Sue Barker
Sue Barker
I have just been with DOC eleven months in Community Relations working with youth, new New Zealanders and events in the Auckland Conservancy.
I’ve been a teacher of littlies up to secondary in the general classroom and then in the hard materials technology field in intermediate schools. I’ve been a zoo educator at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Edinburgh Zoo and Auckland Zoo. I’ve just come from running a pilot project for the Ministry of Education in six museums in Northland.
I love the techno stuff that is helping protect endangered species and am enjoying all the kakapo technology we have at the Auckland Zoo Sirocco visit at the moment. Read my posts
Matt Barnett
Matt Barnett
I’ve been a community relations ranger in Wellington for 3 years. I’m an honorary Kiwi (married to a Kiwi with 2 Kiwi kids), came over from England in 1998, managed a wine shop, did a psychology degree and taught English before joining DOC. There’s thousands of people wanting to get out and about and involved in conservation in Wellington and I enjoy helping them to do just that! Read my posts
Alison Beath
Alison Beath
Hi, I work at DOC’s Ruapehu Area Office, as a blue duck and kiwi ranger. I work with these fabulous birds in Tongariro Forest, which is about half an hour from the office at Whakapapa Village. I’ve been working here for just over 4 years now. I live in the small ski town of Ohakune, so spend my spare time skiing or looking after my animal menagerie at home! Read my posts
William Bevil
William Bevil
I’m an interpretive media specialist working at DOC’s National Office. My role includes providing advice and technical support towards the development of visitor experience projects across the country. My favourite pursuits away from the office include tramping, camping, nature watching, gardening, science, history, art, culture. Oh, and coffee too! Read my posts
Nick Butler
Nick Butler
I’m part of the DOC web team here in Wellington. When not working on the interweb thing I play a bit of tennish (it’s tennis Jim, but not as we know it) and prowl the second hand bookshops of the nation. Read my posts
Sioux Campbell
Sioux Campbell
Tena tatou! I’ve been with DOC on and off in jobs ranging from contractor to manager for many years. Currently I work three days a week as senior public awareness officer for Northland – and also run my own environmental PR business part-time. I’ve been very privileged to share my work with a wide variety of people involved in environmental management and continue to be inspired by community actions. My own interests range from triathlon to singing and I admit to a particular passion for the marine world. Read my posts
Amanda Cosgrove
Amanda Cosgrove
Kia ora. I’m the Community Relations Programme Manager for Wairarapa Area Office. I’m coordinating Conservation Week for the area and am really excited about what’s coming up and telling you about what’s happening behind the scenes in our planning and during our week of celebration.
Nick Fisentzidis
Nick Fisentzidis
Kia ora I’m Nick Fisentzidis and I work in our Visitor Services team which is part of the Marketing and Communications Group at DOC. Our team’s main role is to support the recreation staff around the country, on everything related to visitor information including recreation brochures, signs and interpretation. Being the rampant hut bagger that I am most of my time outside of work is spent in the hills obsessing over NZFS SF70’s… Read my posts
Ian Gill
Ian Gill
I’m fortunate enough to be working for DOC on the West Coast of the South Island. My playground is a wilderness paradise of intact forests, fantastic birdlife, bats, beaches, wild weather and great communities. And the fishing’s good too. In my spare time I design electronic equipment and do my best to avoid home DIY, but, at work I’m into communications which means I get involved in some of the greatest conservation stories going. Read my posts
Trish Grant
Trish Grant
Hi. I work as a Community Relations Officer for DOC in Nelson/Marlborough. It’s a fabulous region for enjoying New Zealand nature with stunning landscapes -from craggy mountain tops to tranquil bays and islands – and an array of fascinating native wildlife. New Zealand is a great place to live, but I also like to travel, exploring other countries and cultures, and when I can’t get away, I enjoy reading about them. But it’s always good to come home to beautiful New Zealand, and sunny Nelson in particular. Read my posts
Rob Griffiths
Rob Griffiths
I ski, rock climb, white water kayak and mountain bike. In my spare time I have a crack at being the Community Relations ranger at Rotorua Lakes. Fortunately our office is on the back door of NZ’s premier mountain biking area, has numerous rivers nearby, is just over an hour to the North Islands best rock climbing at Wharepapa and just a couple of hours from the snow. I love my job! Read my posts
Emma Hartley
Emma Hartley
Hi, I’m part of DOC’s marketing team. My job is to provide advice and support for campaigns and other promotions so we can give New Zealanders the chance to learn about and experience our amazing wildlife and wild places. When I’m not working I like to get out and about in Wellington especially to play 18 holes at the golf course! Read my posts
Katrina Knill
Hi I’m Trina, I may have the coolest job in Tauranga. I work for DOC where I co-ordinate our public communications and efforts with community groups, iwi, other stakeholder groups and agencies such as councils etc.
