Ranger swaps mountains for sea

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 48, 19 May 1987, Page 9

Ranger swaps mountains for sea

Ohakune-based Tongariro National Park ranger Bryan Norton is off to Tauranga this week after nearly five years stationed in the Waimarino. Mr Norton came to the area from Northland's maritime parks and reserves and spent a year at Whakapapa before moving to Ohakune. He arrived at Whakapapa during the height of the ski season from a temperate Northland climate and had to quickly adjust. Mr Norton was involved in general park maintenance programmes, including hut and track repair and upkeep, as well as weed control programmes and the purchase of materials for such work. His biggest single activity iuring summer months was work on the eradication of Pinus Contorta. Pinus Contorta self-seeds at a prolific rate and the seedlings grow so close together they smother all the small native sub-alpine vegetation. Mr Norton said when he first began work at Whakapapa, there were forests of trees growing - "a real nightmare". All available manpower from Tongariro National Park staff and tramping club volunteers were incorporated to cut down all pinus contortas in sight, using chainsaws, axes and slashers. Mr Norton said he has seen some dramatic changes on the Park's boundaries over the last few years. The eradication programme has been very successful and has reduced

numbers from thousands to just a few scattered aroUnd, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Mr Norton's chief responsibility during the winter months while in Ohakune was the supervision of the Mountain Road. His job involved road maintenance, traffic control and the supervision of staff at road barriers. He was also responsible for assessing the status of the road and it was his final word that decided whether the road was to open or close. He had some involvement with Turoa skifield with regards to

user safety and environmental protection. Mr Norton's new appointment is with the Department of Conservation in Tauranga as a conservation officer. His duties will include the management of coastal and marine areas, reserves and the Kaimai-Mamaku State Forest Park. Mr Norton said he is keen to take up his new position and while there is a lot to learn, he has a broad background of experience from his previous positions. Both he and his wife Gill are looking forward to returning to a climate they are more accustomed to. Gill and their two sons, Joshua aged two and Ben seven-and-a-half months will stay in Ohakune until accommodation is found in Tauranga, while Bryan leaves on Wednesday. His position was filled by Robert McCullen, a new graduate from Lincoln College.