Otago |

Not your typical thieves in gold-mining era campsites

Department of Conservation — 21/01/2013

New Zealand has an extensive history of gold mining. The principal New Zealand gold fields were Coromandel, Nelson/Marlborough, Central Otago and West Coast. DOC has as many as 1000 gold-mining sites on lands it manages, and some of these are currently used as campsites.

Grant Jacobs the author of the blog, “Code for life”, shares a recent experience he had while on a camping trip at a gold-mining era campsite. He writes*:

“[When] camping in New Zealand, small items left lying around are at risk from thieves. I was reminded of this whilst sitting on the foundation stones of what was once an old gold miner’s hut, the iron remains of the roof and perhaps chimney at my feet, reading a novel with my tent pitched on the other side of the clearing where the thief stalked.”

Tent across the clearing at an old gold mining campsite

“Some of these camping grounds are now, and probably were then, home to indigenous thieves. As I sat on the foundation of the miners hut, my back against a tree, I became aware that one such cheeky thief was prowling my tent on the other side of the little clearing.”

A weka under the outer fly of the tent looking for items to steal

“Those not familiar with weka might think that they would only steal food, but stories say that weka will steal seemingly anything portable that attracts their attention. Of the non-edible objects, lore has it that a bit like the gold miners, they prefer shiny things.”

Weka have a bit of a reputation for pilfering small objects. They will take the objects to the nearest cover to investigate them. For this reason it is best not to chase weka but to simply watch where they go and retrieve the objects a little later.

Because of its scavenging habit, the weka can be problematic for conservationists. Some subspecies are threatened, but moving them to offshore islands can disrupt other threatened wildlife species. For example, weka released onto Codfish Island, where they haven’t lived in recent times, threatened the viability of the Cook’s petrels there and had to be removed.

Make sure you check out Grant’s full blog post.

*All text and photos from the blog “Code for Life” are copyrighted content of Grant Jacobs.

In Camping, Coromandel, Historic, Native animals, Nelson/Marlborough, Otago, West Coast Campsite, Codfish Island, conservation, Cook's petrels, gold mining, Historic, miners hut, Weka

Conservation Champions on the big screen!

Department of Conservation — 19/09/2012

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.

Jobs at DOC: Murray Neilson, Freshwater Ecosystems Officer

Department of Conservation — 15/06/2012

Every Friday Jobs at DOC will take you behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation.

Today we profile Murray Neilson, Technical Support Officer: Freshwater Ecosystems.

At work…

What kind of things do you do in your role?

I’m responsible for overseeing Otago Conservancy’s freshwater programme and its non-migratory galaxiid programme. I also have responsibility for overseeing the conservancy’s wetland protection role. In addition to this I’m the current Non-migratory Galaxiid Recovery Group leader. I spend much of my time advocating for freshwater habitats and species through the RMA process, gathering and presenting evidence to regional council hearings and the Environment Court.

I also represent the Department at stakeholder meetings connected with these processes. In my role as Recovery Group Leader I provide advice to Otago and other conservancies on non-migratory galaxiid protection and monitoring activities, and commission relevant research projects. Occasionally (very occasionally these days!) I get to go out with the Coastal Otago freshwater team and do some actual electric fishing survey work.

Left: In the entrance hall at Shepherdstown U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Training Centre, on an Environmental Flows training course.
Right: One for the pot – hunting at Omaio 2010.

What is the best part about your job?

The great environments it’s been my good fortune to work in (e.g. fisheries surveys in the Otago high country as part of High Country Tenure Review – just magic!), and the many good people it’s been my privilege to work with.

What is the hardest part about your job?

Convincing other agencies of the need to give greater recognition and protection to our unique freshwater species and habitats.Understanding the various complexities of NHMS, species optimisation, priority setting etc., and dealing with the machinations of the DOC bureaucracy.

What led you to your role in DOC?

