Ranger Jim Staton is passionate about the restoration and presentation of New Zealand’s heritage because once it’s eroded or lost, it’s gone for good.
Continue Reading...Archives For 30/11/1999
Historic Advisor Neville Ritchie tells us the story behind Bog Inn Hut, in Pureora Forest.
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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 DOC ranger Andrew Blanshard, based in the Bay of Islands.
At work
Some things I do in my job include… I’m an archaeologist, historic assets project manager, boat skipper/manager, rodent dog handler, as well as looking after GIS, island biosecurity, rural fire and marine mammal disentanglement.
Andrew in his hole, excavating at Marsden Cross
This helps achieve DOC’s vision by helping to protect our historic heritage so that it will still be there for the next generation to appreciate and learn from. I help to keep our islands and special places pest free so that our unique wildlife can flourish.
The best bit about my job is managing, protecting and promoting some of the country’s most significant historic and archaeological sites. Also, working with my rodent dog on offshore islands with only the birds for company and getting out on the beautiful waters of Pewhairangi (Bay of Islands).
The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is…It’s hard to narrow down to one. They include seeing the Cape Brett Lighthouse with her new coat of paint; finding the remains of New Zealand’s first Government house at Okiato; helping excavate New Zealand’s first school at Marsden Cross; spending 12 days on Kapiti with my Rodent Dog ‘Tike’ and getting to know this wonderful Island a bit better.
My rodent dog ‘Tike’ getting a view of orca
On a personal note
If I could trade places with any other person for a week it would be a crewman on Captain Cook’s voyages. I would love to see what the Pacific looked like before European Influences.
My best ever holiday was a working holiday sailing to 80 degrees north above Svalbard (Norway).
Looking a bit grubby after 6 weeks in the field
In my spare time I am involved in ongoing archaeological projects in Mongolia and Colorado.
If I wasn’t working at DOC, I’d like to be floating around the Pacific on a boat or being a ski bum…
Before working at DOC I was an archaeologist, driving instructor, kitchen designer and salesman.
The excavation crew just after uncovering New Zealand’s first Government House
Deep and meaningful
My favourite quote is “Give out, don’t give up!”
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is You have two ears and one mouth therefore listen twice as much as you talk!! (a hard one for me!!)
Learning how to disentangle large marine mammals.
In work and life I am motivated by sharing my passion for Aotearoa/New Zealand’s unique and varied history.
My conservation advice to New Zealanders is before going on an OE, make sure you have seen the beauties of your own country! Once you realise how special it is, GET INVOLVED with one of the brilliant conservation focused community groups/projects that we are lucky enough to have in abundance.
In red rock canyon country: Paradox Valley, Colorado.
Question of the week…
What was your favourite childhood toy and do you still have it?
A little Snoopy stuffed toy, which yes, is still with me in the garage.
Arthur’s Pass recently celebrated 150 years since the European opening of the route that linked the east coast to the gold fields in the west.
The official opening the new Arthur’s Pass Walking Track was one of the events that marked the occasion.
DOC Ranger Tom Williams, writes:
DOC Director-General, Lou Sanson, speaking at the official opening of the Arthur’s Pass Walking Track
150 years ago today (or thereabouts), in a time when an ‘epic’ was just a part of everyday life, the Dobson brothers stumbled across a pass linking the east coast to the gold fields in the west. That pass was Arthur’s Pass.
Legend has it that Arthur’s Pass isn’t named after Arthur Dudley Dobson as such, but rather that someone remarked that Arthur’s pass was the most suitable pass for direct travel to the west.
The name stuck, and Arthur’s Pass became one of only two places in New Zealand to have an apostrophe! (The other is Hawke’s Bay.)
Celebrations of this feat of discovery occurred over the weekend and resulted in the population of the pass swelling by over 400%.
Cutting the ribbon! Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams, and Zeb Patterson (the great, great, great, grandson of Arthur Dudley Dobson), open the Arthur’s Pass Walking Track
Festivities commenced on the Friday night with the unveiling of a bronze kea statue. As we unveiled the taonga, a member of the audience did a sterling haka, and a real kea flew over us.
Arthur’s Pass is one of the best places in New Zealand to see these amazing birds.
Arthur’s Pass is one of the best places in New Zealand to see kea.
In typical Arthur’s Pass fashion, the main attraction—the official opening of the Arthur’s Pass walking track—was accompanied by clear skies and warm weather.
