Ms Toki (44) started in the position on Tuesday.
She was excited and proud to be leading the organisation, she said.
"I think this is a critical time for New Zealand and its natural heritage.
"I feel we are at a moment, post-pandemic and staring down the barrel of climate change, when we have to ask who we are and what we want."
Ms Toki earned an honours degree in zoology and ecology and a postgraduate diploma in natural history film-making at the University of Otago.
"I loved the University of Otago, as well as the natural diversity of the region," she said.
After she graduated, she worked as a camera operator for Channel 9, had an internship at Otago Museum, and worked with a local branch of the Department of Conservation.
Ms Toki said she looked forward to taking the organisation, which will be 100 next year, into its next century.
"I want to effect positive change. Part of that is working with mana whenua and supporting the Maori community when we can," she said.
Ms Toki also said she wanted to help turn the conservation of nature into a top priority.
"The natural world benefits all of us and should not come at the bottom of priorities.
"It’s an investment, not a cost," she said.
