Whitebaiting can be competitive. Some fishers will go to great lengths to protect their fishing spot, particularly if the whitebait are running well.
Fisher conversations tend to disguise the true nature of their haul, “How much you got today?” “Not much, just a cupful – enough for a feed, maybe a fritter or two.” All the while trying to carry a 10 kilogram bucketful as if it weighs less than 500 grams!
Checking the whitebait catch on the banks of the Rangitaiki River | DOC
So, imagine the challenge DOC, as the whitebait fishery manager, faces. How do you count all the whitebait caught in a whitebaiting season? How big is the fishery?
These silvery delicacies are fished from streams, creeks, rivers and the surfline all over the country from Te Tai Tokerau, the Far North to Rakiura Stewart Island and Rēkohu/Wharekauri, the Chatham Islands.
The Whitebait Regulations don’t require fishers to report their catch. And, even if DOC had enough data collectors to cover every fishing spot, there’s only two months (between 1 September and 30 October) to count the white gold.
New Zealand Whitebaiting rivers based on rivers identified in Kelly 1988, sampled for whitebait by Yungnickel 2017 and identified for survey by DOC operations staff in 2021-22.1
Fortunately, some fishers keep catch diaries for their own interest. Some diaries stretch back over 60 years, others just cover the previous season. These small, battered, often overlooked books are amazing repositories of weather, tide, gear, and catch data – some even record whitebaiter dances and get-togethers on the riverbank!
“Some whitebaiters have already shared this valuable resource with DOC,” says Emily Funnell, Freshwater Species Manager. “Their data is helping us better understand how much whitebait was caught, the weather conditions, river state, and fishing gear used.”
DOC is currently doing a call-out for more whitebait catch diaries.
“It doesn’t matter what state the data or diary is in. We’ve seen pocket-sized farming diaries covered in mildew. Others are computer-based spreadsheet printouts,” says Emily.
“All data is useful, whether you’ve been whitebaiting for a short time or for decades. The more data about the whitebait catch we have, the better we can understand and protect the fishery and its species into the future.”
“And even if you aren’t a whitebaiter, check the family archives as this valuable information can be passed down the generations.”
Emily says privacy is important, so information in the diaries will be kept completely anonymous and combined with data from other whitebaiters’ diaries.
Once the diaries have been collected, they will be analysed by NIWA freshwater scientists. The research results are expected later in 2025.
Whitebait compliance monitoring | DOCBucket full of whitebait – enough for a few fritters! | DOCScoop netting for whitebait on the Rangitaiki River | DOC
How can you help with research into the whitebait fishery?
• Share your whitebait catch diaries • Request a catch diary template to record the 2025 whitebaiting season • Find out more about this research and the results.
[1] Kelly GR. 1988. An inventory of whitebaiting rivers of the South Island. Christchurch: New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. New Zealand Freshwater Fisheries Report No.: 101. Yungnickel M. 2017. New Zealand’s whitebait fishery: Spatial and Temporal Variation in Species Composition and Morphology [MSc]. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
3 minutes ago
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).
EIT’s partnership with local schools continues to thrive, with two Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates the latest to secure jobs at Havelock North Primary School.
Becca Williams and Isaac Winterson finished the programme, renowned for its practical, community-focused approach, at the end of the semester, having completed placements at Havelock North Primary during their three years.
Isaac is excited to begin his career teaching Year 4 students. Reflecting on his time at EIT, he credited the programme’s practical focus for preparing him for the realities of teaching.
“The practical experience was invaluable. Being in classrooms, working alongside incredible teachers, and applying what I learnt built my confidence over the three years,” Isaac said. “I’m stoked to start this new chapter.”
Isaac also expressed gratitude for the supportive environment at EIT, where lecturers provided personalised guidance.
For Becca, joining the staff at Havelock North Primary is a homecoming. A former student at the school, she completed her final practicum in a Year 3 classroom, spending two days a week on-site throughout her final year.
“It feels so special to return to the school I attended as a child,” Becca shared. “The connections I’ve made with staff and students during my practicum gave me insight into the school’s culture and prepared me for this opportunity. It’s like a year-long job interview.”
Becca credits EIT’s focus on real-world experience and the close relationships with lecturers for her success.
“The support was incredible. Unlike larger universities, where you might not even know your lecturer’s name, at EIT, you can contact them anytime,” she said.
Principal Nick Reed and Deputy Principal Greg Bain have long been advocates of EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), commending its hands-on approach and the positive impact it has on teacher preparedness.
The partnership, which dates back to the programme’s inception more than a decade ago, sees candidate teachers spend 40 per cent of their training in classrooms around the region, giving schools a unique opportunity to mentor and assess future educators.
They congratulated Becca and Isaac, and said they ticked a lot of boxes.