I was previously a Game Management Officer with the Wildlife Service and was stationed in Dunedin, dealing with gamebird management, wetlands and environmental planning issues from July 1975 until April 1987 when DOC subsumed the service. Prior to that I’d been an Assistant Game Management Officer in Rotorua, and before that, after completing a wildlife traineeship, an Assistant Fauna Conservation Officer working out of Wellington.

Left: Upper Ahuriri Valley. Right: Good trout from the upper Ahuriri River.

What was your highlight from the month just gone?

Pending the opening morning of the game season, duck hunting with my son Sean in the Upper Taieri wetland (quite successfully I might add!).

The rule of three…

Three loves

My family
My pets
Otago Province

Three pet peeves

Terms such as ‘going forward’, ‘change is inevitable’ (perhaps, but is it always for the good?) and other management speak
Tele-marketers
Over-sensitive car alarms

Three foods

Slow roasted Canada goose (you have to try it, believe me!)
Mushroom soup
Porterhouse steak (medium rare)

Three favourite places in New Zealand

Favourite movie, album, book

Movie – A River Runs Through It
Album – The Last Waltz – The Band, and most early Bob Dylan stuff
Book – This one’s hard, I read a lot and love spy thrillers and mysteries, so it’s whatever I’m enjoying at the time. My favourite authors are David Baldacci, Greg Iles, Richard North Patterson, Christopher Reichs, and Lee Child.

Left: Another for the pot – Wilberforce River 2009.
Right: Canoeing with my daughter on Lake Waihola.

Deep and meaningful

“Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you!” For some reason this line, uttered by Kris Kristofferson in the film Convoy, has stuck with me.

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

Never give up (at least without a good fight!).

Who or what inspires you and why?

A still, late summer’s day on a free-running river, and extremely talented individuals.

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

A Wildlife Officer (surprisingly enough!).

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

Retired and relaxed – which I’m shortly to be!

What sustainability tip would you like to pass on?

Forget this electric car stuff (this will eventaully lead to demand for more hydro dams, despite the current hiatus). Eco-diesel is the way to go (made from waste product, of course!).

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

At home (as that’s where I’ll mostly be, in future) – grow more vegetables and make more compost.

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

Our native falcon, kārearea – the combination of speed, agility and fearlessness is irresistable.

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

You only get one good chance at this, so do it right, and look after your freshwater habitats!

In Jobs at DOC, Otago, Wetlands freshwater, galaxiid, Otago, wetland

Takahē helping to build partnerships

Department of Conservation — 31/05/2012

Quammen and Te Hoiere, may be a couple of ‘dud’ takahē when it comes to breeding, but at Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin, they are being hailed as ambassadors for conservation.

Meet Quammen and Te Hoiere. Photo: Paul Nevin.

Mitre 10 Takahē Rescue logo

Their arrival is being celebrated as a great example of what can be achieved by partnerships like the one between the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, DOC, local iwi, and Mitre 10 Takahē Rescue.

The two takahē travelled by boat, car and plane to Dunedin from Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds last Tuesday. Under the watchful eye of media and about 25 invited guests, the birds were released into the Ecosanctuary—a project of the Otago Natural History Trust. Ecosanctuary operations manager Chris Baillie said it had taken a long time and much work to get the birds to the Ecosanctuary, and to see them arrive was like a “dream come true.”

With Mitre 10 (who sponsor the takahē recovery programme) and DOC working together to renew and refresh Mitre 10 Takahē Rescue, national chairman and Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin owner Martin Dippie was keen for his store to get involved with Orokonui Ecosanctuary by supporting it as a new home for takahē.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary map

His store provided materials for a new enclosure, which Mitre 10 staff enthusiastically spent a day helping the Ecosanctuary to build.

“The event at Orokonui went really well with a number of groups working together to give the birds a warm welcome to their new home. It was great to work closely with DOC, Orokonui, and local iwi, further developing our relationships,” said Mr Dippie.”

