Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Jack Mace, National Integration Coordinator in Wellington.

At work

Some things I do in my job include:

Jack Mace (right) with one of the locals in Afghanistan

I provide a voice for Conservation Services in National Office (and a voice for National Office within Conservation Services) so there is a lot of working in with other groups within DOC to make sure that things are working smoothly and there’s coordinated and integrated decision making across the Department.

Thus far I’ve mostly been busy trying to align our business planning and reporting processes with the outcomes we’re trying to achieve—and make them simpler and more practical in the process.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Making sure we are doing the right thing in the right place at the right time, and that we’re working as one organisation. Finding opportunities to make things easier. Looking for risks and problems and trying to resolve them. Picking up the odd jobs that would otherwise fall through the cracks.

Making the most of our historic heritage

The best bit about my job is:

A steep plot in South Westland

Working across the whole of DOC’s work. I can see how it all connects together and where there are some big opportunities for us.

I get to work with a bunch of onto it people from all levels of the Department. Plus, I’m finally starting to understand the reason for some of the things that really bugged me as a ranger—like CAPEX, thirdly reporting, depreciation…

The strangest DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Putting a penguin in a wine cask (we were trying to work out a good way to hold it to take blood samples).

Or the time Dean Caskey, Glen Fyfe and I had to go and rescue hundreds of short-finned eels from a muddy dried-up pond in Taranaki. We got covered in muck and filled up two wheelie-bins full, which I’m sure is someone’s worst nightmare!

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

I could write a long list for this one—but maybe I’ll say Mark Martini from Hokitika. You won’t find a friendlier or more helpful bloke. Incredibly passionate about his work, knowledgeable about the bush and the ecological and social problems we face. He knows how to work within the system and achieve good results. And he has a good sense of humour to boot. Just don’t let him near the cooking stove…unless you like pie sandwiches!

On a personal note…

My happy place is:

Nelson Lakes National Park. I grew up skiing at Mt Robert aged 6 so it was my introduction to the great outdoors. I genuinely thought that screaming horizontal hail was normal alpine weather. It was also where I got my first job with DOC—as a stoat trapper—and where my wife Anneke and I got married last year.

Today’s dining room, this time above the Whataroa Valley

If I could trade places with any other person for a week—living or dead—it would be:

Kupe. Imagine being the first person to set foot on Aotearoa—the things you would see before humans and rats and dogs and pigs and all the rest came along and mucked things up.

My best ever holiday was:

A climbing trip to Afghanistan in 2009.

I didn’t get up to much climbing, but we spend 5 weeks walking around the Wakhan corridor in the far northeast of the country. An incredibly remote and difficult place. The people there live a definite hard-scrabble life, but were some of the most friendly and welcoming folk I’ve ever met.

Everywhere we went we were greeted with cups of tea, bread, and a place to stay. And I think if we could import a few of their yaks and donkeys we could cut down on the helicopter bills.

Kirghiz camp in the Afghan Pamir, Tajikistan in the background

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

A falcon/karearea. Would beat walking around those hills, and I could specialise in taking out stoats and rats. BAM!

Alternatively, a kea. Mucking about in the mountains causing mischief sounds like a good life.

My secret indulgence is:

Sneaking off into the bush by myself to wander around exploring. I like to say I’m hunting but my serious lack of results lately suggests I’m subconsciously just after a slow walk on my lonesome out in the bush.

An example of our majestic wildlife on Enderby Island

If I wasn’t working at DOC, I’d like to:

Be semi-retired, focusing all of my efforts on restoring a patch of bush somewhere in the top of the South Island. Failing that, a professional spinner of yarns would be a good racket.

Deep and meaningful…

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

Listen more and talk less. Obviously I’m still working on this.

Hovering at the Pelorus “landing” site

In work and life I am motivated by:

People who are passionate about what they do, and are good at it. Talking to people like Jeremy Rolfe about plants or Nobby Robson about the Ruahines make me want to get out and do it.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Make the time to get out there and enjoy it. There’s not a single town in New Zealand that doesn’t have incredible natural places nearby (even Ashburton!).

Also the pleasure that can be gained from knowing a few plants and animals far outweighs the effort it takes to learn them.

My celebrity lookalike

Question of the week…

Who is your celebrity lookalike?

I’ve been told I bear a certain resemblance to someone called “Grizzly Adams” but I’m too young to know who that is.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Norm Thornley, Geospatial Services Manager.

At work

Norm (kneeling) with Dave Hunt, checking a stoat trap

Some things I do in my job include:

Leading a team of geospatial professionals who provide a service right across DOC.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Providing the mapping and spatial analysis for everything—from marine protection to alpine avalanche prediction and wildfire modelling, to mention but a few.

The best bit about my job is:

The variety of the work, the professionalism of the team, and being able to contribute to conservation in a meaningful way.

The scariest DOC moment I’ve had so far was:

While on the fire line in Victoria—running to escape a burn over when a back burn breached a control on a track later name Kiwi Bacon Ridge.

Lighting a back burn as part of a DOC deployment to Victoria

The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

There are quite a few, but the ones that immediately spring to mind are Sandra Parkkali, Rene Duindam, and Martin Slimin. Their tenacity and dedication to DOC’s goals are an example to us all.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I flew in an air force Orion out of Dunedin on a coastal surveillance mission for DOC. The object of the exercise was to capture aerial imagery of the Chatham Islands. When we got there, however, the only part that wasn’t covered in cloud was the lagoon.

My best ever holiday was:

Spending five weeks driving around Europe with Anne and our two daughters. We came away with a much better appreciation of how unique and special New Zealand is, and how privileged we are to live here.

Norm (far left), with family and friends, at the Motatapu mountain bike event

My greatest sporting moment was when:

I crossed the finish line after completing the Kepler Challenge back in 2001 with my best mate Chris.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next 6 months is: 

First, my daughter’s wedding, in late October. Then, in December, it’s up Arthur’s Pass to help Chris celebrate moving into his next decade.

Looking out of the DOC Collingwood Batch

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be: 

A kea. I really love seeing the mischief they get up to and their seemingly carefree enjoyment of life.

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

Winston Churchill, speaking about the battle of Britain fighter pilots and crews: “never before have so many owed so much to so few”.

Anne, Chris and Norm, ready to start a ride on the Queen Charlotte Track

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: 

There are two ways you can read a rule book: The negative way, where if doesn’t say ‘you can’ then you can’t; or the positive way, where if doesn’t say ‘you can’t’ then you can.

In work and life I am motivated by:

Our beautiful country and the contribution working for DOC enables me to make to improving and protecting all the things I value.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is: 

Join a local conservation group. I belong to a predator trapping group, and checking the traps takes an hour and a half a month—a small price for enhancing the bird life and halo around Zealandia.

The DOC southern team taking the Charleston underworld caving experience

Question of the week…

Pick a scar you got in childhood and tell the story of how you got it:

That will be the tip of my right hand ring finger, which I lost to a water pump belt pulley when I was three.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Dene Robinson, DOC’s Administration Director in Wellington.

On the Heaphy Track (centre) with Dean Van Meirlo (right)
and Phil Rutherford (left)

At work

Some things I do in my job include:

Leading a dedicated and highly experienced group of eight administration managers and 90 administration officers across 54 DOC office locations.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Delivering efficient and effective administrative services that supports conservation growth i.e. supporting our rangers to do more conservation on the ground.

Ōkārito brown kiwi/rowi recovery work on Motuara Island

The best bit about my job is:

Working with a hugely experienced and dedicated administration team.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

This is my second stint at DOC. Previously I was Business Services Manager on the West Coast, based in Hokitika from 1998-2001.

A wow moment for me back then was being in Karamea, at the Oparara Arch, where I got to see whio for the first time.

I rejoined DOC in September 2013, based in Hokitika as Administration Manager, and was lucky enough in December 2013 to find myself back at the Oparara Arch, where I again observed whio—very awesome!

Oparara Arch, Kahurangi National Park

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

Again, from my West Coast days, I was always amazed by the Statutory Land Management (SLM) knowledge the now retired Ian Gilbertson carried around in his head. His keen sense of humour and pragmatic approach to life in DOC always encouraged me.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I have been a sworn in as Coroner and Justice of the Peace… for the Ross Sea Dependency.