“We’re lucky to have them because there were a number of other schools who were keen to sign them up as well. So, we were fortunate to get in nice and early with the interview process and secure their services,” Nick said.
EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).
Greg said both Becca and Isaac were “really successful in being able to build relationships with the staff and kids”.
“We want people who are going to go the extra mile for the kids,” Nick added.
Greg described the partnership with EIT as mutually beneficial, allowing the school to evaluate top talent throughout the year.
“We get a really good look at the candidates coming through, which is really positive. I tell every candidate teacher that this is basically your interview for the whole year you’re here, so make the most of it,” he said.
Nick added: “They’re well prepared and providing that they’ve had positive postings, which in most cases they have, they’re ready to make a difference from the get-go.”
Kirsty Jones, EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) Programme Co-ordinator, says: “It is always so rewarding to see graduates winning jobs in the partner schools where they practiced the craft of teaching, it is a fabulous endorsement of the quality of EIT’s BTP programme.”
“This year the graduates were snapped up by local schools with most securing positions before they had even finished their final course work. They will all start teaching in 2025.”
“Many of our past graduates have been appointed as senior leaders and mentor teachers for these beginning teachers too. I feel so proud of them and seeing them grow over the years and become leaders in the profession is heart-warming.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
3 minutes ago
Students taking part in EIT’s Level 3 Sport, Recreation and Exercise at the Maraenui Learning Centre have had a successful year.
EIT’s Foundation Skills and Sport, Recreation and Exercise courses are creating meaningful opportunities for rangatahi in Hawke’s Bay, helping them reconnect with education and discover their potential.
The courses—Level 2 Foundation Skills (Exercise and Wellbeing), Level 3 Sport, Recreation and Exercise, and Level 4 Exercise—operate out of EIT’s Maraenui Learning Centre and have become a hub of growth and transformation.
Delivered in partnership with EIT graduate and lecturer Levi Armstrong’s Meki Foundation, the programmes focus on holistic education, blending physical activity, personal development, and strong pastoral care to ensure students thrive.
“These are students who left school early and thought education wasn’t for them,” said Sport and Exercise Lecturer Coven Ratima (Ngāti Kahungunu), an EIT graduate who now tutors the same course he once completed. “But once they step into this space, they see what’s possible. It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s designed to build their confidence and skills.”
Hope Truman, 17, is one of those students. After leaving school at 16, she was hesitant to join the programme, even with encouragement from her mum. “At first, I didn’t want to do it. I told her, ‘I’m not going,’ but then she said she’d come with me because I didn’t want to go by myself,” Hope shared. Her mum joined her on the first day, sitting alongside her in the classroom.
That initial support was all Hope needed to embrace the programme. “After the first day, I wanted to keep coming because everyone was just so welcoming,” she said. “Even though it was their first time meeting me, they were like, ‘you’re our daughter now,’ so I thought, okay, I’m coming.”
Now thriving in the Level 3 course, Hope plans to continue her studies in 2025. She’s not alone—100 per cent of this year’s Level 3 students in Maraenui have enrolled in Level 4 for next year.
Students take part in diverse activities, from planning events to designing fitness programmes, all while developing critical skills like teamwork, time management, and leadership. Highlights of 2024 included the “Longest Day” fitness challenge and a decathlon sports day in November, which brought students from across the region together to celebrate their achievements.
This year, the courses also expanded into Gisborne for the first time, marking a significant milestone. Record numbers of students are now preparing to continue their studies in 2025, building on their successes at Level 2 and Level 3 to progress into higher qualifications.
Next year, the level 2 and 3 courses will be offered in Maraenui, Tairāwhiti, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa.
Levi (Ngāti Kahungunu) said having the courses in the community breaks down barriers.
“In places like Maraenui, we’re creating safe, supportive spaces where whānau feel welcome and students can focus on their education.”
He also highlighted the importance of addressing challenges outside the classroom. “We’re removing barriers like transport and food insecurity so students can concentrate on their learning. It’s about creating a space where education feels possible and exciting.”
Coven echoed the sentiment, saying, “The growth has been phenomenal. It’s not just about education; it’s about giving them the tools to build better lives for themselves and their whānau. Seeing them succeed is the ultimate reward.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 minutes ago
Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula presented the final public lecture in a series organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).
EIT’s final public lecture of the year concluded with a thought-provoking session by Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula who shared her journey exploring the intricate relationship between climate change and business.
The lecture, titled Turning Up the Heat: Businesses and Climate Change, was the final in the series: ‘Reconnecting Through Research’, at MTG Hawke’s Bay recently, organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).
Central to her presentation was the critical question: Are businesses exacerbating the climate crisis, or are they helping to solve it by taking ambitious action?
This question set the stage for a discussion on the dual role businesses play in either contributing to or mitigating climate change.
She examined both the global and local trends shaping this issue, highlighting how some industries and organisations are stepping up to address environmental concerns, while others are still lagging behind.
