40 years working for the environment

Jaap van Dorsser has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to maintaining and growing native bush in the past 40 years. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's Jaap van Dorsser has spent many hours on his hands and knees cleaning up other people's rubbish.

Mr van Dorsser has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to maintaining and growing native bush during the past 40 years and supporting clean waterways. For his dedication he has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his services to the environment.

"I think it's a nice recognition for what I've done, which is my passion. You don't do these things just to be recognised, it's just, you feel it's a good thing to do, so you do it."

He has overseen and taken part in the planting and regeneration of native trees all around Rotorua, and is well-respected nationally and internationally as an expert and teacher in forestry and planting methods.

His work planting, clearing stream areas, and removing noxious weeds and rubbish has made a significant difference to the community and to the environment.

He has led many projects, sharing his skills and enthusiasm to achieve the successful regeneration of huge areas of native bush around the region, transforming the Ngongotaha, Hamurana and Awahou streams, Lake Rerewhakaaitu, the Horohoro region, and many of the Te Arawa iwi rivers.

Mr van Dorsser said he had probably planted about 40,000 to 50,000 trees in the area with the help of his wife Sue van Dorsser, who he said had been a great support.

"When Jaap started here everyone said it was impossible to do, but Jaap proved them wrong," Mrs van Dorsser said.

He works closely with regional and local councils and iwi as part of Progress Ngongotaha and the Awahou Stream Care group.