Affectionately known as “the Bugman”, Dr Ruud Kleinpaste (MNZM) is passionate about promoting environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, protection of endangered NZ birds, and most famously, the understanding and appreciation of insects, spiders and other terrestrial arthropods.

Since the ‘80s he has advocated the plight of creepy crawlies on radio as well as TV shows in NZ and worldwide through Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. In 2018 he was awarded an Honorary New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entomology, conservation and entertainment.

His enthusiasm for Environmental Education is boundless – so it was a natural fit for him to be the Mazda Ambassador and driving force for TREEmendous Education Programme. He would love nothing more than our younger generation to all be Science and Nature-literate and his strategic aim is to inspire teachers into Nature-Literacy.

Championing biodiversity, he shares his knowledge in a fun and easy manner so that everyone can learn in nature – using the environment as a context for education.

We are delighted to have Ruud on our team spreading his passion for the environment with teachers and students alike so that future generations and the wider community will all care and look after our environment.