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Archives For 30/11/1999

Jobs at DOC: Trudi Ngawhare, Partnerships Ranger

Department of Conservation —  16/05/2014

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

Trudi and partner Bennet at the Auckland Nines.

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.

Trudi with tuatara being returned to the East Cape.

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.

Trudi with her kids at kiwi egg operation.

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.

Trudi dressed as a paua for a community event.

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?

In East Coast, Jobs at DOC , , , , ,
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A tribute to Tiki the conservation dog

Department of Conservation —  24/03/2014

By Trudi Ngawhare, Partnerships Ranger, Gisborne

Tiki the conservation dog.

Tiki the conservation dog

Recently, we lost a “totara” for conservation.

Tiki the conservation dog passed away at the prime age of 11 (human) years.

Tiki was based at Motu, in the Gisborne region, with Ranger Joe Waikari and whānau.

He was a small Border Terrier cross who specialised in detecting mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets).

Ranger Joe Waikari describes Tiki as an “energizer battery, he never went flat”.

More travelled than most humans, Tiki’s work would take him (and Joe) all over the country: island work; in the back country… anywhere where extensive pest control programmes were in place, to ensure mustelid populations were gone from the area.

Tiki the conservation dog on a DOC boat.

Tiki heading to Mokoia Island, Rotorua

Tiki, was part of the Conservation Dog Programme. These detection dogs are trained to locate specific target species—either protected or predator. This helps the handler to capture and monitor protected species, or eradicate the pest species through trapping, poisoning or shooting.

Joe says the highlight in working with Tiki has been “doing our part in protecting our endangered species”.

Tiki was also a public relations specialist, winning over the crowds with his unassuming charm. He attended A&P shows and school talks, and he was a great advocate for conservation efforts with many children declaring that they wanted to go home to teach their dogs to be like Tiki.

Joe and Tiki doing training.

Joe and Tiki entertaining a crowd

Also a valued whānau member, Tiki was the champion in the small dogs category at the Matawai School Pet Day a couple of years running.

Tiki is a tribute to all conservation dogs that quietly go about their work (for cuddles and food), making huge gains for conservation.

He whakamaumahara ki a ‘Tiki’, he kuri o te papa atawhai. Moe mai e hoa, moe mai. A tribute to Tiki, the conservation dog. Rest easy friend, rest easy.

Watch this video tribute to Tiki but be careful of ‘dust getting in your eyes’:

In Animal pests, East Coast, Jobs at DOC , , , , , , , , ,
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Jobs at DOC: Roland Pomana, Business Analyst

Department of Conservation —  27/12/2013

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 Roland Pomana, Business Analyst for DOC based in Gisborne.

Roland standing beside the Tame Horomona-Rehe memorial statue on the Chatham Islands.

Roland with Tame Horomona-Rehe memorial statue on the Chatham Islands

At work

Some things I do in my job include…telling the Nga Whenua Rahui story. Simply sharing the story of an organisation that had the humblest of beginnings, to reach out and hopefully inspire other communities and indigenous cultures to try to achieve the same.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by…strengthening and supporting communities to take ownership of conservation issues.

The best bit about my job is…the people I work with, followed closely by some of the people I get to meet and the places I get to see.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is…watching the Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao Cadets strut their stuff at the Asia Pacific ESRI User Conference 2012.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… Mike Mohi. If you want to know why then simply meet the man – it will be clearly obvious after five minutes.

A massive crayfish sitting on a roasting dish.

Yep that is a full size roasting dish that it’s sitting in

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that I… also have a second job; it’s “Assistant Manager” to five children.…Oh yeah, and I have a massive, massive…(did I say massive) love of seafood.

The song that always cheers me up is… oh my God, there’s so many, but first would have to be I Need Your Love – Golden Harvest…the guitar mastery of the Kaukau boys, it’s just a timeless piece of NZ music history.

Second is Bennie and the Jets – Elton John, something about the lyric “She’s got electric boots, a mohair suit” just makes me laugh and then finally Beck Reimagines David Bowie’s “Sound and Vision”, it’s just such an awesome arrangement of a classic.

Go on, take some time and click on the links… hopefully they cheer you up as well.

If I could trade places with any other person for a week—famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional—it would be… Han Solo, and just spend the whole week trying to do the Kessel Run in less than “10” parsecs.

In my spare time I… usually…hang on, what spare time!

My secret indulgence is… spending time with my four year old son, Cohen. How often do you get to be a hunter, a pirate, a ninja, a zombie and a hero…all before lunchtime.

Roland's son Cohen sitting with his dog Shade.

Roland’s son Cohen with his dog Shade

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is… “To know a thing well, know its limits. Only when pushed beyond its tolerances will true nature be seen” – The Amtal Rule

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… firstly, from my father “Work hard, be good to your mum,” and then more recently from Jack Dangermond “It’s clear you are trying to make a difference, why don’t you strive to make it a big one?”

In work and life I am motivated by… my family, especially our children and their childish unbridled enthusiasm for just about everything…except cauliflower and broccoli.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… don’t think conservation is easy, don’t think you can do it on your own and don’t think it will happen quickly.

Roland's daughters sitting on a truck during an early morning pig hunt.

Roland’s daughters on an early morning pig hunt

Question of the week…

You have been granted a magical wish to bring back an extinct species, what would it be and why?’ (hmmm, and where would you put it!) Nothing. We need to accept the past, learn from it and move forward. Even magic can’t undo or put right the wrongs we have done.

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Tairawhiti recognises young volunteers

Department of Conservation —  19/06/2012

17-23 June is Volunteer Awareness Week, so it’s a great time to acknowledge the invaluable contribution volunteers make to conservation in New Zealand.