Katrina Knill
I get to keep tabs on the conservation work that local staff and community groups are doing; there’s loads of ways that people can benefit from or help with this work and part of my job is making those connections and promoting opportunities for people to protect, enjoy and be involved. I also get involved in emergencies such as forest fires and whale strandings as well as dealing with injured birds, seals etc. – that’s part of the job for all of us that work for DOC especially in the Area Offices. Read my posts
Andrew Lonie
Andrew Lonie
Hi there, I work a 50/50 split between GIS and Communications in DOC Otago Conservancy, Dunedin. If I’m not busy drawing maps or reading/writing blogs, I could be tending my family and farmlet, reading the Otago Daily Times, driving my own engine over a mountain or refuelling it with carbohydrate. Read my posts
Sarah Mankelow
Sarah Mankelow
A North Island defector, I came south to go to Lincoln Uni and never looked back. My first ‘serious’ job with DOC was in Arthur’s Pass National Park, where I spent five glorious years tramping every major track and route!
Now a mother of two, I’m inspired to share my love of the outdoors with them as my father did with me. Read my posts
Shane McInnes
Shane McInnes
Due to an affliction called “Islomania”, I have spent the majority of my DOC life working on a couple of New Zealand’s best islands. I am currently the ranger on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, where I have lived and worked with my partner Liz for the past 4 years. Read my posts
Sam O’Leary
Sam O'Leary
I’ve worked for DOC for almost 4 years, between IT and Communications. Apart from that, I try to take a lot of photos of wildlife, live music, and the beautiful landscapes that Aotearoa has to offer. I make hip-hop music too, but that’s another story. Enjoy Conservation Week and get involved! Read my posts
Helen Ough Dealy
Helen Ough Dealy
Born in the UK to an army family, travelled the world before I was six. Ended up in New Zealand as a teenager and have called this place home ever since. Haven’t lost the British accent though! I have worked for DOC over the last six years in Russell, Bay of Islands, mainly with the tourists who visit the area. I call myself a wordsmith and enjoy mainpulating language in ways that will help others grasp new ideas. Read my posts
Catherine Perry
Catherine Perry
The closest I get to being a ranger is rounding up my colleagues, the always-on-the-go Rec. Team in the Bay of Islands Area office in Kerikeri. They love keeping huts ‘n’ tracks ‘n’ camps in the Bay looking fantastic for visitors . I help with the paperwork so the team can get to fabulous tracks/magical islands as often as poss. I always smile nicely as I wave them goodbye… from my desk … Read my posts
Lizzy Sutcliffe
Lizzy Sutcliffe
I recently moved to New Zealand from the UK, via a dive expedition in the Philippines, and have been lucky enough to discover this spectacular country through my job as Community Relations Officer in Canterbury Conservancy. I am no stranger to beautiful, rugged landscapes as I grew up in the darkly romantic Yorkshire moors before moving to London to study art.
Its a privilege to work in conservation in this country and a pleasure to get out in it’s many habitats and, hopefully, inspire others to do the same. Read my posts
Kerry Swadling
Kerry Swadling
I’m the Community Relations Programme Manager in the Poneke Area Office. We’re based out of an office in Wellington which doesn’t exactly fit with the DOC image of a ‘field office’.
The community relations team is made up of community, historic and visitor centre rangers which keeps things nice and varied! Read my posts
Nic Vallance
Nic Vallance
I have spent the last two years presenting Meet the Locals for TVNZ 6, travelling to every corner of Aotearoa to bring you stories of our wild places, wonderful wildlife, and the people who live to protect it.
I’m a zoologist by trade and a proud ‘nature nerd’. My ‘real job’ is as a senior media advisor for the Department of Conservation. Read my posts
Donna Williams
Donna Williams
I’m based in the deep south of the south, home for me is Invercargill, working for DOC as Public Awareness officer for the Southland Conservancy.
I’m a newbie to DOC and overwhelmed by the amazing work going on each and every day by my dedicated, passionate colleagues and the awesome Southland community. I love having the opportunity to share some of those stories with everyone else and being along for a fantastic ride! Read my posts
Department of Conservation
Emma Hartley
Nic Vallance
Katrina Knill
smankelowdoc
Sam O'Leary
Amanda Cosgrove
Catherine Perry
Andrew Lonie
Kerry Swadling
Matt Barnett
William Bevil
Helen
Rob Griffiths
Sue Barker
Alison Beath
Nick Fisentzidis
Lizzy Sutcliffe
Nick Butler
Ian Gill
Donna Williams
Shane McInnes
raoulislanderdoc
Dave Conley
Sioux Campbell
Trish Grant
August 12, 2009 at 9:23 pm |
This is a fantastic website, thanks. I especially like the focus on the fact that conservation starts with us – the people of Aotearoa. Could I suggest a space be made for those outside of DOC to share education resources and stories pertaining to the care and protection of our precious indigenous ecosystems that may be of interest/help to others?