Mount Erebus, taken while I was Manager at Scott Base

If I could trade places with any other person for a week it would be:

Phil Jackson, Head Coach of  the Chicago Bull’s NBA Basketball Team (1991-1998), on any of the weeks when the Bulls won one of their six NBA titles.

My best ever holidays have been at:

Lake Kaniere, near Hokitika, tucked in the foothills of the South Alps—magically warm water in the summer months and beautiful scenery.

Lake Kaniere

My greatest sporting moment was:

Representing New Zealand Basketball, in 2011 and 2012, as part of the coaching staff for the under 18 men’s team.

Coaching the under 18 New Zealand men’s basketball team

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

A tūī. Playful, fun, intelligent—I love them. And I’m amazed to see how prolific they are in Wellington since I moved here in March this year.

Tui feeding, Wellington Botanic Gardens

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“Keep it simple.”

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

Take each day as it comes.

In work and life I am motivated by:

Good people doing good things—at DOC this is the default setting.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

We all need to be involved.

I spent 12 months living at Okarito prior to rejoining DOC in September 2013

Question of the week…

What are three of your favourite words?

Howdy—I always wanted to be a cowboy and I imagine this is a favourite saying for cowboys (i.e. Woody from Toy Story: Howdy Partner);

Serenity—my daily aspiration is to achieve serenity; and

Kia ora—a wise te reo advisor recommends this as a default response if other te reo greetings escape from memory at any given moment.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Renee Potae, Biodiversity Ranger based in Tongariro.

At work

Renee

Some things I do in my job include:

Monitoring kiwi in the Tongariro Forest Kiwi Sanctuary, one of New Zealand’s five National Kiwi Sanctuaries set up to research kiwi protection techniques. This involves catching kiwi, lifting eggs from kiwi nests for Operation Nest Egg, monitoring kiwi chicks at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary kiwi crèche, and speaking to the public about kiwi. We also work with kiwi at Southern Ruapehu Forests and assist with whio and threatened plant monitoring in our district.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Assisting community and iwi led conservation groups by sharing our research findings and involving people from the community in our work.

It is a privilege to be able to provide opportunities for people from many different backgrounds to learn about our national icon and the plight of not only the birds themselves but the greater ecosystems in which they live.

The best bit about my job is:

On any given day I could find myself in a small plane, driving an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), in a 4WD, a helicopter, driving a computer, public speaking, or towing a rural fire trailer to a vegetation fire.

Kiwi release on the ATVs

The funniest and strangest DOC moment I’ve had so far is…

The first time I squeezed my entire body into a log, with only my feet sticking out the end, to retrieve a juvenile kiwi. While inside the log, I still had to use my small hand saw to quietly cut away some roots so I could reach him.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

Rob Hood, for believing in me whenever I had a new challenge to face. And all of the passionate Biodiversity Rangers I have met across the country, including all of those who have worked on the Tongariro Forest Kiwi Sanctuary Project. It is a challenging environment to work in, but incredibly rewarding.

Happy elephant—stood in that spot grazing all day

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that I:

I am a fire fighter in the New Zealand Fire Service in the busy Turangi Volunteer Fire Brigade.

My happy place is:

Harataunga – Kennedy Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula, where my Ngāti Porou marae and my father’s family are. I also am at home in Turangi where my mother and Tūwharetoa whānau are from, so I am happy to travel back and forth from the mountains to the sea.

Rafting on the Nile

My best ever holiday was:   

To Uganda, Africa. I was visiting my partner, who was a raft guide on the Nile at the time. It was awesome to meet rangers in parks and sanctuaries there—and incredibly surreal as they were equipped with armed guards.

It was an amazing place to visit and, despite the challenges, we were sad to leave.

The red dust really gets into your skin and under your feet and serves to draw you back. I can’t wait to visit Africa again.

My greatest sporting moment was when:

I played many sports growing up and had some success rowing in the Senior Women’s 8 for the Cambridge Club, Lake Karapiro. But my favourite sporting moment was when I plucked up the courage to enter some freestyle ski competitions at the ski resort we worked at in Canada. They were small local events and the best I could do was second, but at 30 years old I must have been the oldest competitor, and the most stoked to even land any jumps or rails at all!

My most prized possession is:             

Although he’s not really a “possession”, and he might argue that the shoe is on the other foot, it would be my dog, ‘Tahi’ a pushy but handsome bulldog/huntaway cross.

Canadian powder! Panorama Ski Resort, where I worked as a ski boot fitter

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is:

“A friend is someone who truly knows you, and still likes you!”

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

“Set lofty goals, but don’t forget about the small steps you have to take in the short term to reach those goals…one step at a time.” ~ Mum.

In work and life I am motivated by:

A sense of kaitiakitanga of our taonga, including people, land and/or its inhabitants, to try to look after them for the generations to come.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Make the connection between what happens in our environment and what happens in all of our everyday lives, no matter where we live or what job we have. Realise the impact of environmental health on our society as a whole.

Kiwi release at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary

Question of the week

If you could communicate/talk with kiwi, what would you like to talk about?

I would probably talk with them about what they think are the best ways we could assist them. Also I am curious to know what they get up to when we are not there and they are awake all night.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Andrew Cudby, Regional Planning Manager based in Nelson.

At work

Some things I do in my job include:

Enjoying the lifestyle at Kaiteriteri Beach

I am part of a national team, based in regional offices, who work with others in DOC to translate our strategy into planned and prioritised work programmes for delivery across the country.

Within my regional team I have a number of Delivery Planners (who work with others to plan, monitor, and report on our biodiversity and recreation/historic work). I also have Asset Planners, (who administer the system and processes for all our assets), and dedicated Works Officers and Inspectors (who ensure that our assets are being built and maintained to standard).

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Our work is aimed towards ensuring that DOC is doing the right work, in the right way, at the right place, at the right time.

The best bit about my job is:

I am lucky to have a really talented bunch of individuals within my team who do a fantastic job of making me look good. I also enjoy the breadth of the role and having one of the few positions that get a view of the Department from top to bottom and side to side. I even get out of the office occasionally to get muddy boots—any day out is a good day!

The natural hot pools on the Copland Track

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Any one of a number of helicopter flights throughout Fiordland, getting a bird’s eye view of Middle Earth. On days like that, working for DOC is a real privilege.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

I have been fortunate since entering DOC in 2006 to work in National Office, Te Anau Area Office, and now in Nelson. This has given me a unique insight into many of the roles (and quite a few of the people) that make up the Department.

Like everyone else, I admire all of the individuals on the front line and back in the trenches who are passionate about wanting to make a positive difference to the Department and in the work they do. That includes those in leadership roles who are working hard to change the culture and how we work together and with others.

In Punakaiki on a South Island reconnaissance mission

On a personal note…

The song that always cheers me up is:

‘Out in the Street’ by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I enjoy listening to a wide range of music but ‘The Boss’ definitely rules the CD player at home and in my car.

For my 50^th birthday my wife and kids bought me tickets to his recent concert at Mount Smart Stadium. I missed his first visit 10 years ago and have regretted it ever since—so that was definitely a tick off my bucket list!

My happy place is:

Fiordland is pretty hard to beat, but I am now enjoying the Nelson lifestyle and getting around the region to meet up with my new colleagues and their teams.

I have, however, learnt through experience that it’s not so much where you are but who you’re with that’s important. Having spent a fair bit of time apart over the past year, I am happy now to be discovering new sites in and around Nelson and just hanging out at home with my wife Donna and our kids—Matthew (22), Jaimee (17) and Phoebe (4). Phoebe was our little Fiordland surprise package and is Daddy’s little (fairy) princess.

Hanging out with my family

My best ever holiday was:

Our South Island family trip in January 2008 on a reconnaissance mission to Te Anau. We got to see all of the best bits of the mainland as tourists, which then led to spending the next five years living and working on the edge of paradise. I still envy those who have successfully made Te Anau their home.

