Meet the TriOceans Team

Marine scientists, educators and navigators working together to inspire ocean stewardship in Aotearoa.

From marine mammal monitoring and ecological surveys to hands-on education programmes and field courses, the TriOceans team brings together scientists, educators and cultural leaders passionate about the ocean.

Based in the Bay of Islands, Northland / Te Tai Tokerau, we work across research, training and community partnerships—supporting schools, universities and visiting students while building long-term marine knowledge and stewardship

Leadership

Thibaud Guerin

Director

Trained in marine biology and laboratory science in France, Thibaud began his research career working on New Zealand’s bottlenose dolphins before co-founding TriOceans in 2015. Since then, he has led the organisation’s growth—managing operations, securing and delivering research contracts, and developing education and training programmes across Northland.

As Director, Thibaud has overseen a wide range of applied marine science projects, created and delivered professional training courses including the Marine Kaitiaki and MSD programmes, and mentored interns and students from Aotearoa and overseas. He remains TriOceans’ principal skipper and a lead field researcher.

Driven by curiosity rather than allegiance to a single species or discipline, Thibaud is motivated by the many unknowns of the marine environment—and by building practical, field-based science that supports conservation, communities and future marine professionals.
DUT, BSc, Skipper, PAM operator, MM medic. PADI Rescue Diver

Dr Catherine Peters

Co-founder & advisor

Originally from England, Cat has built her career around marine conservation and scientific research, calling the Bay of Islands home since 2012. She completed her PhD in 2016, specialising in dolphin communication and behavioural ecology, and is an experienced marine acoustician with a background in dive instruction.

Cat went on to serve as the Bay of Islands Marine Ranger before moving into a national advisory role within the Department of Conservation, where she supports marine protection and management across Aotearoa.

At TriOceans, Cat brings deep scientific expertise, operational experience and strategic oversight to research programmes and education initiatives, helping connect field science with real-world conservation outcomes.

PhD, BSc, PAM oeprator, PADI Instructor, National Large Whale Disentanglement Team Lead, Training skipper

Education & Research Team

Kayla Keyes

Marine Educator

Kayla obtained her bachelors degree in marine science and biology from Coastal Carolina University and later completed her masters in conservation biology from Miami University of Oxford. She is originally from the U.S. but has pursued a life long career of travel and marine conservation. Having worked in marine research programs around the world, she has found her passion in making marine science and conservation programs exciting and accessible to all. For the past ten years, she has worked as a marine science and conservation education specialist. She permanently moved to New Zealand in 2019, and joined the TriOceans team as a Marine educator in 2021. She is also a Co-Founder of the Ocean Mind Project.
BMS, MA, STEM facilitator, MM Medic, Diver

Tiwai Rawiri

Educator & cultural advisor

Ko Matakaa Te Maunga te ruu nei i taku ngakau
Ko Kerikeri Te Awa e mehea nei aku maaharahara
No Wharengaere ahau
He mihi ana ki nga tohu o nehe, o Mataroa e noho nei au.
Ko Tiwai Rawiri ahau
Ka huri au ki te korero Tauiwi…
I am blessed to be part of Nga Kaitiaki o Te Moana Team of Tutors

Having life experience & wide range of skills allows me to be flexible, discerning & sensitive to others needs.
I bring into the team & learners my work experience which is diverse including people from a range of different social & cultural backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities etc.
I am led by the promise of my/our tupuna… that I am/ We are enough!
Ngati Torehina

Myra Connell

Education & Research Assistant

Myra joined TriOceans after completing the Marine Kaitiaki course in 2024 and went on to work as a Research Assistant through 2025, supporting a wide range of education and field programmes across the Bay of Islands.

During her time with TriOceans, she helped develop and deliver ecotourism and skippering courses, supported community events, and played a key role in marine mammal research—assisting with theodolite surveys, managing interns, collecting field data and processing results in the office.

A keen diver and boatie, Myra has a particular interest in kōura (crayfish), which formed the focus of her Marine Kaitiaki research project and is an area she plans to continue developing through future field studies. Originally from Te Rarawa on the west coast and now based in the Bay of Islands, she brings strong organisational skills, hands-on field experience and a commitment to practical, community-focused marine science.