August 13, 2009 at 9:22 am |
Thanks for your feedback Denise. Enabling people to share education resources and stories is a great idea. Are there any particular resources or stories that you’d like to share? You could leave us a comment about them or email us at blog@doc.govt.nz. Although we haven’t incorporated a feature like this into the Conservation Week 2009 website it’s definitely something for us to consider in the future.
September 2, 2009 at 4:06 pm |
Great Blog guys. I would be keen to hear what you author’s have got planned for Conservation Week? What’s going on in everyones region and what are they getting amongst?
September 3, 2009 at 9:54 am |
Hi Craig – the Bay of Islands Area Office here in Kerikeri is working with the Guardians of the Bay, a fantastic community group which is working to restore the biodiversity of the islands in the Eastern Bay. Predator control has been done, weed control is underway, and planting of beautiful natives grown by the DOC Kerikeri Volunteer Shadehouse is starting too.
Personally, I’m going to go for extra-long works along the beautiful Kerikeri River Track and around the historic Kororipo pa, which overlooks New Zealand’s oldest surviving buildings, the Stone Store and Kemp House.
September 10, 2009 at 12:42 pm |
Strangely enough, I am abandoning my Cantabrian collegues and travelling north to attend an interpretation conference in Rotorua during Conservation Week. I am really looking forward to it as this is a really interesting area of my work. I’m hoping to come home inspired to do more!
September 2, 2009 at 4:52 pm |
Cheers for your feedback Craig. I’ve got family from out of Wellington staying with me at the start of Conservation Week so we’re going to check out Old Government Buildings, Gardens Battery, Turnbull House and Matiu/Somes Island for the Get Involved in Historic Heritage events in Welly – it makes my job as tour guide for the weekend really easy!
September 2, 2009 at 5:31 pm |
Hi Craig
Conservation Week starts early for me – I’ll be running a family orienteering activity as part of the Whirinaki Forest Park 25 year celebrations this weekend.
Then during Conservation Week I’ll be helping out at the Bird I.D. workshop on Sat 12th, and running or assisting with a series of planting days; a public one at Athenree wetland on Sun 13th, with Te Puke school kids at Kaituna wetland on Tues 15th and then with PD workers at Kaimai Summit on Wed 16th.
I also be giving a presentation about NZ dotterel to the Maketu community on the evening of Tues 15th.
Should be all good fun!
Check out the rest of our Tauranga progamme at:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/getting-involved/in-your-community/events/bop/tauranga-conservation-week-factsheet.pdf
September 3, 2009 at 8:14 am |
Gidday Craig! I’ll be starting early too. Off to Rotorua tomorrow to help celebrate 25 years of protection of the Whirinaki Forest – i can’t wait! David Bellamy’s coming along too…
Then, I’ll be flat to the boards for most of conservation week, helping with a very special visitor who’s coming to Auckland Zoo… our very own ‘rockstar’ kakapo, Sirocco! you can find out more on the Conservation Week site or http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/kakapo . It’s all part of a very special plan to celebrate one of our greatest conservation challenges, and all the hard work that has gone into protecting kakapo by volunteers, rangers, scientists, vets, sponsors, you name it! As such, this year, the kakapo numbers increased with the addition of 33 chicks! These young birds will help turn the tide for kakapo survival, and I can’t wait to share the joy of kakapo with people when Sirocco gets up here.
I’ll also be heading to Wellington by the looks of things too – and a quick trip down to Christchurch to film a special conservation themed episode of “What Now” – cool fun! – i hope i don’t get ‘gunged’.
It’s great hearing about what everyone else is up to – what are you planning Craig?
Cheers
Nic
September 3, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Great question Craig.
Here in Wairarapa we’ve got 20+ events and I’m working at most of them plus I’ve got an exam so Conservation Week is a biggie for me. Starting on Friday 11th with a launch hosting all the volunteers that week to say thanks ending with Conservation Scavenger Hunt at Henley Lake on Sunday 20th.
My personal highlight is doing planting with schools like Greytown, Tinui, Whareama and South-End to name a few plus the ‘Conservation Korero’ on Thursday 17 September where Clinton Duffy, Phil Brady and John Sawyer will remind us about what’s special locally.
Can’t wait. Anyone else coming to Wairarapa to get involved?