In my spare time I:

Breed alpacas. As part of the move to Te Anau, we planned to buy a lifestyle block and build a Lockwood home on it. We weren’t sure what we wanted to run on the land so we bought a couple of everything including two pregnant alpacas.

Six years on, the other livestock are long gone and we now have 40 alpacas and a small business venture. Needless to say the alpacas are also now enjoying the warmer climate of the Nelson region.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next 6 months is:

Funnily enough it will be selling our Lockwood home and lifestyle property in Te Anau that has been on the market for the past year.

The joys of breeding alpacas in Fiordland

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

I have a few, but the one I recite most often is from Jurassic Park “Just because we can, doesn’t mean that we should”.

This doesn’t just apply to genetic engineering—and has certainly helped me in more than a few wide ranging debates. It has proved particularly useful when reviewing capital expenditure proposals that focus on the potential of a site rather than what is needed.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

I have a background in management accounting and have spent a lot of my time helping managers to balance their cheque books and to consider the financial implications of their decisions (come to think of it I spend a fair amount of time at home doing the same thing).

With that in mind, the best advice I ever received was early in my career from a former colleague who told me, “Your job is not to tell managers what they can and can’t do—It’s to tell them how they can and can’t do it”!

In work and life I am motivated by:

I am motivated by the challenges of working with others up and down and across the Department to improve how we plan and prioritise our work. We also get to influence the pace of change by keeping one foot firmly on the accelerator and the other on the brake.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Don’t underestimate the importance of outdoor recreation and volunteer opportunities as a way of changing the hearts and minds of New Zealanders.

In 1987 I spent three months in Fiordland on Operation Raleigh (now Raleigh International) volunteering on conservation projects, such as the formation of the Kepler Track and the establishment of Breaksea Island as a bird sanctuary. It then only took another 19 years to find my way into the Department.

My little fairy princess Phoebe

Question of the week…

Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?

Nothing in particular comes to mind. I guess we’ve all had the odd mishap and a few set-backs along the way, but the real test is how we respond to those challenges (and whether we learn and grow as we go). It probably also helps if we understand that we’re usually only remembered for our last mistake—so the earlier ones don’t really matter.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Amy Brasch, Partnerships Ranger based in Wellington.

At work

Amy Brasch

Some things I do in my job include:

Little bits of everything, including: organising events and hui, supporting local community groups and schools, health and safety team officer, tending to seals in the road or injured birds, occasional 5-minute DomPost quiz master, and social club coordinator.

Specifically, I’ve worked on Wellington’s Restoration Day, Pest Fest, Weed Swap, and various working bees.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Engaging the public in fun, informative ways. Our initiatives and events aim to create new interest in conservation through public outreach and up-skill those currently working on conservation projects.

The best bit about my job is:

The people. I work in a great office with amazing people and creatures.

Examining the native wildlife on Matiu Somes Island

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Helping with kiwi monitoring. It was a privilege to be involved in kiwi conservation efforts happening in Wellington’s backyard—Rimutaka Forest Park.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I studied foxes in New Zealand! While my Masters degree is from Victoria University of Wellington, my topic pertained to Sacramento Valley red foxes in California. Confusing, I know.

My wonderful family at my graduation

The song that always cheers me up is:

Anything that Becky Wilson (another Wellington Partnerships Ranger) decides to sings that day.

My stomping ground is:

Northern California! I highly recommend visiting because it’s absolutely beautiful.

Swimming with crocs in Darwin, Australia.

My best ever holiday was:

It’s hard to pick just one but, if I had to narrow it down, it would be my recent world tour! About two months ago I went on a 5 week journey that literally took me around the world. I visited Japan, Spain and California. It was so nice to be submersed in three very different cultures. I loved every second of it!

My greatest sporting moment was when:

I’m still waiting for my sports career to blossom! I used to compete in dance and race in snowboarding—that’s about the extent of my sporting abilities.

My sister and I riding a camel in Israel

The best piece of news I’ve heard lately is:

That I received my New Zealand residency. Wahoooooo!

Before working at DOC:

I was completing my Masters degree in Ecological Restoration at Victoria University of Wellington. Before that, I worked as a scientific aide for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. During my undergrad, I was an assistant manager for the University of California, Davis research greenhouses.

A lovely outing to Mana Island for the day

Deep and meaningful…

My two favourites quotes are:

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” (Ancient Native American Proverb) and “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on Earth” (Mark Twain).

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

Never stop learning.

Visiting my future home (La Alhambra) in Granada, Spain

In work and life I am motivated by:

Travel! There is nothing better than a good adventure.

This Conservation Week I am:

Organising and supporting a wide array of events. The most notable DOC led events for Conservation Week 2014 in Wellington have been the Rimutaka Forest Park Open Day—where we officially launched Wellington’s Kiwi Ranger programme and the Free Screening of Hallowed Isles.

Family Pest-Fest is our next big event on Sunday— it’s a collaborative family-friendly pest exhibition with 18 partners involved. We also have a few community group driven events that we will lend a helping hand with.

Amy with Rimu the kiwi during Conservation Week

My advice to New Zealanders this Conservation Week is:

This is your opportunity to get involved. The majority of Conservation Week events and activities are free or heavily discounted so attend as many initiatives as possible!

Find out what you are interested in and ways to get involved. While conservation happens all year around, Conservation Week is a great platform for celebrating our natural environment and getting involved in conservation projects.

Question of the week…

What would your reality TV show be called?

The curious adventures of a California Kiwi.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

DOC ranger, Alice Hosted

Today we profile Alice Hosted, Partnerships Ranger in Kerikeri.

At work

Some things I do in my job include:

I am part of the Far North District Partnerships team. Our team has a fantastic breadth of skills which, hopefully, I am contributing to!

My main area of work is around statutory requirements. I am also involved with community groups—helping to identify opportunities, making sure they feel supported, and being a ‘key contact’ on DOC’s behalf.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Making sure that environmental values are advocated for at a district level, growing conservation done by others, and helping people to realise their connection with, and the importance of, conservation.

One of the perks of the job. Checking out Waitangi grounds and the cultural show

The best bit about my job is:

I love the variety! I have just recently finished university (Bachelors of Environmental Management and Planning with honours) and had not really been considering DOC as an option—purely through lack of awareness of the opportunities available. I thought I was destined to become a consent processor chained to my desk with limited variety.

The best bit about my current role is that I get to use all aspects of my degree, get out and about to some fantastic places, use other skills that I have gained throughout life, be surrounded by inspiring people and no day is ever the same.

A couple of weeks ago I spent one day in a meeting with lawyers in an Auckland high-rise and the next day up to my pits in mud looking at some endangered species.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

I attempted to help rebuild a section of track after ‘the big storm’ (which turned out to be only one of the big storms) and realised just how hard our DOC service team work!

By the time they had built an entire new section of track, I had managed to nail in six track markers, probably solidifying any stereotypes that might exist about my fellow office rangers!

My scariest DOC moment was:

Packing up my whole life and moving to the Far North for this job, after having lived in Christchurch for 23 of my 27 years.

The view from the Great Brett Track, Bay of Islands

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

I have only been with the Department for six months and have met many inspiring people! Instead of picking out one, I would like to use this space to thank all have helped me to make such an easy transition. Namely the  team here in the Bay of Islands, but additionally those who have gone the extra mile to help me out.

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that I:

Don’t have any big toe toenails. Years of trail running have killed all my nerve endings and they just keep falling off. I just paint the skin to make it look like I still have them.

One of my favourite past times—skiing

The song that always cheers me up is:

It doesn’t sound that cheerful, but ‘Wasting My Young Years’ by London Grammar—it’s like a reverse psychology thing and reminds me to make the most of it. Mainly it’s just a really nice song.

My happy place is:

Running on an awesome trail, with the sun filtering through and my wee pup, Mila, chugging on beside me.

My dog Mila on her first Christmas

My best ever holiday was:

They weren’t my favourite at the time, but now that I look back on it family holidays tramping around New Zealand were pretty awesome and I really appreciate that my parents made the effort to get us out there. These memories and experiences have certainly helped to shape my life!

More recently though, I spent some time in Cambodia and Laos with some really close friends from high school; biking, exploring swimming, shopping, eating, eating and drinking so many coconuts, such fun!

