Our team of rangers can connect you with a local district DOC ranger, or help with advice on tools, best practice and safety information. They can also connect you with other groups in the region through the Predator Free New Zealand Trust.
Northern North Island
Name: Dan O’Halloran
Role: Ranger Biodiversity | Kaitiaki-Kanorau Koiora
Based in: Pewhairangi/Bay of Islands
Email: dohalloran@doc.govt.nz
Dan O’Halloran
Image: DOC
Kia ora, I’m Dan O’Halloran the PF2050 Regional Ranger for Te Tai Tokerau.
I am a Biodiversity Ranger based at the Pewhairangi/Bay of Islands office in Kerikeri.
I have the privilege of living in the beautiful Puketi Forest where I also volunteer for Kiwi Coast to help protect our many wonderful taonga species.
With over 30 years’ experience in Pest Control as a contractor and working for DOC, I am keen to progress this Predator Free kaupapa throughout the North.
Please get in touch if I can be of any help to you or your group.
I also work on the NMIT Introduction to Predator Trapping 2-day training courses and could help you organise a course in your rohe.
Toitu te Taiao.
Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
Name: Sol Cranna-Smith
Role: Community Ranger
Email: scrannasmith@doc.govt.nz
Sol Cranna-Smith
Image: DOC
Kia ora koutou!
I’ve always been into Aotearoa’s taonga species and natural environment, however it wasn’t until I start university in Wellington that I became fully indoctrinated into the conservation cause. Working with passionate individuals and seeing the work of PF2050, PF Miramar and local community groups made me realise that the dream of having a Predator Free NZ by 2050 is possible! Since then, I have worked at Conservation Volunteers NZ, Auckland Council and now DOC to help make this dream a reality.
Let’s get to work, kia kaha!
Sol
Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Eastern North Island
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Central North Island
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Lower North Island
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Northern South Island
Name: Josh Preston
Role: Ranger
Based in: Motueka
Email: jpreston@doc.govt.nz
Josh Preston
Image: DOC
About Josh
My conservation journey started in 2014 when I became a Friends of Flora (FOF) volunteer in the Kahurangi National Park. I was soon put to good use lugging trap boxes around and doing trap checks. Turned out I absolutely loved doing this kind of work. I applied to do the Trainee Ranger course at NMIT in Nelson, which was a great course. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get into the conservation field.
Fast forward to 2017 and I got a job as a Biodiversity Ranger in the Motueka District. My role includes working with local community groups and managing a stoat trapping and tracking tunnel network.
I am especially passionate about backyard trapping and currently trying to set up a trapping group and trap library down my street. If you want to have a yarn about anything Predator Free 2050 related, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Western South Island
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Eastern South Island
Name: Vacant
Contact: Your local DOC office
Southern South Island
Name: Kate Hamilton
Role: Community Ranger
Based in: Queenstown
Email: khamilton@doc.govt.nz
Kate Hamilton
Image: DOC
I’m a nature lover (particularly, a big fan of birds!) and am passionate about protecting taonga species.
Working with community in the predator free space is really rewarding mahi. I enjoy problem solving challenges, learning about trapping tips and tricks (I’m all ears if you have any to share with me!) and celebrating successes (for which there are many!).
Spending time on predator free islands has made me appreciate the rich level of biodiversity that can be achieved in the absence of predators. I’m optimistic about what can be achieved on the mainland and the wildlife we will see in our backyards in the years to come.