• /
    • Archives /
  • 30/11/1999

Archives For 30/11/1999

Your chance to question DOC staff

 —  19/10/2012

We want to know what you want to know about DOC staff.

If you’re a regular reader of the Conservation Blog you’ll know that we regularly go behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at DOC. If you’re not familiar with them, you can see what all the fuss is about here: Jobs at DOC.

Southland Conservator Barry Hanson in a traditional Scottish costume.

Not the usual DOC uniform, for Southland Conservator Barry Hanson

We’re refreshing the questions and want your input. Do you want to know what their best dance move is? Their earliest childhood memory? What a day in the office entails?

Let us know what you want to know in the comments. There’s a ‘Meet the locals – season 3’ DVD up for grabs for one lucky contributor.

Christine Officer standing on a peak with Lake McKellar in the background.

A day in the office for hut ranger Christine Officer

In Jobs at DOC, Regions , , , ,
permalink

Jobs at DOC: Dan O’Halloran, Ranger – Biodiversity

Department of Conservation —  12/10/2012

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 Dan O’Halloran, Ranger – Biodiversity.

Name:  Dan O’Halloran.

Position: Ranger Biodiversity Bay of Islands Area Office.

Dan getting down and dirty on Mauima.

Getting down and dirty on Mauimua (Lady Alice) a few years back

At work

Possum in a tree.

The possum is public enemy number one!

What kind of things do you do in your role? 

I trap, poison and monitor possums and supervise other staff, contractors, volunteers and commercial operators doing the same. I monitor & supervise our goat programme; assist with species work including snails (flax and kauri) and kiwi; assist with our weed programme and run the Puketi Weedbusters group.

I work with various community and iwi groups and liase with adjoining landowers, especially regarding pest control issues. As an Area Warranted Officer I am mainly involved with hunters and dog issues, as well as vandalism and rubbish dumping. I am a boat skipper, a Rural Fire Officer and staff Health and Safety rep.

What is the best part about your job? 

Two things, the first are those moments when you come across something – a creature or view appears, or you notice plant in fruit or flower – and you know that you would never have got that experience if it weren’t for the job you’re doing. The second is when that happens, along with the realisation, that what you are seeing is a direct result of work done by yourself, your colleagues or our conservation partners.

Four flax snails sitting on a rock under plants.

Flax snails on (the imaginatively named) Snail Rock

What was your highlight from the month just gone?

Seeing how well the pohutukawa are recovering in Pekapeka Bay.

The rule of 3…


3 loves 

  1.  My buddy Viv and all our friends and whanau.
  2. The natural world.
  3. Music.


3 pet peeves

  1. Vandals – why don’t you just get a life.
  2. Rubbish dumpers/litterers – ditto.
  3. Poorly informed people who think they have all the answers regarding pest control.


3 foods

  1. Rice.
  2. Plums.
  3. Dead creatures.

3 favourite places in New Zealand 

  1. The Whangaroa rohe, from Takou to Taemaro it is, like the man said, “a singular and beautifully romantic place”.
  2. Waikouaiti and East Otago, a wonderful place to grow up.
  3. Puketi Omahuta, if you’re talking biodiversity it’s the mother of all ngahere.
View from Whangaroa Harbour.

View from Whangaroa Harbour

Favourite movie , album, book  

  • Album – its a toss up between “Genius” the Warren Zevon greatest hits collection and “Enjoy Every Sandwich” where Dylan, Springsteen, Earle, and The Pixies etc. pay tribute to Zevon’s brillance, with an honourable mention for the Amnesty International  4 CD release “Chimes of Freedom” where 80 artists do Dylan covers. Some pretty amazing stuff, and if you buy it off the website your $40 goes to fighting injustice.
  • Movie – one of the best I’ve seen lately is “Sex & Drugs & Rock’n’Roll”, the Ian Dury biopic starring Andy Serkis.
  • Book – Jared Diamond’s “Guns Germs & Steel” or  Tim Flannery’s “The Future Eaters”.

Deep and meaningful…


What piece of advice would you tell your 18 year old self?

It dosen’t matter, I wouldn’t have taken any notice. At 18 I knew everthing and was totally bulletproof.

Who or what inspires you and why? 

My colleagues who keep on keeping on despite everything that gets thrown at them.

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

A DJ.

And now, if you weren’t working at DOC, what would you want to be? 

A conservation worker for the NZ Native Forests Restoration Trust, Kiwi Foundation, Puketi Forest Trust or some other NGO.

What sustainability tip would you like to pass on? 

Switch things off – it’s that simple.

Which green behaviour would you like to adopt this year—at home? At work? 

Use less paper.

If you could be any New Zealand native species for a day, what would you be and why? 

If that day was 1200 or so years ago, I’d like to be a kauri specifically the giant Te Tangi O Te Tui so I could see what creatures roamed Puketi in its heyday, if thats not a real answer I’ll go for the Kahu because they’re cool (vote for the Kahu in the Forest & Bird poll – closes 10 October).

What piece of advice or message would you want to give to New Zealanders when it comes to conservation? 

People—get out there and do it, it’s not enough to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.

