Our People & Community
When you join the BioBonds family, you’re investing not just in land, but in connection, community and people. Here, you’ll meet the individuals behind our mission and see how your investment impacts both the whenua and the lives of those who steward it.
Every collaborator has played a vital role in bringing BioBonds to life.
We honour everyone in our growing family, from the native tree nursery teams to our on-the-ground Green Team (local iwi and planting crews), council partners, ecologists, philanthropists and aligned businesses. Together, we’re building a brighter, more regenerative future — one BioBond at a time.
Paul Van Dorp
Born in Gisborne in 1960 and raised on a farming block surrounded by hardworking relatives, Paul grew up hunting, fishing, and developing a deep connection with the whenua (land). After travelling overseas in his twenties, he returned home shocked by the decline in native wildlife and the spread of monoculture forestry, sparking a lifelong commitment to ecological restoration.
In 2021, Paul and his business partner purchased Tāmata Hills, a steep erosion-prone property, and successfully replanted it in 100 percent indigenous species with support from KMR, Kauri Park Nurseries and council grant programmes. The project demonstrated that marginal farmland could be transitioned into thriving native forest, inspiring Paul to co-found BioBonds in 2023, enabling others to invest in land restoration at scale.
Project Spotlight: Barrier Trust Reforestation Initiative
Paul is also overseeing a 160-acre restoration project on Aotea (Great Barrier Island), through the Barrier Trust. Located at Palmers Beach, the project has already commenced planting pioneer natives, such as mānuka, kānuka, coprosma and kauri, with a vision to restore biodiversity, resilience and coastal forest habitat across the island.
Through BioBonds and his restoration projects, Paul continues to connect people to land, rebuild native biodiversity, and create enduring ecological legacy for future generations.
“I came back to New Zealand because it’s the best country in the world”
– Paul Van Dorp
Kyria Mailman
Kyria, the co-founder of BioBonds, brings a profound dedication to people, planet and spirit into the heart of the company’s mission. Her passion for ecological restoration and soulful stewardship has driven her to create meaningful change, empowering others to take part in the regeneration of our whenua (land).
Her global travels revealed nature’s power to heal the mind, body and soul, igniting a personal journey of learning ancient Sanskrit, working with Earth energy and studying Te Reo Māori to deepen her connection with indigenous wisdom and sacred timing. These teachings now guide her role in coordinating the seasonal rhythms of BioBonds’ on-the-ground planting cycles, including her active contribution to the Barrier Trust reforestation project on Aotea, Great Barrier Island.
For Kyria, BioBonds is more than a company — it is a movement. By inspiring conscious action, she demonstrates that peace, happiness and collective healing become possible when humanity and nature are re-united in purpose.
A devoted guardian of the Earth, Kyria has committed her life and career to this cause. Through BioBonds, she envisions a future where people honour the planet’s gifts and elements, protect her beauty, and leave her thriving for generations to come.
Louis Sammons
Louis brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing, and content creation to BioBonds, where his passion for sustainability and the environment aligns with the company’s mission. As part of BioBonds, he is proud to contribute to regenerating the whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand and restoring it to its natural state.
Originally from Aotea Great Barrier Island, Louis grew up surrounded by native flora and fauna, which fostered his deep connection to the land. He hopes that, through BioBonds, more people across New Zealand will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of our native bush for generations to come.
At BioBonds, we believe in the power of people to drive positive environmental change. Louis’s dedication highlights the role people play in protecting and regenerating the natural world, ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Planting Team
Green Team Kaipara was founded in 2017 by Kaipara born brothers Tane and Whetu Henderson in partnership with Kauri Park Nurseries. The brothers have remained connected with the whenua and uphold strong values within Kaitiakitanga, collectively being the foundation for The Green Team and its vision for a cleaner and more sustainable New Zealand.
“We use our skills and knowledge about the land and indigenous planting and placement methods to help generate the most effective and productive growth for native plants and trees.” – Tane Henderson
“Green Team Kaipara first met Paul and his team in 2022 when we were tasked with taking grade seven, steep mountainous land and finding the right placement for the natives to achieve the most harmonious growth outcomes. This was an amazing project to be a part of and by involving our team of planters from our local area, we immediately felt connected to this project and its purpose. Our crew proudly planted the 820,000 trees for this project. We were out there every day, planting for a better, more sustainable future and a cleaner greener Aotearoa”.- Tane Henderson