My greatest sporting moment was when:

Finishing the Motatapu Adventure Run. 49 kilometres of what I would call mountain running. The toughest run I have done to date but such an epic experience!

The Motatapu Adventure Run

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is:

A whakataukī that I have just recently heard but really encapsulates my world view is “Toitu te whenua, whatungarongaro te tangata—the land is permanent, man disappears”.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

I know I have been given plenty of gems over the years, but couldn’t think of the perfect piece to pass on, so I Googled ‘examples of life advice’, the first tip that came up was ‘don’t seek advice from the internet’… I think that’s pretty good advice!

In a tuk tuk on my most recent trip to South East Asia

In work and life I am motivated by:

The excitement of new experiences.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Every little bit counts. I guess it’s the same principle as death by 1000 cuts but in reverse?

Question of the week

If you had the ability to turn into either a bird or a fish, which would you choose and why?

I would definitely prefer to be a bird. Being able to fly would be so convenient, plus you would get your exercise in at the same time as travel…the views would be pretty awesome as well.

If I could be any bird (past or present), I would be a huia. They are pretty neat looking!

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Greg Van Der Lee, DOC Ranger in Hauraki.

Greg Van Der Lee

Some things I do in my job include:

The work is so diverse. One minute I’m sending out emails to iwi for consultation on a wildlife permit and the next minute the phone rings, and I’m talking to someone in Dunedin about easements for a cycle way. I might be trying to write a request for proposal for land acquisition, and then my mate from down the hall asks for a map of historic land surveys in relation to a new hut.

I also help with Treaty settlements, the Fonterra partnership, concessions/permitting, and community groups…

I have had some victories! The recent funding round from the New Zealand Recreation Consortium saw all four of my community applicants receive grants. The work that these community groups are doing is amazing. If you want to get something done, give the job to passionate people. Then support them.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

DOC’s vision is huge. Engaging more people in some capacity is crucial to give ourselves some space to breathe. How we engage and manage the community enthusiasm is the trick. People want to help; we need to make it easier for them to get on with it.

The best bit about my job is:

I love that I can make a difference. I like making connections between corporations and community groups. I love giving support and encouragement to small groups and seeing the successful outcomes.

On the way home from a night at the Pinnacles Hut

The scariest DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

I started in DOC as a goat hunter—hunting the western flank of the Coromandel Range in a team of four hunters. The terrain is fairly challenging, with some reasonably steep bits—just the sort of place goats flourish.

We were in the Opitonui catchment, not far from Castle Rock. I was onto a small mob and my dog was bailing nicely about 3 metres below me. I was standing on a small grassy knob and, as I tried to look over to get a shot, the whole lump of grass gave way.

I remember the tumble drier effect of the fall, and the wet nose of my faithful companion in my face after I landed.

I had the classic “my life flashed past my eyes!” moment, and wondered if “this it”. I lay there for a few moments—no pain—got up, cleared the barrel, looked back up the bluff and the goats were gone!

Not a method I recommend to get bluffed goats.

The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

There are actually two people that I need to mention here; Fin Buchanan and Gemma White.

Fin was the Programme Manager that hired me. I think the work he and Carol Nanning are doing with their dogs is amazing. Fin has always been ready to go the extra distance required to make advances for conservation. He puts a whole of life commitment to the cause. Even his time off is often spent up in the bush (ask him where he was last week).

Gemma White is probably the best boss I’ve ever had (next to my wife of course). I don’t know how she does all that comes across her desk.

If it was only the stuff at the office that got her attention, that would be enough, but weekends are not sacred, and then home life is interrupted by meetings out of district.

The effort she puts in is amazing, and it’s not all pure grunt. Her eye for detail is always catching me out. She demands a high standard, but has the patience to spend time with me to get across what she wants. I have learnt so much working with Gemma.

From the front deck of our house

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that:

I am Canadian. I immigrated to New Zealand in 1972 with the whole family. I grew up in South Auckland and fell in love with this country, and have only been back to Canada once.

The song that always cheers me up is:

My song of the season is, ‘Mary, did you know?’ by the Pentatonix. This song captures what Christmas means to me and this version has great harmonies.

My happy place is:

My farm! I live at Omahu Valley, right at the end of the formed road. I look out my dining room window at the Coromandel Forest Park rising above us into the clouds. I love the mist hanging in the trees and cloaking the hills.

Omahu Stream, about 500 metres upstream from our house

If I could trade places with any other person for a week it would be:

I always wanted to be an explorer. Maybe Kupe or Captain James T Kirk.

My best ever holiday was:

Three months in Queensland, Australia, when I was young and foolish.

My greatest sporting moment was when:

I bowled a hat-trick for the ‘Get drunk on Sunday’ cricket team.

Air operations at Papakai

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is:

I don’t know if it’s a quote, but I love to say “I told you so.” I don’t get to say it very often!

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

My dad said, “You don’t have to do very much more than everyone one else to really standout”.

In work and life I am motivated by:

My Christian faith

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Get off the couch, go outside and do something physical.

Great Mercury Island

Question of the week

If you were given the ability to compete in any Olympic event, what would you choose and why?

One of the shooting disciplines. I’m a pretty crack shot, and the high level training would suit me just fine. Shooting at that level is a very self aware and physically technical skill. I love the self discipline required to have your body completely relaxed, breathing and heartbeat synchronised, and timing the release. Once you get into that zone the rest of the world just disappears. It’s all about that tiny speck that is the very centre of the target.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Rod Hay, Science Advisor in Christchurch.

Rod Hay

Some things I do in my job include:

Encouraging collaboration between DOC and external research agencies. I also tend to poke my nose in to a whole lot of other DOC business, mining my long interest and minimal knowledge of conservation matters to give advice on research, recovery programmes, CITES, natural capital and ecosystem services, Pacific Island environmental issues, etc.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Friday if we work at it.

The best bit about my job is:

Reflecting on a few of the things I’ve been lucky to be involved with in earlier days. Before DOC days Hugh Robertson and I wrote the first species recovery plan in NZ, but it wasn’t for a NZ species. What we kicked off, and Hugh has kept going in concert with many others ever since, is rather spectacular recovery for a wee bird, the kakerori/Rarotonga monarch, that would otherwise have been doomed by now. I was also a co-author of the first Kōkako Recovery Plan, and that has turned out pretty well too I reckon.

The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far was:
I was at a CITES meeting in Nairobi, watching physical conflict on a matter of great “principle” between two members of the delegation of another country (one quite close to here). Before the meeting I went to see a performance by a Maasai troupe. I was the only member of the audience, so they asked me to join them. Then there was no audience at all, so we just had fun jumping up and down together!

Iceland—cold, but spectacular

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee who inspires or enthuses me most is:

It is hard to single out, so I won’t. But I can’t imagine achieving what we do without the many smart and practical people, who I won’t name, like Terry, Pete, Dave, Hugh, Colin, Susan, Clare, Geoff R, Elaine, Elaine, Ross, Jo, Jenny, Moira, Ian, Margaret, Derek, Mandy, Theo, Graeme and Kath. I could go on and on.

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that:

The picture of the forest on the back of the $50 note was from a photo I took at Pureora Forest. No I didn’t get a royalty! I understand that the Reserve Bank has just bought a whole stack of Rob Suisted’s photos for the new banknote series, hence the need to make that boast while I can.

The music that cheers me up or moves me to tears:

It varies. One day it might be Pink Floyd’s High Hopes. At another time, it will be Thousands are Sailing by Planxty, perhaps because it echoes the journeys made here by my Shetland and Irish tūpuna. Keith Jarrett got me through my PhD writing, while Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major is sheer delight at any time.

Getting all official! NZ delegation at a CITES meeting.

My happy place is:

Home or in the garden with my dear friend, mentor and wife Lin Roberts. Our kids Tom and Hester have grown up and left home but their spirit still inhabits the house, along with their books, toys, school projects, pets, etc.

If I had to choose a wild place, where would be nicer or more dramatic than Lake Poteriteri Hut?