Rata in flower on the Mokau ridge.

One of those moments – rata in flower on the Mokau ridge Puketi Omahuta

Please leave a comment – do you have any pieces of advice or messages that you would give to New Zealanders when it comes to conservation?

In Animal pests, Jobs at DOC, Northland, Regions, Sustainability, Weeds , , , , ,
permalink

Jobs at DOC Jonathan Kearvell, Biodiversity Ranger – Orange-fronted Parakeet

Department of Conservation —  05/10/2012

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 Jonathan Kearvell, Biodiversity Ranger orange-fronted parakeet.

Taking an orange-front out of a mist net and trying not to get my fingers too badly torn!

Taking an orange-front out of a mist net and trying not to get my fingers too badly torn

Name: Jonathan Kearvell

Position: Biodiversity Ranger Orange-fronted Parakeet, Waimakariri Area.

At work…

What kind of things do you do in your role?

My primary role is acting as Team Leader for the Orange-fronted Parakeet team, which entails guiding the breeding season team when searching for and protecting nests, monitoring parakeet numbers and general valley searches. Apart from lots of data entry in the winter I also have a freshwater role, including Mudfish monitoring.

What is the best part of your job?

Easy—working with the best people ever; makes the job a joy. Thanks all.


What is the hardest part about the job?

Working a 10 day away (four at home) roster for seven months of the year, and this for most years since 1995. I’m sure quite a few do this but it sure makes it hard on my long suffering wife.

What led you to your role in DOC?

I simply had to work for DOC, right from the day we emigrated here in 1993; who wouldn’t. So I walked in the door on the first day and asked. So thanks Andy Grant and Ian Hill for giving me my first jobs; volunteering and then some historic inventory research.

John trying to find orange-fronts on Maud Island.

Trying to find orange-fronts on Maud Island

John checking out a parakeet nest.

Checking out a parakeet nest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


What was the highlight from the month just gone?

Hearing that they had spotted an unbanded orange-fronted parakeet on Blumine Island; they were first translocated there 9 months ago and they are breeding; just great.

The rule of three…..

3 loves

  1. My wife
  2. My family
  3. My crazy dog Murphy

3 pet peeves

  1. Litter
  2. Wasting food
  3. Failing to identify yet another parakeet
  4. …and of course wee Kirsty. I know that’s four but she will understand

3 foods

In no particular order:

  1. Homemade coffee cake
  2. Chocolate
  3. Real ale
A photo from John of the hurunui river with mountains in the background.

The south branch of the Hurunui river

3 favourite places in New Zealand

  • The South Branch of the Hurunui (in Lake Sumner Forest Park) will always be special to me and I never tired of going there
  • Mangere Island in the Chathams is also a huge favourite
  • Akaroa, it is just such a cool place

Favourite movie, album, book

  • Movie – just has to be the quirky French comedy ‘Amelie’
  • Album – easily Loreena McKennitt and ‘Nights from the Alhambra’, although Imelda May is a close second these days
  • Book – I first read it 47 years ago; it has to be Lord of the Rings

Deep and meaningful…

What piece of advice would you tell your 18 year old self?
Don’t panic, don’t rush, life will show you the way.

Who or what inspires you?
People like Aung San Suu Kyi; she believes, she has faith.

Electric fishing in Arthur’s Pass National Park, with my super supervisor, Simon Elkington..

Electric fishing in Arthur’s Pass National Park, with my supervisor, Simon Elkington

The trials of working on Mangere Island; and this skua drew blood!

The trials of working on Mangere Island; and this skua drew blood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A soldier in the Royal Marines, but I ended up in the junior TA instead.

And now, if you weren’t working at DOC, what would you want to be?
Either a jump jockey or an archaeologist; and I’ve been one in a wee way.

What sustainability tip would you like to pass on?
Second hand is OK.

Which green behaviour would you like to adopt this year-at home? At work?
Grow even more wonderful vegetables and cycle more often to work, even when it’s raining.

If you could be any New Zealand native species for a day, what would you be and why?
Sorry all but it is going to have to be an orange-fronted parakeet. I want to know what it is like flying really fast through dense vegetation; they are just awesome at it. Especially when a falcon is on their tail!

What piece of advice or message would you want to give to New Zealanders when it comes to conservation?
I quote from Maggie Kuhn; “Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind even if your voice shakes”.

The Orange-fronted Parakeet is a beautiful bird, what is your favourite New Zealand bird species?

In Canterbury, Jobs at DOC, Native animals, Regions , , ,
permalink

Hokitika’s Conservation Week limerick contest

 —  26/09/2012

There once was a limerick contest
Hokitika staff picked out the best
They were displayed on boards
At the Conservation Awards
But one poem was better than the rest

As part of their Conservation Week activities, Inger Perkins and Sue Asplin of the Hokitika Department of Conservation (DOC) team ran ‘The Great Conservation Week Limerick Competition’.

The task was to ‘write a limerick about something you love doing in our great outdoors’. The prize was a helicopter ride for two with Anderson Helicopters, a kiwi crèche experience with a DOC ranger, a daypack, a head torch, Whittakers fair trade chocolate, and an Andris Apse book of scenic photos.

