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 Trudi Ngawhare, Partnerships Ranger, Gisborne…
At work
Me and my partner Bennet at the Auckland Nines
Some things I do in my job include:
Working with the community, events, education, volunteers, community groups, iwi—whenever, wherever… even at netball or while watching rugby.
This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:
The more people that engage with conservation, the more people participate in recreation…
The best bit about my job is:
The passionate people I meet and the cool places and species work DOC people are privileged to be a part of. It’s very, very awesome!
The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:
Seeing the return of tuatara to the East Cape—a translocation project from Ngāti Kōata to Ngāti Porou.
It was a privilege to be part of history and see the return of tuatara to the East Cape area
On a personal note…
Most people don’t know that:
I am a twin, so if you see my lookalike in Hamilton, don’t worry. We are quite accustomed to people carrying on a conversation with us before realising that they may be talking to the wrong sister.
The song that always cheers me up is…
Anything by Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder.
My stomping ground is:
“The promised land” Te Araroa, East Cape!
If I could trade places with any other person for a week it would be…
Beyonce. That way I wouldn’t have to pretend.
My best ever holiday was…
Anywhere with my family, where there is no cellphone coverage and where you don’t have to spend heaps of money, because there are five or more kids to get into everything.
Awesome DOC moment to take my kids along to lift kiwi eggs to be taken to Kiwi encounter
My greatest sporting moment was:
Actually, that I am still playing competitive netball at 36 (nothing seems to recover fast any more). My osteopath shakes her head disapprovingly.
If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:
A kārearea—travel would be cheaper and faster.
My secret indulgence is:
Horoera pumpkins (kina) with a side of sautéed paua off the BBQ.
My first community event dressed as a ‘Paua’
Before working at DOC I was…
A youth career coach working with early school leavers to transition into productive pathways.
I learnt many life lessons, such as talk to your kids from primary level about their interests and possible pathways that stem from them; don’t do everything for your kids, let them suffer a little bit to learn; expose them to different role models, even undesirable ones so that they know where they don’t want to be; and (not the easiest concept to sell to teenagers). STAY IN SCHOOL …everything is free!
Deep and meaningful…
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:
“Get outside and play.”
In work and life I am motivated by:
My whānau.
My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:
Enjoy and learn about our natural heritage, that way we are better equipped to protect what we love.
Question of the week…
I never go anywhere without…
That’s easy… my gumboots, (a Coasties main apparel). If it weren’t for your gumboots where would you be?