My best ever holiday was:

Tramping the Heaphy in a group of 20 friends and family a few years back. That’s closely followed by some of the jaunts Lin and I have had in the last few years, such as walking the edited highlights of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, being guided through Japan this year by Tom or, just a month or so ago, on a too short trip to Iceland. How about driving in a landscape of moss, mountains and ice, through an atmosphere tainted by Bárðarbunga’s eruption, and with Jónsi and Sigur Rós proclaiming loudly from the car stereo? Magic!

My greatest sporting moment was:

When I took gold in the 100 and 200, and bronze in the 400 metres at the 1969 Kotemaori Show. Ah, heady times, winning $4.50 as a professional athlete!

Bird counting at Lake Poteriteri. Such a marvellously remote place!

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is:

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” – Douglas Adams.

I once had the joy of taking him to Kapiti Island. Afterwards we had dinner and discussed how mice ran the world.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given was:

Professor John Morton in 1978 told me to take a job offer with Forest and Bird to study kōkako, thereby hugely delaying the more sensible option, my PhD write-up. Highly risky but it turned ok, didn’t it…didn’t it? Other advice I’ve read recently is to keep my head down for fear that someone might discover that I don’t have imposter syndrome after all.

Avert your eyes from the stubbies, sandals and cardie! This was the Forest Bird (Kōkako) Research Group in 1978.

In work and life I am motivated by:

The need to do something about the scary situation that we humans have created through greedy and wasteful use of the world’s resources. It is not too late to create a more sustainable future but, unless there are big changes, disaster is looming, so let’s work on those changes.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Not to be afraid to loudly proclaim how important our natural, recreational and historic heritage is for our well-being, as a nation and as a species.

A place to kick off the shoes – Erg Chebbi in Morocco

Question of the week

What is your favourite time of the day and why?

It has to be dawn. Maybe that’s because for me it has rarity value, because lying in bed is pretty good too. But for a bird man, lapsed fisher, and keen photographer, that’s when all the action is, and when the light is best.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Jim Staton, Services Ranger in Greymouth.

Clearing drains on the Prohibition Road

Some things I do in my job include:

Restoration and presentation of our heritage; advise engineers, planners, architects, rangers, the public, archaeologists, miners…you name it, on the values of, and how to restore and maintain, avoid or promote, the heritage of New Zealand.

I help the Services team out whenever possible, delve into the remediation of contaminated sites, and am involved in rural fire management through the National Rural Fire Authority’s National Incident Management Teams.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Providing advice on, and meaning to all of the above. Our industrial heritage is an important component of New Zealand’s growth and how we got to be where we are now. However, this is mixed with the need to deal to the contaminated sites that were incurred along the way.

The best bit about my job is:
The people I get to work with, my peers and mentors. Plus being surrounded by the forests, rivers and mountains, then there are the beaches and the sea.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Difficult to pick just one, but upon reflection, the completion of the Historic Lord Brassey Stamper Battery rebuild. When the last nut was tightened Dave Hawes turned to me with a grin and said “we knocked the bastard off”—with all due reverence to Sir Ed of course.

This was a project spread over four years, with one ton of fittings restored back to working condition (we re-used all but three of the original nuts and bolts), plus 20 ton of bulk timbers flown on site and installed. It involved 35 individuals in, at times, trying conditions—and a mass of paperwork!

The restoration of the Golden Lead stamper battery

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

Too many choices and, as I have been around a long time, it seems unfair to pick one. So, I nominate all those who have worked, and still work for the Department—due to their efforts. I think we are well on the road to success.

On a personal note

If I could trade places with any other person for a week—famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional—it would be:

Another very difficult question. Peter Jackson comes to mind. Imagine being able to direct two back-to-back trilogies of a subject as complex—both in storyline and technicality—as the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. On top of that, promoting the mountains and high valleys of New Zealand.

The Lord Brassy Stamper Battery just after completion

My best ever holiday was:

I would like to say with family, whom I have had great holidays with—but it has to be to China, in January/February 2002, with Paul Mahoney (DOC, Technical Advisor, Historic) and two others, chasing the last of the steam locomotives.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next six months is:

After seven years of working on it, to have two contaminated sites on the West Coast remediated.

At home and in my spare time:

I spend time with my wife Paula; catch up with Mum and Dad; our oldest son Chris and his family of four; plus we are now great grandparents—how did that happen?

Our youngest son, Allan, lives in Brisbane and we get over there to see him a couple of times a year.

In my spare-spare time, I’m into model railways. Other after hours interests include industrial history, advising community groups on heritage management, the garden, listening to a bit of heavy metal and going to concerts and wine/food fests.

The family photo

My secret indulgence is:

A good Aussie Shiraz, or a dark beer, well, perhaps not such a secret.

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is:

“The further back you look, the further forward you see”, Sir Winston Churchill.

That quote relates to how battles are fought, the relevance to DOC is: read the old files before leaping into print—do your research.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

From one George Jones, who was the Officer in Charge at the Totara Flat Forestry camp back in the mid 1960s: “Don’t be angry all the time, no one listens to you.”

After that sage advice I listened more and became more involved (I was 18 and rather unruly at the time).

Assisting local staff with big restoration projects

In work and life I am motivated by:

People like George Jones—wise heads, but mostly by those that get things done, or at least try to achieve, nothing is achieved until one has a go at it.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Always consider our heritage, both industrial and the unseen. Just like the flora and fauna of our lands, once eroded or lost, that’s it, gone—photographs, reports, drawings and models (or stuffed birds) will never replace the real thing.

Question of the week

What’s your earliest childhood memory?

Probably an image that spurned my interest in history and scenery. Born in England I recall playing with my mates down at the Five Arches Bridge, spanning a slow moving river nestled in a small valley in parkland like surroundings. I was fascinated by this bridge, how did they stack them stones without it all falling in? I am still fascinated by bridges and how they are constructed.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Planner, Terry Farrell, who is retiring from DOC today after dedicating his life and career to conservation over the last 47 years.

Sorting out my swing in the Landsborough

At work…

Some things I used do in my job include:

Planning and implementing the West Coast animal pest programme from the beginning of DOC.

Nothing worthwhile gets done without money, so my role was to battle for funding and then manage this centrally to ensure we could respond to priorities and to grow the pest control programme in an organised manner.

At one point the West Coast was doing 30% of New Zealand’s possum/rat control. I also coordinated the Himalayan tahr control plan and its implementation for 20 years.

I was lucky enough to manage a small team of monitoring staff, to support the large animal pest programme we had through measuring outputs, ecological outcomes and long term ecosystem change. I became expert at mining their knowledge and enjoyed the opportunities for field trips it gave me.

The last challenge I have had was pulling together the Battle for our Birds programme which was the Department’s response to the 2014 beech mast and rodent irruption.

The tool of choice for West Coast pest control

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Killing critters and keeping ecosystems functioning. Also known as “achieving intermediate outcomes 1.1, 1.2 and 1.6”. All key goals for us in this business.

The best bit about my job was:

Three things really—firstly, working with a fantastic group of people throughout the West Coast on a common task over a long time; secondly, being able to work in, fly around, and explore nearly every piece of the West Coast’s natural real estate, which is big, sometimes challenging, but beautiful; thirdly, the satisfaction of building up a large pest control programme from scratch and seeing the results in real outcomes of healthy forests and wildlife populations. My biggest regret is we couldn’t do more.

Haast community finally appreciate our pest control work

The scariest DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

In the early days of DOC I decided to organise a public meeting at Haast to convince the locals of the merits of our plan to start a long term and widespread aerial 1080 campaign in their backyard to protect the still pristine forests from colonising possums. As you can imagine in the heartland of deer hunters the idea floated like a lead balloon—but I got out unscathed.

Nice to report that after 20 years of operations their world didn’t end, there are still plenty of deer, healthy forests and wildlife and we now have a lot of support for our work.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that I:

Hold the local record for walking to the most West Coast backcountry huts—77 out of about 142. It’s time someone challenged this record.

Favourite haunt the old Dillons homestead in the Taipo Valley

The song that always cheers me up is:

Anything from those 60’s and 70’s rock and blues groups.

