DOC recognises that the mission of protecting the Earth’s unique biodiversity is a challenge faced by all nations. Collaboration between agencies in different countries is one way of exchanging experience and information.
As part of DOC’s international outreach, formal staff exchange programmes have been negotiated between DOC and:
- Argentina - Administracion de Parques Nacionales
- Italy - Ministry of Environment and Land Protection
- Korea - National Parks Authority
Informal exchanges have also taken place with agencies from:
Australia, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States.
DOC has a Statement of Intent which requires:
- “People with the capability to perform in a complex environment, to adapt to change and engage others."
- that "The department will learn to respond in more sophisticated ways to the changing demographics in NZ society and will contribute to global environment initiatives”;
- and that "The department will work with people from diverse nations … who have diverse ways of thinking and backgrounds."
In order to monitor and align all exchanges with our Strategic Direction, most exchanges are performance based, with individuals being carefully selected to add value and input to both the home and host organisation.
The major focus for any exchange is to give both organisations the opportunity to engage in closer environmental relationships at Government or local level, with a specific goal, target or educational benefit for both.
An exchange process for DOC staff can provide New Zealand with an accelerated learning, development and resource opportunity, and a longer term relationship to address global environmental and conservation issues.
Interested?
Any country’s Conservation or Environmental organisation that would like to arrange a short term exchange with DOC staff, should send enquiries to The General Manager, People and Organisational Development, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand, or to the Conservancy office that is of primary interest.
Requests for longer-term formal relationships for co-operative activities, should be addressed to the Manager International Relations, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand.
Important considerations:
- Participants must meet ALL immigration service requirements for visitor’s entry.
- The host agency will not normally meet costs associated with the exchange.
- New Zealand Accident Compensation covers treatment for injuries sustained in New Zealand but private medical insurance is necessary for payment of treatment for other health matters.
- The host agency must provide project specifications or job placement specifications to assist in the selection of a suitable applicant.
- The individual must provide:
- Regular performance reviews
- Regular debriefs
- Regular contact with host manager
- Follow up to ensure learnings are communicated across both organisations and formally documented.
“My experience at DOC can be summed up as a pleasurable challenge. The pleasures have been working with enthusiastic and welcoming colleagues and knowing that my work may make a difference to the way New Zealand's beautiful scenic resources are conserved and enjoyed. The challenges were mastering an entirely new legislative regime, a new agency's ways of working and organising the practical arrangements. I have developed expertise in new areas which will stand me in good stead in the future and have enjoyed applying my government legal skills to DOC legal work”.
Catharine Byrne (UK barrister, 6 month secondment with DOC’s legal team)
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