Nicola Toki
Building hope to drive action ✦
One of Aotearoa's most recognisable voices for nature — making conservation vivid, fascinating and impossible to ignore. Because if it's boring, it's not working.
Nature storyteller,
voice for nature
Nicola Toki is a nature storyteller who focuses on building hope to drive action, amid the difficult environmental situation we now find ourselves in. A zoologist by training, she has held leadership roles across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Nicola is widely known for her ability to effortlessly weave complex scientific and environmental ideas with humour and warmth, engaging audiences far beyond the traditional conservation sector. She studied zoology and law at the University of Otago, alongside a postgraduate diploma in natural history film-making.
Passionate about connecting people with the natural world through storytelling, she co-presents RNZ's weekly Critter of the Week with Jesse Mulligan, and the television series Endangered Species Aotearoa. She is the author of several books, including Critters of Aotearoa.
Keynotes, panels and moderation
A sought-after keynote speaker and moderator, Nicola brings insight, humour and emotional depth to every setting, from boardrooms to festival stages. There's practical optimism and a can-do attitude in everything she does.
Nicola was the cornerstone to the whole week. A wonderful presentation with excellent graphics, followed by entertaining and informative detail. She read the room well and spoke to us like long-known friends, staying long after her session to chat and take photos with the crew.
Nicola was warm, engaging, tailored her content to the audience and brought the house down.
Nicola has a remarkable gift for storytelling. Her presentation engaged delegates on a winding journey that seamlessly wove the conference theme together with personal anecdotes, humour, and insightful reflections. Nicola's warm style, authenticity, and ability to connect left the audience with a memorable and meaningful reflection at the end of the day.
Where Nicola adds value
Nicola brings a chief executive's perspective to the board table, across communications, advocacy and environmental strategy. Her background spans the NGO, media and public sectors, working alongside scientists, policymakers, communities, businesses and government.
Environment & biodiversity
Conservation strategy, species advocacy and environmental policy.
Science & research
Translating complex science for public, policy and business audiences.
Public engagement & education
Community-first approaches to building lasting environmental awareness.
Media & communications
Broadcasting, editorial and communications strategy across media and NGO sectors.
Community wellbeing
Connecting conservation outcomes to community health and social equity.
Current: Board member, Hurunui College · Non-executive director, early-stage board (under NDA) · Member of the Institute of Directors
Past: Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust (2011 to 2015)
In the wild
Nicola is a regular contributor to conversations about conservation, biodiversity, leadership and communication in Aotearoa. You may have heard her on Critter of the Week, RNZ National's weekly deep-dive into the strangest native creatures Aotearoa has to offer.
Media kit
Bios, approved photos and speaking topics, ready for events and press. Available on request — for urgent enquiries, please use the contact form.
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For enquiries
For speaking, media, governance, or general enquiries, please use the form or contact Nicola directly.