My happy place is:

I’m a morning person, so pre-dawn is my favourite time—when trees are sharply defined against a lightening sky, when the air is cool and calm and the earth is wakening up and an hour later when morning sun dapples through the forest canopy. Also, Otago in the autumn is really nice, and the Landsborough Valley at any time.

Holiday in the mountains of Oman

My best ever holiday was:

My son and his family (two grandchildren) live in the Middle East, so that has been the stepping stone for many holidays around both the Middle East and Europe.

A road and camping trip through neighbouring Oman was special as that country has such marvellous history, mountains, deserts and coastlines to enjoy.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next six months is:

Finding my feet as a “self employed” person. Also keen to volunteer on some grass roots conservation work and trying hard not to miss the daily challenges and the people.

Family home for Christmas

Before working at DOC:

There was life before DOC? After a brief dabble with civil engineering I was drawn to managing forests with the NZ Forest Service for 18 years, starting as a trainee Ranger and ending up at Hokitika. Covered lots of roles; culler, back country facilities, forest research,  timber cruising, roads, exotic forest planning and management and all the people management challenges that go with these roles.

Deep and meaningful…

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

To move to the South Island. Then my decision to choose the West Coast as the place to live and work.

Tramping in Arthur’s Pass with Kath—planning to do more of this

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Conservation of species and ecosystems is about killing the bad guys, so be upfront and don’t be squeamish about it. It all costs money—so take every opportunity when it is on offer; always try to improve the tool box, listen to research, adapt, test new things, plan and coordinate with partners to get things done.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Daniel Deans, Brand and Campaign Advisor.

Meeting a kākā on Kapiti Island

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

I work as part of the DOC marketing team, advising on all things brand and helping to coordinate national marketing campaigns – such as the Coastal Gems and Great Walks campaigns. I’m also heavily involved in some of our national publications – such as the Conservation Campsite Brochure and Great Walks Brochures.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Promoting ways that make it easy for New Zealanders to engage in recreation and conservation. Encouraging them to ‘get hooked’ on the outdoors and see the value in our work.

The best bit about my job is:

Working in ‘marketing’ while getting to promote something that I genuinely believe in, and has a positive outcome. I can’t think of many other marketing jobs where I’d get to promote the kind of stuff I’d be doing on my weekends anyway.

Exploring the limestone karsts of Ninh Binh, Vietnam

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Two days volunteering on Kapiti Island with the 2013 interns. This involved a solid day of clearing muddy drains in the pouring rain using only our boot heels and hands. Topped off with a mad swim in the ocean in a howling southerly – because we’d all misplaced our sanity somewhere up the track.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

It would have to be the trio of Robyn Cormack/Julie Ellis/Mel Borich – three of our marketing stalwarts who’ve left in the last few months. Between them they did a huge amount of work over the last few years getting some massive projects underway and ticking along. They’ve left some pretty massive shoes to fill!

In my happy place!

On a personal note…

The song that always cheers me up is:

Secret Meeting – The National. The lyrics of the song are actually kind of depressing, but the line ‘I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain’ always amuses me.

My happy place is:

Classic NZ summer days – swimming at the river, jumping off the wharf, or lying on the beach and watching the sunset with a cool beer in hand (cue Corona advertisement).

My best ever holiday was:

One month travelling solo around Vietnam in July last year. Had an incredible time immersed in a totally different culture, riding around on motorbikes, trekking around hill tribes, eating a LOT of pho and experiencing the joys of overnight buses.

Atop the High-Van pass in Vietnam – a one day motorbike journey through the mountains

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

A Haast eagle. I’d love to swoop over the majestic peaks and through wooded valleys of New Zealand – discovering all sorts of hidden places that no-one knows about. And they were pretty badass animals.

If I wasn’t working at DOC:

I would be a photojournalist for National Geographic (my life ambition at age 16).

Pretending I’m a Haast Eagle

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before” Dalai Lama – 18 Rules for Living.  I try to make it much more than once a year.

In work and life I am motivated by:

Learning and new experiences. I love expanding my world with new ideas, different perspectives, new scenery and interesting people. Nothing I enjoy more than a decent book or interesting lecture or exploring a new place.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Get out there and experience it! The best way to get New Zealanders excited about the work we do is to get them out the door in the first place, and get them hooked on the outdoors.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Simon Strombom, Enterprise Services Manager.

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

Running teams that support DOC’s IT systems.

Attending an IT conference

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Maintaining and developing DOC’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) capacity.

The best bit about my job is:

My staff. You cannot beat staff that are dedicated and enthusiastic.

Spending the weekends on DIY

The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

That, having worked in a number of IT roles in Wellington, this is the first one that, when I told my sons I was taking the role, they both said “cool”.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

A hard one, given I have just started. I think anyone who has worked in the field always brings a valued view to the organisation.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know:

I served in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Defence Force—in the Army Reserves in Kabul, during the summer of 2008. I was decorated in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2009 for leadership and work in countering the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices during our operations over that period.

Participating in the Volunteer Fire Service

My greatest sporting moment was:

Getting 38th overall in the Tauranga Half Ironman, and being at Yarrows stadium and seeing Taranaki win the NPC last year.

In my spare time I:

Do DIY on my 1887 house and spend way too much at Bunnings; as well as coaching surf lifesaving at Titahi Bay.

Before working at DOC:

I worked at ACC, Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Health in IT-related roles.

In Egypt with NZ Multinational Force

My most prized possession is:

Sets of family war medals I have dating from the Taranaki Land Wars to present day.

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“Half a decision now is worth a full decision later on”. Heard this many times in army and it needs to be done more in IT.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

Always maintain a reserve. Applied in the Army, yet equally true in civilian life.

Reviewing arms cache handed in by Afghans

In work and life I am motivated by:

Doing things right, yet also having fun on the way.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Use more of this great country as we are very lucky.

Question of the week…

What do you think is people’s biggest misconception of you and why?

The biggest misconception is around what I do in my job and what led me to this role. People assume an IT manager would have an IT background. I did law at Canterbury, joined the Army as a recon combat officer, then did sales, then recruitment, ICT projects, then vendor management, and then was development manager in two major government agencies, interspaced with trips to several war zones. I am not someone who can sort out your PC (never been a strength) yet I can hold my own around talks about weaponry and pest eradication.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Jane Goodman, Freshwater Technical Advisor in Nelson.

At work…

Hanging out with Chatham Island mudfish

Some things I do in my job include: 

Providing freshwater advice and support to anyone who wants it—DOC staff, the Minister, iwi, external agencies, community groups and the general public.

Most often I get questions directed to me on freshwater fish and the whitebait fishery, which can be anything from ‘how much does one whitebait weigh?’ to advising the Minister on fish protection or the whitebait regulations.

I also comment on permits, contribute to the threat ranking of freshwater fish, talk to schools and community groups, carry out surveys and monitoring.

Occasionally I also make giant kokopu costumes and wear them in Christmas parades, write songs or make galaxiid-shaped biscuits (in my spare time).

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Helping ensure DOC and others are doing the right work in the right places with the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge; attempting to make sure that detrimental effects on freshwater species and ecosystems are kept to a minimum; sharing and hopefully spreading my enthusiasm and passion for freshwater fish.

The best bit about my job is:

The variety. At times it is overwhelming, but it certainly keeps me on my toes and my brain stimulated.

The things I love most are being outside with my fishy friends in all sorts of freshwater ecosystems—from coastal streams to mountainous lakes; and the many different people I work with—there are so many people with so much character, passion, skill and intelligence.

The Freshwater Team

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

A recent field trip to Fork Stream with the Otago Fish Team. In the springs where trout are present there are very few threatened galaxias (upland longjaw galaxias, bignose galaxias and alpine galaxias) and where trout are absent there are piles of the cool wee dudes.

We took several electrofishing machines and carried out trout removal. Seeing the difference between sites, and then doing something to help these guys out, is probably the highlight of my career as a freshwater conservationist so far.

However, I must say there is a fair amount of time spent in the office and I loved every minute (or just about) of my time working in the East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservancy Office. What a pleasure it was to go to work, even when I didn’t really feel like it, and be surrounded by so many dedicated, fun and caring people. That was awesome too.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

I love working with or chatting to people who are really passionate (sometimes obsessed!) about what they do. It’s always inspiring and energising. There are so many DOC staff who fit this description which makes DOC a pretty unique and cool place to work I think.

