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Archives For 30/11/1999

Jobs at DOC: Mana Gemmell – Ranger, Visitor Assets

Department of Conservation —  19/07/2013

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 Mana Gemmell, Ranger, Visitor Assets in Opotiki.

Mana and Rooster with a hot drink in the bush near Te Waiti Hut.

Mana, right, and Rooster (former DOC staff member) at Te Waiti Hut in 2009

At work

Name: Irimana (Mana) Gemmell
Position: Ranger, Visitor Assets – Pakihi Cycle track cutter
Office: Opotiki Base

Some things I do in my job include … Improvising, using initiative, lateral thinking with minimal resources, and strategic planning.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by … minimising costs budget wise, and using resources at a minimal cost to DOC.

The best bit about my job is … working unsupervised and independently.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is … spending quality time with my son, passing on the skills I possess, including the above.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is … Pete Livingstone – we have an understanding that stems back some 30 years.

Gisborne/Whakatane DOC staff on their bikes near the Pakihi Track.

Gisborne/Whakatane staff area team ride of the newly formed National Cycleway Pakihi Track

On a personal note

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 … Hone Harawira – Mana Party!

My best ever holiday was … visiting whanau with our son in Wairoa.

My greatest sporting moment was when … my moko won the soccer trophy for outstanding player of the year.

The best piece of news I’ve heard lately is … my other moko passing her mid-term exam and cracking all her units with excellence and merit.

Mana and son Ben on the back of a truck at Tauranga Bridge.

Mana and son Ben after load testing Tauranga Bridge

If I could be any NZ native species I’d be … a tuatara.

My secret indulgence is … got none. Open and above board.

If I wasn’t working at DOC, I’d like to … train as a ranger. I believe I already have the skills, experience and capabilities.

Before working at DOC I … worked with youth and correction referrals, youth justice, and schools.

My favourite quote is … “Aroha ki te tangata”.

Mana and helpers assessing a slip on the Nikau Flat Track.

Mana, Dave Lynn and two volunteers assessing the slip on the Nikau Flat Track

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is … be true to yourself and do well by your fellow man.

In work and life I am motivated by … whanau. To aspire to the best of my abilities in all that I do as an example and role model.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is … our land (Papatuanuku) and the environment is precious. Take care of it. “The land owns us – we don’t own the land”.

Opotiki staff at Rotorua Zip Lining.

Opotiki staff social fun day at Rotorua Zip Lining – Mana on far right

Question of the week

Which actor would you pick to play you in a movie about your life? Bruce Willis or Temuera Morrison. Someone who doesn’t muck around – someone who gets in and gets the job done.

Mana on the phone at the Opitiki Base Office.

What do you mean you want to borrow the Cormidi?

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Jobs at DOC: Oliver Knox – Ranger

Department of Conservation —  28/06/2013

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 Oliver Knox, Visitor and Historic Assets Ranger in the Kauri Coast Area Office.

Oliver Knox on Six Foot Track in the Waima Ranges.

Walking up the Six Foot Track towards Framptons Hut in the Waima Ranges

At work

Some things I do in my job include… track and structure maintenance and inspections, developing signage installations, contract management, fire fighting, and being part of the Strategic Iwi Group for Northland.

The best bit about my job is… working alongside the awesome and passionate people that are involved in conservation, and being able to work outdoors in the New Zealand landscape.

Oliver Knox performing music on his guitar.

Performing at the Aratapu Tavern

The awesomest DOC moment I’ve had so far is… eating fresh smoked snapper for lunch at the batch in Tom Bowling Bay on the North Cape, after spending a week doing inspections around Te Paki and the far north coastline.

The DOC employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… Tony Silbury, who was my inspiring and passionate Programme Manager at the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa, where I spent six months doing predator control after finishing my trainee ranger internship in Gisborne.

Oliver Knox guiding a trail of children on the Maunganui Bluff Track.

Guiding a school group over the Maunganui Bluff Track

On a personal note…

My stomping ground is… Baylys Beach on Northland’s west coast—the longest driveable stretch of beach in New Zealand and home of The Funky Fish.

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… my friend Aaron who is now living in the Mentawai Islands running a restaurant just down the road from Macaroni’s—one of the premier surf breaks Indo has to offer.

My best holiday ever was… touring through Europe and Canada with my acoustic guitar and amp, each week performing in a different place and either couch surfing or staying with friends.

If I could be any native species I would be a… karearea, the New Zealand falcon.

Oliver Knox building box steps on the Waiotemarama loop track.

Building box steps on the Waiotemarama loop track

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is… ‘The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance, and even our very existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives.” Albert Einstein.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… ‘Be true to yourself’.

In work and life I am motivated by… behaving with integrity, compassion, and bringing creativity to life.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… you can make a difference so find out where and how to get involved. Experience the outdoors and discover what New Zealand has to offer. Respect nature and clean up after yourselves.

A photo of the Waitapu Saddle countryside.

The view south looking into the Waitapu Saddle and 2kms of grass track that needed to be cut!

Question of The Week

If you could pick to stay a certain age forever what would it be… 30, because the body is still in good shape, the character has developed to where it is stable, and there is still a touch of youth. Also, at that age you are still eligible for Working Holidays overseas, so you can work and travel forever!