“At Mitre 10 we’re eager to continue to develop our partnership at a more local level with DOC, and in Dunedin we will further build our relationship with Orokonui to help support Te Hoiere and Quammen in their new home.”

Takahē ranger Martin Genet looks on as Mitre 10’s Martin Dippie and iwi representative Hoata Holmes release the takahē into Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Mr Dippie was on hand to release Quammen into the new enclosure, while Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki iwi representative Hoata Holmes released Te Hoiere. Mitre 10 staff also joined a public event to celebrate the arrival of the takahē into Dunedin on Sunday, providing a marquee and BBQ for fundraising.

Te Anau Area Manager Reg Kemper said the transfer of takahē to Orokonui was a credit to the takahē team, whose focus was on building the national takahē population, creating new sites for takahē, and working in partnership with Mitre 10 to increase the support for takahē conservation.

“This transfer ticks all the boxes,” said Reg. “The team have managed to remove a couple of non-breeding birds from Maud Island, freeing up space for breeding birds. By providing the Ecosanctuary with the takahē, they have created a golden opportunity for more New Zealanders to get up close and appreciate these unique birds; they’re supporting our partners, fostering relationships between our partners and at the end of the day its all increasing support for conservation.”

Learn more

About takahe on the DOC website

Mitre 10 Takahē Rescue partnership on the DOC website

Orokonui Ecosanctuary website

In Islands, Native animals, Nelson/Marlborough, Otago, Partnerships Dunedin, ecosanctuary, endangered species, orokonui, takahe

Jobs at DOC: Visitor and Historic Assets Manager, Bill Wheeler

Department of Conservation — 27/04/2012

Every Friday Jobs at DOC will take you behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation.

Today we profile Bill Wheeler, Programme Manager – Visitor and Historic assets, Coastal Otago.

At work…

What kind of things do you do in your role?

I make sure that everyone has what they need to do a fantastic job looking after the tracks, huts, car parks and, most importantly, the toilets of Coastal Otago. I am a planner, accountant, negotiator, manager, designer, arbitrator, confessor, decision-maker, blame-taker and comic relief.

Very occasionally I put on my Area Compliance Officer’s hat and lock up some smugglers.

Bill Wheeler (left) sitting with Pete Chamberlain (right).

With the late Pete Chamberlain (right) at my first fire as Ops Manager

What is the best part about your job?

The people I work with. However cynical and hard nosed we think we are, there is a passion amongst DOC staff for what they do. It is truly uplifting to see people doing a job they really believe in.

What is the hardest part about your job?

The people I work with. There’s never an occasion when somebody will say “I don’t care”. Sometimes every little thing is a negotiation because the team cares about what they’re doing. When you’re old and tired like me, that can be really hard.

What led you to your role in DOC?

A long, long time ago in a land far, far away I worked as a ranger looking after some really cool bits of the English countryside… but a pestilence fell upon the land and the fair Kiwi princess that I’d married decided that we should pack our spotty hankies and leave for an adventure in far off Aotearoa.

Weeks out of college, the newly minted Ranger Wheeler displays not only an
appalling '80s haircut but also his trademark "scowl for the camera" pose

Or in simple terms, things looked pretty grim in the English Lake District after foot and mouth ravaged the area we lived in, so we emigrated to New Zealand where the Pearson family had for many years been purveyors of fine soaps to the colonists. After 10 years in the UK forest service, DOC seemed like a home away from home.

What was your highlight from the month just gone?

Without a doubt the opening of the Philip Cox Memorial Hut in the Silverpeaks. The hut was funded by the family and friends of the late Philip Cox and the occasion was a real celebration of his life and a fantastic project that was truly a joint venture between DOC and the community. It is awesome to spend time with people who really appreciate our work and who are willing to be active participants in providing a facility for everyone to enjoy; it also shows just what amazing work DOC staff can do against really tight timeframes.