Local DoC staff excited for future after 30 years of conservation

Department of Conservation employees Dave Field, Jeff Milham and John Heaphy at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Photo/Stephen Parker

As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, the Department of Conservation is looking to the future citing community-led conservation as a main focus.

Department of Conservation Tauranga and Rotorua operations manager Jeff Milham said a morning tea was held this morning at the Rotorua office, with some of the 45 staff members from the Tauranga and Rotorua district, and past leaders attending.

"We wanted to focus and reflect back...it was a time of storytelling and celebrating [their] adventures," Mr Milham said.

There was laughter too, with one staff member bringing in a uniform from 30 years ago, which included blue Stubbies shorts.

A planned working bee up Mt Tarawera had to be postponed due to the weather, with staff taking a tour of Rainbow Springs instead.

"We had a great alternative...but we'll get up [Mt Tarawera] in the spring or summer."

Mr Milham said the morning tea also acknowledged the seven members of staff who had worked for the department since its inception.

One such person was Maurice Wilke, a member of the biodiversity team.

"There seems to be a lot more time spent on paperwork compared to 30 years ago but the passion from the community hasn't gone anywhere.

"I was part of the department when community groups like the Kaharoa Kokako Trust were being established. The trust and other groups have achieved amazing things over the years however, it can be a struggle for groups like these to encourage new recruits to carry the work on."

Mr Milham said there were many conservation projects in the works.

"We have an opportunity going forward working with tangata whenua, with us supporting tangata whenua aspirations, and helping improve the natural environment."

One such example, in its infancy, was a Maori-led project in the Tarawera catchment, working with Ngati Tuhourangi and Ngati Rangitihi as well as different Maori entities, Mr Milham said.

Another project was working on the protection of, and growth, of kokako in the district.

Within the Rotorua and Tauranga district, the department manages seven conservation campsites, more than 40 tracks and trails and many pieces of conservation land for public enjoyment.