Today we profile an amazing young volunteer, Antonio Barbarich-Waikari (Antz), who has been helping out with conservation since he was “knee high to a grass hopper”…

Volunteer Antonio Barbarich-Waikari (Antz)

Youth Week was launched in Gisborne on 19 May with the 2012 Youth Awards for Volunteering.

Tributes were paid to 24 young leaders who give their time and energy freely. Gisborne Volunteer Centre manager Jenny Greaves said the teenagers, through volunteering, displayed values that contributed to the well-being of the community.

Antz (far left) with Youth Volunteer Award 2012 recipients

Young-at-heart television personality Te Hamua Nikora presented the awards with Mayor Meng Foon to deserving recipients at the “well to do” Quality Hotel Emerald.

Acknowledged within this prestigious group was DOC and Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust (WECT) volunteer Antonio Barbarich-Waikari (Antz).

Antz has been helping out with conservation since he was “knee high to a grass hopper!” says nominator and Community Relations Ranger Trudi Ngawhare.

A handful of weka

Antz has assisted many times with kiwi and weka listening and kiwi monitoring which occur usually during late hours. He has traversed steep, rocky and damp terrain to check stoat trap lines, transmit and process weka, place out Sentinel possum traps, monitor residual trap catch possum lines, and service cat and stoat traps.

Kiwi monitoring

He has helped with feeding kiwi chicks and has attended tree plantings with the Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust (WECT) in the Motu Kiwi Enclosure. He has spent time with DOC scrub barring at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, and has helped with track maintenance at Gray’s Bush Scenic Reserve, as well as giving up a week during the Christmas holidays to help with track maintenance on Moutohora (Whale Island) in Whakatane. 

Trapping ferrets

Even though Antz is only 16, acknowledgement for this long time volunteer is long overdue.

Antz with Mayor Meng Foon

Nga mihi kia a koe Antz!

Learn more

Volunteer, join or start a project

17-23 June is Volunteer Awareness Week

In Volunteers , , , , , , ,
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Recreation, relaxation, and Rhythm and Vines

 —  21/12/2011

The drive

On the road again...

New Zealand music festivals and summer; it’s hard to imagine one without the other. Once Christmas is over, kiwi boys and girls across the country will be packing their perfect summer outfits, discussing music and snack options, and double checking they’ve got their tickets before heading to various festival locations to bring in the New Year. Whether they’re On the road again, going on their first Roady, or just enjoying The Ride, music lovers will use this time to plan, prepare for, and analyse what will be happening over the course of their summer holiday.

Here are some insider suggestions for those looking to dilute the sometimes heady mix of New Year vino and vibes with something more soothing for the soul.

Just what the doctor ordered...

Getting to Gizzy is not an easy journey. It can be a long, hot drive so stopping for breaks is important. If you’re coming from Napier, grab an ice-cream in Nuhaka and stop at the near-by Morere Hot Springs Reserve (about 40 minutes before Gisborne). Along with a relaxing spa, you can take a 20 minute shaded bush walk through the nikau palms, get your palm read, or buy a $3 healing stone necklace. Bargain! If you’re coming from Opotiki, the Waioeka Gorge has seven stops along the way, with an historical story at each. Make sure you pull over at the Monument swimming hole—it’s a lifesaver when the East Coast sun starts cranking up.

Cooks Cove Walkway

Idyllic

If Gisborne’s feeling a little crowded and you’re looking for a break, pack a picnic, a good sunhat and your togs and drive around the coast to Tologa Bay and the Cooks Cove Walkway. This track goes through farm land and is easy to complete, while still being a decent workout. From the top, the surrounding water is an electric dream blue and shines so bright, and once you reach the bottom you can swim, eat and play in the beautiful Cooks Cove bay.

When you get back to the car, you’ll be ready for another swim and an icecream; luckily, both the dairy and the Tolaga Bay wharf (which is super-fun to jump off) are just around the corner.

Makaretu Scenic Reserve (Rere rock slide and the Champagne pools)

Good old fashioned fun on the Rere rockslide

Often referred to as one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets, the Rere falls are both beautiful and entertaining. They are 50 kilometres out of Gisborne, on the Wharekopae road. You’ll need a boogie board, a rubber tube or something sturdy and inflatable. This natural waterslide is for the brave; you may need to mentally project positive all day to prepare, but after you’ve been down once, you’ll be running back up to the top again and again. If you’re feeling “blasé blasé from last night’s party”, then further down the road are the more tranquil Champagne pools. These are sun-heated, naturally formed rock pools that are perfect for relaxing and swimming in.

The Okitu Scenic Reserve Track and hill

Keep on pushing till you reach the top

Okitu Hill is one of the best places in Gizzy to watch the sunrise from. If you want to head away from town’s main beach, hit State Highway 35 for five minutes until you reach Okitu just past Wainui. There’s parking at the end of Moana Road. The climb to the top is sharp but short—the view is amazing, the kind that reminds you it’s a brand new day today. Over the road, the Reserve has a little track that takes you through a nice 20–30 minute walk in a bush that was developed especially to teach kiddies about bio-diversity and conservation. After that, take a ‘Wainui shower’ and cool off in the sea. This beach is best before the breeze arrives around midday.

Extend the holiday

Stopping for a scenic break on the Waikaremoana Great Walk

For those that plan on making a ‘do more exercise’ resolution, why not add a few days to the trip and do the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. This takes three days, with five huts and campgrounds (complete with hot showers) along the way. While walking, you can catch up on all the New Years Eve gossip and unwind together, taking in the clean, clear, crisp scenery.

A pearler

If you’re after some relaxation and a great sunbathing spot, the Anaura Bay campground is like an endless summer haze. At only $15 a night, this place is a treat. You can even bring your dog.

In East Coast, Recreation, Walking/hiking/tramping , , , , , , ,
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