Tongariro Conservator to spread the word from Taupo

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 24, 10 November 1987, Page 5

Tongariro Conservator to spread the word from Taupo

Tongariro National Park Conservation Officer Paul Dale can remember the days when his only involvement with national parks meant donning a pair of gumboots and a pack and wandering into the wilderness. After 15 years in the profession, Paul h a s acquired a vast knowledge of the system and its many facets. He started his new job as Senior Conservation Officer and second in charge to the District Commissioner, in Taupo this week. He got his first taste of parks while still at high school in Christchurch and was one of the country's first unpaid volunteer park workers, in Mt Cook National Park. Helpers now play a vital role in the management of parks around the country. He joined the team at Tongariro National Park as a ranger in 1984 after working at various parks and reserves in the South Island, including Otago and Arthur's Pass. His duties included control and maintenance of the Bruce Road and carparking during ski seasons at Whakapapa. Mr Dale built up a special rapport with staff of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts during this time. Another of his responsibilities was communications within the park. He also maintained an interest in the mountain's early warning system and was responsible for its upkeep. The organisation of staff, park finances and the welfare of the visitors were the primary aspects of his job. Mr Dale was acting Senior Conservation Officer for six months during

the absence of Graeme Ayres who was on active duty in Antarctica. The position involved the day-to-day planning, budgeting and personnel management at Tongariro. One of his major responsibilities was co-ordinating the team of workers involved in the renovation

of the park's Visitor Centre. In 1985 he introduced computers into Tongariro, after a five-month study of national parks in the United States where computers are widely used. He purchased a computer while overseas and leased it to the park until they bought their own. Mr Dale was heavily involved with search and rescue during his earlier years and is a great supporter of rescue services in the area. He is keen to become involved to a greater extent while stationed in Taupo and will be volun-

teering some of his spare time to St John's Ambulance work. Mr Dale is enthusiastic about the new Department of Conservation and his role as conservation officer. One of the challenges as he sees it, is taking the message of the Department of Conservation to the public - the special gift of the environment to the people. The Department's job is to manage the gift known as New Zealand, according to Mr Dale. "The job offers as many challenges and rewards as a person is

willing to put in," he said. His new position with the Department of Conservation in the Taupo district will include land administration and charge of lakeside reserves around Lake Taupo. Mr Dale will also have a minor role in fisheries and tourism. He will be relying on his past ex-

perience to help him set guidelines in his new position. Mr Dale said the key to future conservation of the area is the wise use of existing resources and maintaining a balance between preservation and tourism. "It's a tremendous challenge," he said.