Rugged up for field work in the deep south

On a personal note…

The song that always cheers me up is:

‘On the Ning Nang Nong’ by Spike Milligan. It always makes me smile and laugh except for once. I’m not entirely sure how it all happened but I had the Bad Jelly the Witch CD in my stereo when I was flatting at Uni. I used my stereo as my alarm clock so I could programme in a gentle song to wake to. I did not choose ‘On the Ning Nang Nong’ at full blast but it happened. Evil flatmates I think.

With colleagues at the Freshwater and Marine Conference dress-up dinner—a bit Eagle vs Shark!

My happy places are:

My family home with Mum, Dad, my three brothers and their families, swimming in the Pelorus River and Gisborne/the East Cape—on the beach or playing in the waves with my mates.

If I could trade places with any other person for a week it would be:

Not a person, but a shortjaw kokopu living in one of the big bouldery mossy streams in the Abel Tasman National Park. That would be glorious.

Lots of native fish – that’s what we like to see

My best ever holiday was:

Every Christmas and New Year with my immediate and extended family (which includes my good friends). These tend to be in Nelson, the Abel Tasman and the Marlborough Sounds. These holidays are full of craziness, tasty treats, lots of talking and storytelling, swimming, tramping, fun and laughter.

This year a highlight was when we went swimming in Cleopatra’s pool in the Torrent River (Abel Tasman National Park) and I had baby banded kokopu and koaro nibbling at my knees—a pretty cool experience for a fish nutter.

My secret indulgence is:

A good mojito… or three—yum yum yum, but dangerous because they’re so jolly tasty!

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

I have heaps of favourites, here’s one: “One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” AA Milne. This often applies to my desk.

Playing in the waves at Wainui Beach, Gisborne

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

In relation to working in the great outdoors: “Janey my girl, never get separated from your lunch!” from the legendary John Adams.

In work and life I am motivated by:

The privilege of being closely involved with looking after (or trying to) New Zealand’s freshwater fish and the places they live, and having the opportunity to visit remote and untouched places that are not often visited by humans. Lucky.

These beautiful things motivate me to keep trying my best to make sure it’s all there in the future, both for intrinsic reasons and for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Other than that I am motivated by the love for and from my family and friends, fun, laughter, creativity, a bit of mischief and adventure!

Forks Stream

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

This is from a good book called Blessed Unrest. This is probably a bit deep, but this quote I think sums up my advice:

“The division between ecology and human rights is an artificial one, the environmental and social justice movement address two sides of a single large dilemma. The way we harm the earth affects all people and how we treat one another is reflected in how we treat the earth.”

Look after each other and the great outdoors. It’s fundamental to our health and well-being, neither are luxuries. Remember this in daily life.

Check out the colour of the Pelorus River – amazing!

Question of the week…

What was your favourite school subject, and why?

I was one of those children that absolutely loved everything about school, so no clear favourite really. But I do remember when I was five I used love writing and publishing ‘books’ because of the combination of writing and drawing or painting. Titles included ‘Looking after Tootsie and Jesus’ (about my neighbours cats!); ‘When I Grow Up I Want to Be … a Clown?!’; and ‘Mum’s Having a Baby’. This last one was about how I hoped mum was going to have a girl, at a time when I had two brothers already. I now have three brothers! They’re pretty cool.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile James Adamson, Planning Intern in Palmerston North.

First sika! Looked bigger through the scope…

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

As an Intern I’m lucky enough to get stuck into a wide range of work. This includes Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE’s), consents, business cases, track design, and sign bids and design.

Since December I have been inspecting tracks and it’s been an amazing experience.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Ensuring our visitor facilities are safe, well looked after and well used.

The best bit about my job is:

Gaining an understanding of the work that DOC does and being able to put my university theory into practice.

The awesome-est moment I have had so far:

Besides being told I had a job, it would have to be listening to whio and deer barking outside Leon Kinvig Hut after a long stumble along the tracks.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires me most is:

Although I have only been at DOC for a short time I have found it easy to feel like part of the team. Everyone in the Palmerston North office has made me feel welcome and patiently answered silly questions!

Wicked trip into Hinerua Hut

On a personal note…

My greatest sporting moment was when:

Either taking 3 wickets for 5 runs before getting too cocky and falling over and shattering my elbow; or scoring my one and only century for the mighty Lansdowne Cricket Club.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next six months is:

Seeing a lot of new country with my inspection work.

In my spare time:

Hunting and playing cricket.

My most prized possession is:

The air rifle my old man gave me for my 14th birthday.

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“If you ain’t first you’re last” – Ricky Bobby from the film Talladega Nights.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

“You get out what you put in.”

In work and life I am motivated by:

The achievements of others and the drive to reach my potential and make valuable contributions to the team.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

To find out what you are interested in, get off the couch and get involved. You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference.

Question of the week…

What was the last film you saw, and what did you think of it?

The last film I saw was The Wolf of Wall Street. It was outrageous and extremely entertaining! Being based on true events made it even more impressive! Definitely not a movie you’d want to watch with your nana.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Fenella Christian, Partnerships Ranger on Great Barrier Island.

At work…

Fenella Christian

Some things I do in my job include:  

I manage the administration of the DOC office on Great Barrier Island. This means I liaise with the public and look after staff.

In my partnership role, I support my colleague Rebecca Gibson with processing concessions and organising programmes with schools like the cockle counts, environmental schools programme and events in Conservation Week and Seaweek.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Being as accessible as possible to the public and being visible as a DOC ranger.

The best bit about my job is:

Working with an incredible team of dedicated and skilled people and learning new skills every day.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Sitting on the cliffs at Whalers Lookout at the southern end of Great Barrier Island, with a dolphin expert and a turtle expert, looking out to sea and imagining what life must have been like for the whalers who used to sit there waiting for the whales to come down the coast.

Office with a view on Great Barrier Island

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

There are too many to name here but Julie Redwood, Rebecca Gibson, Geoff Woodhouse and Paul Rennie particularly inspire me because of their knowledge and dedication to the job.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I am an artist and have exhibited at the Aotea Centre alongside the Wallace Collection and 500 Japanese artists, and at the Mairangi Arts Centre Palmers Rose awards.

Some of my artwork

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

A nīkau palm.

My secret indulgence is:

Swimming at Whangapoua Beach as often as I can.

Before working at DOC:

I was the office manager for an environmental group and a local primary school.

My hero is:

Nelson Mandela.

Girls weekend on Kawau Island

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

“Don’t put anything in writing in anger without leaving it at least one day before sending.”

In work and life I am motivated by:

How excited I am feeling about a particular project.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Trust those who are doing the conservation work to do the best they can. It is their world as well.

Dune planting on Kaitoke Beach with local schoolkids during Seaweek

Question of the week…

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be famous!

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Heather Morison, Biodiversity Ranger in Turangi.

Responding to a whio rescue which turned out to be paradise duckling

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

Helping to manage local pest control operations, assessing applications from external operators, working with local community groups to undertake weed control, survey and monitoring and pest control, and being ‘Mother Duck’ to the whio learning their skills at the whio hardening facility at Turangi.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Working with the wider community to achieve positive conservation outcomes, sharing knowledge with local communities to upskill others and help ‘spread the load’ of those undertaking conservation work.

The best bit about my job is:

The opportunity to learn from people keen to share, although sometimes the learning curve is steep and fast – such as with the whio hardening facility.

Teepee sleeping

The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

During a recent weed surveillance trip in the Rangitikei River when a colleague mistakenly packed his son’s play tent in the shape of a miniature teepee to sleep in. He was able to fit just his head and chest inside – it is still providing chuckles every time I look at the photos. Luckily it didn’t rain!

The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

My partner Paul Prendergast (previous staff member), his sense of humour, love for the job and surroundings encouraged me to join DOC.

Setting up predator traps at Ohinepango Springs

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know:

That I tagged on to a backpacking trip around Europe with my daughter, only to find we had booked into a brothel in Rome by mistake. I thought the noises from surrounding rooms were a result of food poisoning.