Image of Tyler Bishop, Age 7, the winner of the limerick competition.

Tylar Bishop won the limerick competition

Tylar Bishop, age 7, from Kaniere School won the competition. Here’s his winning limerick:

There was a young kid who liked to go tramping,
As he walked his feet he was stamping.
He kicked all the rocks,
And pulled up his socks,
Then pitched his tent to go camping.

The competition was stiff, with some amazing entries coming forward from local children and adults alike. Below are a few of the good ones. The floor is open for anyone else that wants to have a go, though, sorry, all the chocolate has gone!

Image of a group of children from St Mary's School, Hokitika, reading the limericks of the finalists.

Group of children from St Mary’s School, Hokitika, reading the limericks of the finalists

Limerick contest entries:

There once was a little brown kiwi
Who tried to find his long lost iwi,
When he found the whānau,
They were like “Um, Ah, No!!”
Till they found out his name was Hiwi
Lesha Iraia, Age 12, Karoro School

There once was a fisherman called Ron,
Who was worried the fish were all gone.
Don’t catch too many
Leave some for Lenny
As what will we eat when they’re gone?
Taylor Martyn-Frewin, Age 11, Karoro School

There once was a DOC worker named Ned
Who was a very wise man he said
“Be not overcome with greed
And take only what you need,
Save some for your grandchildren instead”.
Keeley Sexton, Age 11, Karoro School

There once was a botanist called Ambrose
Who would hike up where Edelweiss grows
He saw something new
Then stepped in a poo
His discovery – a Toilet Paper Rose
Megan Norris

Here West of the alps, it is great
With Flora, Fauna, Forests, Glaciers and Lakes,
Whitebait are found,
Marvellous Vistas abound,
Let’s preserve and enjoy our Conservation estate
Jean Adams

I’ve sat back and listened for years
There’s been fighting and protest and tears
If we do what we say
and we say what we do
This planet will last us for years.
Dave Palmer

The Arthur’s Pass kea are such a delight
But feeding these birds is NOT alright!
When they eat the wrong food
They get cheeky and rude
And totally wreck anything that’s in sight!
Sue Asplin

Image of DOC area manager, Ian McClure, selecting finalists - and laughing.

DOC area manager, Ian McClure, selecting finalists – and laughing

In Jobs at DOC, Old Conservation Week posts, West Coast , , , , , ,
permalink

Conservation Champions on the big screen!

Department of Conservation —  19/09/2012
DOC employee and film maker Claudia Babirat.

Claudia Babirat

As part of the Conservation Awards this year, DOC Otago decided to celebrate two major milestones. One – the Department of Conservation turns 25 years old. Two – the amazing contribution the public has made (and is making) to conservation.

We were so inspired by these achievements that we decided to share with them with the rest of the country – the world even! To this end we got documentary filmmaker Claudia Babirat to produce two short videos for the big screen. This is what she has to say:

Ever since I was a little girl, DOC has been like a hero to me. The rangers did amazing things like save wildlife from the brink of extinction, controlled nasty predators, worked as archaeologists. I had a secret dream that one day I too would work for DOC. But wildlife filmmaking and science writing was always my number one passion.

That’s why, when DOC asked me if I wanted to make a couple of films about conservation in Otago (my home province), I jumped at the chance

The first film celebrates the fact that DOC turns 25 years old this year.


One of the things that really impressed me was just how many of the original rangers (i.e. from the establishment in 1987) are still around. They’ve dedicated their lives to conservation, and I think that’s pretty inspirational.

The other thing that struck me was how much of what we take for granted these days, has been the result of DOC’s hard work. For example, popular attractions like the Otago Central Rail Trail, which brings in an estimated $12 million to the province’s communities each year, was actually strongly opposed when its formation was first suggested! We now have conservation parks dedicated to tussock grasslands (as opposed to just forests). Several new species of rare galaxiids (a type of freshwater fish, which includes whitebait) in Otago were discovered as recently as the 1990s. The list goes on.

The second film recognises the fact that it hasn’t just been DOC that has contributed to all of these amazing achievements. In fact, many of them wouldn’t have been possible without the help and dedication of a whole range of people, including passionate individuals and volunteers, community groups, trusts, iwi, local authorities, landowners, and businesses. Each contribute in their own unique way – from fencing off their creek banks to help protect spawning sites for giant kokopu (one of those freshwater galaxiids I mentioned), to building and maintaining predator-proof sanctuaries, to providing sponsorship for long-term protection of precious wildlife such as the jewelled gecko and the takahe.


Producing the second film gave me a lot of hope for New Zealand’s future There are so many people out there who are passionate about conservation in New Zealand, and we can all make a difference.

In fact, I was so inspired that I made my child-hood dream a reality. I now work for DOC Otago as Community Outreach Coordinator – a brand new position aimed at helping more communities take part in conservation and enjoy all the things that make New Zealand the beautiful place it is.

In Historic, Jobs at DOC, National parks, Otago, Recreation, Volunteers , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
permalink