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Jobs at DOC: Glen Currall – Ranger

Department of Conservation —  21/06/2013

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 Glen Curral, Biodiversity/Assets Ranger in Twizel.

Glen Currall on a quad bike while working in the Tasman Valley.

Trapping in the Tasman Valley on a good day. And yes that is a winch on my quad

At work

Some things I do in my job include… trapping cats and mustelids etc. As time allows I get involved with electric fishing, kaki (black stilt) work, and anything else I can help with.

The best bit about my job is… working outdoors with views of Mt Cook, and the variety my role allows.

The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far is… when I was in a hurry to get a block of traps checked ahead of the forecasted snow later that evening and the quad bike became stuck. And when I say stuck I mean it took me five hours of digging to get out. I kept myself motivated with the thought of avoiding the dreaded office shout and the shame that goes with it. What I didn’t know at the time was that my workmate trapping in the next block had got his quad stuck as well, but had to abandon it as there was no way he could dig it out on his own, so had legged it back to the truck. I guess you could say it was just one of those days. The upside was the forecasted snow never came so we were able to winch out his quad the next day.

Rangers holding kaki boxes ready for release.

Kaki release near Lake Tekapo

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… as I haven’t been with the department for that long I am yet to meet this person.

On a personal note…

The song that always cheers me up is… definitely Bob Marley “Three Little Birds”.

My best ever holiday was… recently when my partner Melanie and I travelled to Canada, Austria, Germany, Italy, Denmark, England, France, and for the grand finale, two days at Disney Land, LA. I’m still in that place where you think about it every day and smile. It was such an awesome experience that I can’t wait to travel again.

Glen holding a brown trout by the Lewis River.

A solid Lewis River brown taken on the dry fly

My greatest sporting moment was when… I ran the length of the field side stepping and fending off players to score under the posts in a high school rugby match at the tender age of 14. When I walked off the field at the end of the game, one of the 1st fifteen boys said, “You looked like John Kirwan the way you scored that try”. I was stoked.

Glen changing a GPS tracking collar on a feral cat.

Changing a GPS tracking collar on a feral cat. I play the role of chief cat wrestler, which has it’s share of exciting moments

In my spare time I… have just started down the long road of becoming a “Master bow hunter”. I am now consumed by how many game points I need to gain the next award. I see animals as points (rabbit 2, hare 5). You are probably thinking ‘Is this an illness?’ The short answer is yes. Damn you Rhys Garside! Lol.

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be… a Falcon, without question…. Just think: no boundaries, total freedom. That’s what I’m talking about.

A grizzly bear spotted by Glen.

A grizzly bear we were lucky enough to encounter near Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park. The wildlife for me was the highlight of our time in Canada

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Takahē: Squawking from the tussocks

Department of Conservation —  17/06/2013

By Chris Phillips, Takahe Ranger at Burwood Bush Takahē Rearing Unit

A recent winter blast of heavy snow and rain meant a busy week at the Burwood Bush rearing unit in Te Anau.

Our takahē took it in their stride and were quick to take advantage of the extra takahē pellets we put out for them – irresistible takahē  tucker!

Three takahe munching on pellets.

Takahē tucking into their pellets

The water and snow have now receded uncovering damaged fences, drainways and crossings that all need attention.

Happy families of takahē wander round oblivious to all the stress and strain inflicted upon those who hold the prestigious honour of being their guardians.

A snowy blanket over the takahe rearing unit.

A winter blast paid a visit

Renegade takahē, Wal and George, continue to taunt us with their evasion tactics. We need to catch them so we can put them in quarantine prior to sending them off to their new home at Cape Sanctuary. It has been several weeks and so far our numerous attempts at capturing these wily characters have been unsuccessful.

Takahe ranger working in the snow.

Working hard in the snow and rain

Before each attempt we cunningly plan manoeuvres, pour over possible outcomes and counter moves and develop robust, supposedly takahē-proof strategies. So far though, we have been out witted and invariably left sitting in the tussock on empty transfer boxes weeping whilst Wal and George squawk triumphantly from somewhere safe in their 80 hectare kingdom.

Chris holding a takahe whilst Phil Marsh completes a health check and vaccination.

A health check and vaccination for this takahē

The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor. The takahē was once thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1948. Even today, despite years of conservation effort, the takahē remains critically endangered.

The Department of Conservation Takahē Recovery Programme in partnership with Mitre10 Takahē Rescue is committed to ensuring the survival, growth and security of takahē populations throughout New Zealand.

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Photo of the week: Rowi chick success on Blumine Island

Department of Conservation —  29/05/2013

This week’s photo was shared on Facebook by DOC West Coast. It shows Rein the kiwi dog checking in on Norman and Stealth, two rare rowi kiwi, on Blumine Island/Oruawairua. After years of breeding problems Norman and Stealth have finally become parents to a new kiwi chick.

Rowi breeding success on Blumine Island – we’re stoked about it!

rowi-rare-breeding

The photo was taken by Iain Graham, an Operation Nest Egg Ranger in DOC’s Franz Josef – Waiau Area Office.

To hear the romantic story of Norman and Stealth listen to this report on Radio New Zealand.

Send us your photos

If you have a great, conservation related photo you want to share with the world (or at least the readers of this blog) send it through to us at socialmedia@doc.govt.nz.

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