Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Today we profile Tongariro Northern Circuit Hut Ranger, Sally Jackson…
Sally at Rotokawa Geothermal Reserve, about 14 km northeast of Taupo
At work
Some things I do in my job include…
I work five days on and nine days off, based at one of the three huts on the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
I answer visitors’ questions, assist them if they have issues (such as health, gear failure, or transport logistics), give an evening hut talk and keep the hut and surrounds in good order.
Hiking to Ruapehu’s Crater Lake to collect rock for university scientists
Out on the track (which is over 50% of my time) it’s a combination of digging out and building drains and swales, track marking and trimming vegetation.
This helps achieve DOC’s vision by…
Enhancing peoples’ experience on the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Enjoying Lake Rotowhero – one of the larger hot pools in my neck of the woods
The best bit about my job is…
Meeting interesting people from all over the world.
The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is…
Being flown to Ruapehu’s Crater Lake last year to assist Harry Keys with some monitoring.
I recently visited Whakaari / White Island, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty
The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is…
Pine Flats Hot Springs in Idaho, 2014
On a personal note
Most people don’t know that I…
Write books about hot springs.
My best ever holiday was…
Cycle-touring alone through Turkey.
The thing I’m most looking forward to in the next six months is…
Going to Japan and the USA to hike and visit hot springs.
In my spare time I…
Like getting into hot water (the geothermal kind).
Before working at DOC I…
Was an economic statistician!
Glacier National Park in Montana, 2014
Deep and meaningful…
My favourite quote is…
“Every cloud has a silver lining”.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
From my Mum, and it was not what she said so much as leading by example.
In work and life I am motivated by…
A curiosity and appreciation of the world around me.
My conservation advice to New Zealanders is…
Think global and act local.
Question of the week…
What’s your signature recipe and why is it good?
My signature recipe is kumara out of geothermal steam ovens – takes 20 minutes. Easy, super healthy and tastes better than roasted ones.
Wash kumara, place in a white cotton cloth bag (herb salt optional) and cover/seal steam oven well.
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