The song that always cheers me up is:

’These Boots Are Made for Walking,’ sung by Nancy Sinatra

My happy place is:

Ohinepango Springs in the Tongariro National Park or Waipakihi Valley in Kaimanawa Forest Park.

My greatest sporting moment was:

Watching the MotoGP at Philip Island last year. Romano Fenati is such an entertainer in the Moto3.

The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next month is:

The release of all our whio ducklings from the hardening facility, ready to face the big wide world.

If I wasn’t working at DOC, I’d like to:

Be an undertaker, I have always wanted to try embalming and drive a hearse – my cousin has promised I can drive her hearse if she goes before me.

Before working at DOC:

I wore high heels and lipstick.

Central North Island rangers in the lunch room

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“Perhaps they are not stars but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through” – Eskimo Proverb

In work and life I am motivated by:

Old age.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Let’s all work together to look after our wonderful country – at the end of the day, we need to stop making excuses – the buck stops with us.

Weed surveillance in the Rangitikei River

Question of the week…

What’s better, savoury or sweet?

Savoury, because it’s sweet!

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Chris Rendall, Resource Management Act (RMA) Senior National Advisor in Wellington.

At work…

Dragon boat regatta warm up

Some things I do in my job include:

Developing guidance to assist rangers engaging in Resource Management Act (RMA) matters at the local level.

For example, assisting people’s queries regarding proposed water extraction and whether it is going to impact on fish populations.

I also provide ‘expert’ opinions, for example, I was the Crown’s condition expert for the Chatham Rock Phosphate marine consent hearing.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Improving consistency of practices, maintaining and enhancing relationships, and assisting in the achievement of good conservation outcomes.

The best bit about my job is:

Being involved in a wide range of projects. For example, I have been working with others to review the ‘translocations/protected species movements’ process—to make the process better for all involved.

I have also worked with internal staff as well as others within the Natural Resource Sector on ways to increase consistency in effects management including subjects from Freshwater and Forestry to Vertebrate Toxic Agents.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Attending Te Pūkenga Atawhai at Hongoeka Marae in 2012—a great experience and I met great people.

The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

While there are lots, one that comes to mind is Partnerships Ranger Mike Tapp—he is passionate about his role and uses his knowledge and previous work experience to achieve a lot with very little.

The Bridge to Nowhere

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I was recently awarded the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) New Professionals Award, which involves me heading to Perth to receive it (which I will coordinate with taking leave and take a quick trip with my wife to India and Sri Lanka).

My happy place is:

Doing new things and seeing new places. I love snorkelling and seeing something different every time (and it’s also interesting seeing the differences in reef ecology between places e.g. Poor Knights, Lalomanu—Samoa (pre tsunami), and Koh Tao).

My best ever holiday was:

Nepal in 2000 when I went on a school trip (the teacher wanted to go, so led a trip through Himalayan Youth Adventures). It was a great experience and I went with 12 students from a variety of schools from Wellington and Auckland.

Being evil Odlaw for the day during Round the Mountain relay

My greatest sporting moment was when:

I won the National Secondary Schools three kilometre race walk (a sport that I took up as it meant I didn’t have to train and could justify having time off school to hang out with my friends who were fast runners—coincidentally one of them had to retire from running and now represents New Zealand at race walking). I have also completed a half-ironman in New Plymouth.

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

A kea, I’m a bit cheeky and enjoy investigating things.

My secret indulgence is:

Semi-dried bananas, liquorice, and my wife’s cooking.

My most prized possession is:

My wife!

At the entrance to Angkor Thom, Cambodia

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

One in five of us are mad (and the associated song), which is a favourite of my Dad’s—picked up while he was at Lincoln University, Canterbury.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

The above—keeping it in mind has stopped me worrying too much about life. This motivates me to do what I can, while having a relaxed attitude and enjoying life.

In work and life I am motivated by:

Wanting to get things done. Those of you whom I have worked with, or reported to, will fondly remember my numerous useful and important emails highlighting a wide range of things that should be progressed!

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Every little bit helps! It may be a long, slow seeming, process but if you don’t start you will never finish.

Hard at work in Oakura, Taranaki

Question of the week…

Are you a Mac or a PC?

I’m a PC. Nothing flashy. Relying on brute force and ignorance (hopefully not always true, although my nickname during my masters was Wrench, and I received a certificate for being the sharpest tool in the shed).

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Emma Erickson, Biodiversity Ranger in Opotiki.

Portrait at the beach

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

I started with DOC as a shorebird volunteer and monitored the Matata breeding sites during the 2014-2015 season.

I am now lucky enough to be working for DOC and am involved in the biosecurity efforts on Moutohorā (Whale Island), setting tracking cards and bait stations for rodents and other pests. This allows us to protect the island and its pest-free status.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

The work I am involved in helps achieve DOC’s vision “New Zealand is the greatest living space on Earth” by increasing our knowledge and understanding of our native species. Ongoing monitoring and research allows us to more effectively protect our native flora and fauna.

The best bit about my job is:

Field work is the best bit about my job, I love the outdoors and animals, the bush and our ocean. I also love meeting other like-minded people and learning all about their adventures in the field.

Holding a kiwi at Te Urewera

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

When I got to spend a week in Te Urewera Mainland Island setting DOC200 traps. I held my first ever baby kiwi and will never forget it!

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is:

Peter Livingstone. I have never met anyone with so much knowledge, passion and commitment to our environment. He literally never stops working, even on his days off!

Snorkelling in Tonga

On a personal note…

The song that always cheers me up is:

‘Bittersweet Symphony’ by The Verve.

My happy place is:

In the ocean.

My best ever holiday was:

A month in Vava’u, Tonga, swimming with humpback whales.

If I wasn’t working at DOC, I’d like to:

Be a professional surfer and get paid to travel to the world’s best pozzies.

My biggest pet peeve is:

Cupboards and doors and drawers being left half open.

Me and Toulousesq

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

Get amongst it!

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Life’a a beach

In work and life I am motivated by:

My family and the family I hope to have in the future.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Use less, give more.

Enjoying nature

Question of the week…

Which colour best represents your personality, and why?

I think the colour blue best represents my personality. Like me, the colour blue is cool, calm and is associated with the ocean.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Solutions Architect Abhishek Dixit…

Abhishek Dixit

At work

Some things I do in my job include…

Work on DOC’s IT strategy and architecture, and aligning our systems with our future vision.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by…

Providing reliable and cost-effective IT systems to support DOC. This enables our staff to add value to conservation in a more efficient way.

The best bit about my job is…

Working with DOC staff to understand their wish list and then to deliver cost-effective solutions, within budget.

Camping in the Himalayas

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is….

When my first public cloud (Amazon Web Services) solution architecture project went live last year.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most…

Gavin Walker, I’m motivated by his optimistic and innovative thinking and his leadership skills.

Enjoying time with the family

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that…

I am passionate about car racing and mountain biking.

The song that always cheers me up is…

‘Everything Is Awesome’ – The Lego Movie

‘Pocketful Of Sunshine’ – Natasha Bedingfield

My happy place is…

Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve, Taupo.

Camping in Rotorua

My best ever holiday was…

Camping in Blue Lake Holiday Park in Rotorua.

In my spare time I…

Play with my five year old; play with drones; play Need for Speed on my Playstation 4; and mobile app development.

My hero is…

My father. He is the best, most approachable person for me to provide solutions to most problems. He is a very optimistic and enthusiastic person.

Deep and meaningful

Football practice

My favourite quote is…

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

Never look back in regret but move on to the next thing. A setback is never a bad experience, just another one of life’s lessons. Be optimistic towards life!

In work and life I am motivated by…

Challenges.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is…

Let’s try our best to preserve natural resources on our planet for our future generations. The only way we can do this is “just do it, no excuses!”.

At the drone show

Question of the week

If you were stranded on a lonely beach, what are the five things that you would want to have with you?

1. A reliable tent – a Kathmandu one
2. A solar charged torch and built-in satellite radio
3. Sleeping bag
4. A water bottle with water filter
5. Box of matches to light a fire for cooking and for help