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 Carolyn Hawe, Training Analyst, Wellington.
Coast to Coast with my support crew
At work
Some things I do in my job: I am developing training for an upgrade to the software on the dataloggers that the rangers use in the field. I recently surveyed a number of rangers and Area Asset Planners on their current datalogger use and how they would like the training to take shape.
This helps achieve DOC’s vision by… when the rangers record their work on the datalogger we have an accurate record of the work that is carried out and can assure the government and the public that the visitor assets are maintained to a good condition and provide safe recreation experiences.
The best bit about my job is… definitely the people that I get to work with. They are so open and committed and keen to co-operate to achieve the best outcomes .
The loveliest DOC moment I’ve had so far… I am very new to the organisation, so as part of getting to know DOC I had the opportunity to spend a day with Moira Lee and Tony Whittle in Opotoki. These rangers were so keen to show me their local reserves and were so willing to share their knowledge with me.
The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me the most is… Lisa Whittle, the Capability Development Manager. She inspires me in the way she works with others. She is so enthusiastic about the work that she does and is determined that any training we do meets the need of the target group. She loves meeting and visiting staff from outside National Office and her passion always shows through in the questions she asks.
Me with my little dog Henryk at PekaPeka beach
On a personal note…
Most people don’t know that… when I was teaching at UCOL I had the pleasure of accompanying the ecology teacher Dave Havell (now working at DOC) on field trips, doing bird counts, identifying trees and spotting bats in Pureora Forest. I also got to teach a paper on outdoor recreation philosophy – probably one of my all time favourite teaching experiences!
My stomping ground is… Hemi Matenga Reserve as I live less than 100 metres from the track start. My little border terrier absolutely loves a romp to the top and back and it keeps my fitness up too!
My best ever holiday was… six weeks in South America spent mostly in Bolivia. We had clear blue skies almost every day and the temperature varied from -20C at night to +20 during the day. The landscape was incredible – coloured lakes – red and yellow framed by mountains covered in snow and flamingos feeding around the edges. The altitude has an effect on everything – we flew over the Andes in a 10 seater plane and the pilot had to loop around to get enough height to get over. He also leaned over to ask me if I wanted some oxygen! Bolivia on the other side of the Andes has thick jungle and tributary rivers that run into the Amazon – recently flooded and red in colour when we travelled upstream to an eco lodge. We also cycled down the world’s most dangerous road – 64km downhill starting in snow and dropping 3600m in altitude to the jungle! We even met the human traffic light – a guy who lives on the road after losing his family down the incredibly steep cliff.
My greatest sporting moments were… completing my first Coast to Coast in 2006; and getting to the quarter finals of the NZ Golf Champs only to be beaten by a young Korean girl who now plays on the LPGA tour.
Before working at DOC I… Worked for a small company doing instructional design and recently developed a sustainability course for school students which made me so much more aware of the impacts that humans have on our environment.
Rangitikei River race
Deep and meaningful…
My favourite quote is… ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… to be yourself and follow your passion.
In work and life I am motivated by… working for others, to provide them with something better than what they had imagined or to set a good example for others to follow.
My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… get out and enjoy our special land and when you feel the love then you will want to do your little bit to preserve it!
Worlds most dangerous road – La Paz to Coroico, Bolivia (left) Sajama, the highest mountain in Bolivia (right)
Question of the week…
What NZ bird most reflects you and why? I think a pukeko. I can be quiet and shy at times but when my confidence is up I can be quite noisy. I am also quite inquisitive too, I often explore tracks or roads that I haven’t been on and try new activities to keep life interesting.