The creation of the new track, however, was no easy feat. DOC staff, and the contractors constructing the track, had to cope with the extremes of local weather.
So far the track has coped with many deluges of rain, gale force winds, blistering sun, a minus 17 degree frost, and a 2 metre snow dump!
Many people took the opportunity to take a guided walk of the track and discover some of the magical flora and fauna of the pass
For those travelling to other places through the Pass, the route travelled has changed significantly from what it was 150 years ago.
Back then the journey took a long time. Once the coach road was constructed (can you believe that they managed to build the road from east to west in one year!) the journey was reduced to four days. Today it is a pleasant two hours to Christchurch, or one hour to the West Coast.
Discover the heritage and fantastic scenery of the Arthur’s Pass walking track yourself. Further information and directions can be found on the DOC website.
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 Shane Hatwell, Services Ranger (Recreation/ Historic) in DOC’s Wellington District Office.
On Matiu/ Somes Island with Keith Dyett
At work
Some things I do in my job… recently, I’ve mainly on Capital Projects. Replacing Kime Hut in the Tararua Ranges and an infrastructure project on Kapiti Island – a replacement wastewater system, new track, new toilet block and shelter upgrade. I also help out when I can with field operations.
This helps achieve DOC’s vision by… helping to improve the visitor experience; enabling people to get out and enjoy our amazing country safely and in relative comfort.
The best bit about my job is… the amazing people I work with every day. They’re all dedicated, committed and do great work. Also, getting out into the field and working in some stunning places.
The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far is… listening to two grown men coming down the East Whakanui Track (Orongorongo Valley) using a bic lighter to see with. No names shall be mentioned, having left their run down too late they were caught out with no torch and their only light being a lighter. That is until one of them burnt his fingers and dropped the lighter, then the cursing and squabbling began. It took almost an hour for them to walk the final couple of hundred metres. It’s one of those had-to-be-there moments but very funny when you’re in the river bed listening.
The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… Keith Dyett. He always has a smile, is dedicated to the work he does and would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He has turned out some top work in the Catchpool/Orongorongo Valleys over the year. If you’re ever in the valley listen out and you may hear him singing one of his many songs, “Seven Spanish Angels” or “God Made Little Green Apples” come to mind. Keith is an all round top bloke.
Why we do what we do – New Zealand’s special wildlife and places. A takahē on Mana Island
On a personal note…
My best ever holiday was… spending six months back packing and hitch-hiking through Ireland, Scotland and parts of Western Europe. Not booking anything and just seeing where the day took me. The hitch-hiking through Ireland and Scotland was in the middle of winter, which resulted in some long cold hours on the side of the road. It also resulted in meeting some really nice people, a full on snowball fight with some kids on the outskirts of Donegal, and an interesting couple of hours in a large truck and trailer unit on a narrow lane and a half tar-seal road barely wide enough for two cars to pass.
My greatest sporting moment was when… my name appeared at seventeenth on a national ranking list for squash. That same year I finished just outside the top twenty at the National Champs.
The best piece of news I’ve heard lately is… we’d like to offer you the Works Officer role in Te Anau, followed rapidly by my partner Wendy saying that she’d been offered a Partnerships role also in Te Anau.
My secret indulgence is… boutique brewery beers and single malt whisky. More often than not they are indulged in that order.
Before working at DOC I… spent twenty years working as a silviculture contractor in both Marlborough and South Otago. Three years working for the Forest Service based in Renwick and seventeen years as a self employed contractor. Saw some amazing country, met some interesting and colourful people and had a lot of laughs.
Who’s a clever seal? (United Kingdom, 2010)
Deep and meaningful…
My favourite quote is… “Every day above ground is a good day”. I think it’s from the movie ‘Scarface’.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… I’ve been given lots of advice over the years, a lot of it unprintable. The best bit being, ‘to give it a go and to back myself’.
In work and life I am motivated by… those people who dedicate long hours to their cause, whether it be sport administrators or the many volunteers that help us do what we do.
A great place to be – Papatahi Hut, Orongorongo Valley
My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… get involved; there are many amazing groups and individuals out there engaging in conservation. Make yourself known and get involved.
Question of the week…
What do you think are the top three inventions in human history? Micro breweries, single malt whisky and international travel. All three work well together, it’s always a good day out with friends whether you’re visiting a brewery, having a relaxing afternoon in the sun at a vineyard or calling into a distillery for a tasting.
Mother and son looking across to Stephens Island from D’Urville Island