September 13, 2009 at 10:02 am |
CONSERVATION 12 September 2009, 11:06AM
Conservation week is here again and it is time to get involved
By Paul Sinclair
WEST COAST
The West Coast is one of the few places left in New Zealand where the majority of the rainforest was not clear felled and converted to other exotic monoculture systems. Over 80% of our land area is still in our native ecosystem. We have become the “reservoir” for the nation.
I would like to be part of a community who would protect a small part of this DOC estate for the benefit of all the biodiversity, by building a predator proof fence around the base of Mt Turiwhate and removing all predators within, creating an island “sanctuary”.
The Turiwhate Ecological Island Sanctuary would protect 3800ha of the DOC estate, ranging in altitude from 100 metres to 1368 metres.
By typing in Google “Turiwhate Ecological Island Sanctuary” one can see the proposal on line. This mainland island would be protected by a pest proof fence approx 32km around the mountain. Once fenced the area within can be hunted and trapped to remove all predators. This has been shown to be the most effective way to provide a predator-free area. In time, an increase in the biodiversity will allow many different bird species to be released within the sanctuary.
Check http://www.infornews.co.nz
Paul
October 7, 2009 at 12:46 pm |
NZ On Screen has just published a ‘Nature’ collection. It’s an incredible selection of programmes from NHNZ, curated by Peter Hayden. Peter has also written a backgrounder to go with the collection.
There is a lot of cross-linking with the DOC site from the various titles in the collection. Some of these titles have not been seen since they first aired, and they are really fantastic documentaries.
We’d love to strengthen the links with DOC – between our two sites – and it would be great if someone would like to mention our collection in a blog post.
Anyway take a look – let me know what you think!
http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/nature
Thanks
Brenda
October 20, 2009 at 11:28 am |
so, are any of these cute little animals (and people) above able to be killed by random drops of 145 TONS!! of broadifacoum?
i am shocked at the DENIAL: in your agency, in these pages, in the media.
how are can you call yourselves conservationists and use these things which are banned all over the world?
what is wrong with you????
you MUST stop using these deadly substances. like nuclear energy, there is NO SAFE APPLICATION!!!!
STOP IT!!!
October 20, 2009 at 11:29 am |
moderation? how apt.
October 20, 2009 at 4:38 pm |
Hi David,
New Zealand’s wildlife faces a nightly battle to survive the onslaught of introduced predators, to the point that many of our animals are threatened with extinction.
Take our national bird for example. In areas where we don’t control pests, 95% of North Island brown kiwi chicks will not survive. However, in areas where we’ve carried out pest control using toxins, we’ve increased survival to more than 60%.
While the recent operation on Rangitoto and Motutapu did drop 147 tonnes of cereal bait containing brodifacoum, most of that was cereal. In total, only 2.9kg of brodifacoum was dropped across 4000 hectares.
Brodifacoum is an approved toxin for pest control in New Zealand. It’s what you get when you buy rat poisons such as Pestoff and Talon at your local supermarket.
The Department of Conservation has used brodifacoum to remove introduced predators from over 60 offshore islands now, including Whenua Hou or Codfish Island, near Stewart Island where the world’s largest and rarest parrot, our very own kakapo live. If it weren’t for pest control in areas like this, wildlife like kakapo, tuatara, kakariki, hihi, would become extinct.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of our protected offshore islands in the last couple of years and the difference in birdsong, bush density, and the bustling and rustling of insects, reptiles, and birds everywhere you look is astounding. Visit places like Kapiti, Tiritiri Matangi (Auckland’s most famous conservation spot, with the endangered takahe striding across the lawn while you eat your lunch, and where brodifacoum was used to rid the pests almost 20 years ago), or Ulva Island (near Stewart Island) for a sense of what happens to our native wildlife when you take the baddies out of the equation.
And just to bring you up to speed with the Rangitoto and Motutapu restoration project – the rat poison drops appear to have cleared all the rodents from the islands and the teams are now focusing on getting rid of the few remaining stoats, cats, hedgehogs and rabbits. Kaka and tui on the islands are looking forward to their first rat-free breeding season and Aucklanders should soon start seeing more of these birds in their own backyards. Very exciting times indeed.
Cheers,
Nic
January 10, 2010 at 4:48 pm |
I read with interest the account of Raoul Island. My Ancestors were the first settlers on this Island and in fact was born on the Island. Thanks for making the Island interesting.
Cheers Val
March 10, 2010 at 6:47 pm |
Kia ora,
I’m one of the traditional owners of Tuhua (Mayor Island).
I’ve started a Facebook Page and wondering if DoC’s have any close-up high quality pictures of either the Kiwi when it was being released or the Orange fronted Parakeet.
johnake@yahoo.com
Wednesday 10th March 2010
March 11, 2010 at 11:28 am |
Kia ora John,
Cheers for visiting. I’ve sent you an email about the photos.
Cheers
Sam O’Leary
DOC Web Team