on native and introduced fish distributions in South Island Rivers, and whitebait spawning habitat enhancement. Mark has also developed a national database on whitebait spawning habitats to facilitate their long-term protection.
Mark continued with his interests when he formed Aquatic Ecology Limited (AEL) in 2001. His focus was to provide a specialist company which evaluates ecological issues associated with a range of man-induced activities such as stormwater discharges, irrigation water uptake, catchment development, or a range of other impacts.
Mark has a reputation for pragmatism, and is well-trusted by local authorities at presenting a balanced viewpoint of the environment. In his spare time, Mark served in a voluntary capacity on the Styx River Living Laboratory Trust for five years, and still has a keen interest in this increasingly urbanised catchment.
Riley Payne
Riley has a range of experience across many aspects of freshwater ecology. After graduating with a BSc in Biology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Canterbury, Riley completed a water quality internship at Environment Canterbury.
He began work with Aquatic Ecology in 2020, and has since gained experience in a broad range of scientific field skills. Some of these skills include fish and macroinvertebrate identification, flow gauging, wetland delineation, and fish spawning observations. Riley is a qualified electric fishing machine operator, and is comfortable in all environments. He also has experience in reporting on the results of ecological survey work.
Outside of work, Riley plays the trumpet for community theatre groups, and enjoys a range of outdoor activities, such as cycling, skiing, and rock climbing.
Jack Grehan
Originally from Ireland, Jack is a freshwater ecologist who moved to Christchurch in 2023 to experience New Zealand’s unique natural environment and outdoor lifestyle.
Jack completed his higher education in the Netherlands, where he obtained an MSc in Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality and a BSc in Environmental Sciences. His MSc research investigated competitive interactions between invasive freshwater crayfish species and how these are influenced by temperature.
Since joining Aquatic Ecology in 2025, Jack has contributed to a wide range of freshwater ecology projects and developed strong knowledge of New Zealand’s native species and aquatic habitats. He is certified in electric fishing and experienced in fish sampling and salvage, wetland delineation, īnanga spawning surveys, water quality monitoring, flow measurements, and environmental reporting.
Jack particularly enjoys work that contributes to the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems, with a strong interest in nature-based approaches to environmental management.
A keen surfer, Jack spends much of his free time in the ocean and also enjoys tramping and exploring New Zealand’s outdoors.