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 Carisse de Beer,  Permissions Advisor – Hamilton Shared Service Centre.

At work

Name: Carisse de Beer
Position: Permissions Advisor
Office: Hamilton Shared Service Centre

Obi Wan, the rescued baby silvereye. That was the first time I’ve ever held a wild bird

Some things I do in my job include…receiving and analysing applications for concessions, writing reports and then making recommendations on those applications. Part of my job also includes liaising and working closely with a wide range of people within the department and externally, solving problems, and ensuring that concessions are processed to set timeframes.

The best bit about my job is… that it gives me the ability to learn new and interesting things about our flora and fauna. I try to learn something new every day.

A favourite pass time – watching birds. I snapped this little hihi at Maungatautari Ecological Island

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is… I haven’t been at DOC for very long (3 months!) but I love having some part to play in conservation, even if I am in an office all day at the moment.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… Don Merton. He was a pioneer in conservation and his work, dedication and enthusiasm for New Zealand’s “national monuments” like the kakapo and kiwi, and the wonderful little black robin, is inspiring. I love telling my friends and family (and any one who will listen) of Old Blue, Old Yellow and Don Merton’s genius in taking a population of only 5 birds and rescuing them from the brink of extinction. He did so much for New Zealand conservation and even today I like to think he continues to do so much through the knowledge we’ve gained from him.

Monarch butterfly

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that I… have an insect collection and a small herbarium. Both were university projects and are my pride and joy.

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… Sir David Attenborough. How amazing would it be to travel the world in my pale blue shirt and khaki slacks, investigating the secret lives of plants and watching the elaborate mating dance of the superb bird of paradise? I grew up watching David Attenborough and, as a child, so much of what I knew and loved about animals came from his documentaries. Now, as an adult, I will still sit at home on a rainy day re-watching Life of Birds. I don’t think it’ll ever get old!

Taking a bad hair day to the next level

In my spare time I… like to go bird watching. I also like to bake and decorate cakes. Cake, in many ways, makes all things better.

Deep and meaningful

My favourite quote is… “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… to never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Adding to my collection

In work and life I am motivated by… passionate people. These are the people that have inspired and motivated me to keep working towards my own goals, even at the worst of times. I love that at DOC, these people seem to be everywhere!

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… to treat every living thing and its home with respect.

One of my creations – a biology-themed cupcake