Meet the toutouwai team
Here are some of the dedicated people making this project happen:
Rob Chappell
Rob Chappell
Your official DOC role/title: Ranger Biodiversity - Hauraki Islands
Years you’ve worked in DOC: Since the birth of DOC April 1987 - 22 years, NZ Wildlife Service prior to that.
Rough outline of your role: Day to day management of species and predators on Hauraki Islands; management of Waikato Conservancy boats/training; member of National Island Biosecurity audit team; National Reptile Recovery Group; National Oiled response team.
Best thing about your role: Working with the remnant New Zealand indigenous species to retain some of our history for future generations.
How did you get involved in this translocation? I was asked as I had my banding permit along with small bird handling experience.
What’s excited you about the translocation? Success of robin translocation will justify years of predator management and highlight the way the forest ecosystem (from canopy to invertebrates) has recovered through this work. The robin translocation is another step in the recovery process.
Wendy Davies
Wendy Davies
Your official DOC role/title: Ranger Biodiversity Assets/RMA - Hauraki Area. Project Manager for the Moehau Translocation Project - Toutouwai, Robin’s return.
Years you’ve worked in DOC: 5 ½ years
Rough outline of your role: I work on a few specific projects - Archey’s frogs, threatened plants, freshwater fish, RMA as well as helping others within the Biodiversity team.
Best thing about your role: The variety means I never stop learning. The amazing places I get to work.
How did you get involved in this translocation? I was interested in working on it - right place, right time.
What’s excited you about the translocation? It’s the result of years of predator control work and this is the chance to implement a vision that’s being held by many for a long time.
Steve Bolton
Steve Bolton
Your official DOC role/title: Programme Manager Biodiversity Threats, Hauraki Area
Years you’ve worked in DOC: Since 1987 - before that with the NZ Forest Service
Rough outline of your role: Possum and rat control, Fencing, Fire
Best thing about your role: Being in a job that gets me out in the great environment NZ has to offer.
How did you get involved in this translocation? As part of the cycle to restore Moehau - you know that whole thing, predator control, reintroductions.
What’s excited you about the translocation? Seeing birds back on the mountain - and not just robins. In the future, it would be great to see kokako.
Letticia Williams
Letticia Williams
Your official Moehau Environment Group (MEG) role/title: Chairperson
Years you’ve worked in MEG: Since 2001
Rough outline of your role: Facilitating MEG and it’s activities, as well as being the volunteer co-ordinator.
Best thing about your role: Sharing my passion for the environment, and sharing what we do with others.
How did you get involved in this translocation? I volunteered myself! No seriously, it’s been the vision that MEG has held since it started the rat control programme years ago.
What’s excited you about the translocation? (Much laughter) The involvement of everyone - the guys who have done the hard yards on the hill, to the local farmers - Terry with his buggered knees - and the knowledge this release means they are going to get some reward back.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Your official DOC role/title: Ranger Biodiversity Threats.
Years you’ve worked in DOC: 13 years.
Rough outline of your role: Plan and implement pest control projects (mainly on Moehau).
Best thing about your role: Protecting native fauna and flora.
How did you get involved in this translocation? One of the goals we set ourselves if we were successful with our pest control.
What’s excited you about the translocation? The prize for achieving successful pest control.
Joy Mickleson
Joy Mickleson
Your official DOC role/title: Programme Manager Community Relations, Hauraki Area
Years you’ve worked in DOC: since March 2007.
Rough outline of your role: Engaging with the community - making the connections, working with iwi, community groups, partners and individuals, as well as our own people.
Best thing about your role: Contact with people in whatever form it comes.
How did you get involved in this translocation? Asked if I would take the minutes at the first meeting and have been there ever since!
What’s excited you about the translocation? How the project is crossing boundaries and joining people and communities together.
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