A key focus of the lecture was the analysis of climate disclosures, science-based decarbonisation targets, and the barriers businesses face in taking action.
Pii-Tuulia discussed the rising importance of climate-related financial disclosures and the need for businesses to adopt measurable climate targets. The lecture also addressed the challenges businesses face, including the financial risks of climate change and the complexity of integrating sustainability into their existing business models.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a business issue,” she said. “To ensure long-term sustainability, companies need to rethink their business models to make sure that they are future-proofed”.
She explored the difference between symbolic and substantive engagement. While some businesses make claims about their commitment to sustainability, Pii-Tuulia pointed out that these symbolic commitments need to be followed by tangible actions that reduce organisational carbon footprints.
She discussed the critical role of businesses in shaping broader climate action, not just within their own operations, but also in their supply chains and external collaborations.
She also stressed that business leaders and policymakers must collaborate closely to create effective solutions and policies that drive real, systemic change.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
4 minutes ago
Priyanka Antil, who came from India to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology (GradDipIT) and the Master of Information Technology at EIT, has continued her journey and recently completed a PhD at AUT in Auckland.
An international student chose EIT for her postgraduate studies in New Zealand and is now reaping the rewards having recently completed her journey with a PhD.
Priyanka Antil, 38, has always had a passion for IT, having completed her Bachelor of Computer Science and Masters in Computer Application in her home country of India.
She spent a number of years working in India before marrying her husband Vinod and having a son, Priyansh.
It was then that Priyanka started looking for opportunities to study abroad.
“I did my research and I really liked the look of New Zealand. We chose EIT because I wanted to go to a polytechnic rather than going to a university. When I saw EIT, I knew that it was a good institute so I applied.”
It was a decision she does not regret, even though it meant moving her young family halfway across the world to pursue her studies in 2015.
She enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology (GradDipIT) at EIT in Auckland, which was a one-year programme.
“We had a couple of admission offers from institutes, but we chose EIT because I had some specific criteria. I wanted to go to a government institute and I wanted to be with students from different countries.
She loved the Postgraduate Diploma, and it whet her appetite to go forward with her studies. It was a natural progression to do a second Masters. She chose the Master of Information Technology and she is glad she did.
“After I finished my Graduate Diploma, I got a job here in Auckland as a part-time lecturer at AWI, Institute”
“Working part-time also motivated me to continue my higher education journey. I want to grow in the field more, so that I can be a part of the education system here in New Zealand.”
The next phase was her PhD, but unfortunately EIT does not offer that programme so she completed it through AUT in Auckland. However, her association with EIT did not end as she has received guidance from EIT Adjunct Associate Professor Alison Clear.
The PhD in software engineering has taken her four years to complete, something she says she could not have done without her husband, who has been the family’s sole income earner as a manager at a local supermarket.
However, that has changed and Priyanka now has a job of her own, working as a senior test engineer at GenTrack Global Limited.
EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman says: “EIT is immensely proud of Priyanka and her outstanding accomplishments as she graduates with a PhD. Her dedication and perseverance exemplify the excellence we strive to cultivate in all our students.”
“Although EIT does not currently offer PhD programmes, we are delighted to see how our Master’s qualifications serve as a strong foundation for graduates aspiring to pursue further research and academic success.”
“Priyanka’s achievements highlight the value of an EIT education in supporting students to achieve their goals and make significant contributions to their chosen fields. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Priyanka and her family, and we wish them continued success and happiness as they continue their journey here in New Zealand.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
6 minutes ago
Juanett Broadhurst is currently in her first year going into the second year of the NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) at EIT.
After six years of working in the finance industry, a move from South Africa for a better life for her family has seen an EIT student follow her Architectural Technology dream.
Juanett Broadhurst, 39, moved from school straight into the fast-paced finance industry in Johannesburg, South Africa, but she always yearned for more. Six years ago she and her husband Angelo made the difficult decision to move the family to New Zealand for a better life.
Juanett has three children ranging from 20-years-old to ten years-old. Her husband is a motor vehicle dealership owner in Ahuriri, but Juanett always felt that she needed to carve her own niche.
“Architecture has always been something I wanted to do since high school. My interests have always been in civil engineering or architecture. And when my son went to university last year, I realised that it’s been 25 years in the making. Up until now I’ve always been in an industry where I never felt fulfilled.”
She initially tried her hand in real estate in Hawke’s Bay, but found that she was not suited for sales.
“I soon realised that I had more interest in how the properties were put together than actually selling them.”
“We were doing research for my son on what he wanted to study when we came across architecture online. It just clicked for me. It was actually what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I didn’t know EIT does architectural technology or even architecture for that matter.”
Juanett is currently in her first year going into the second year of the NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) at EIT. Even thought she was not at EIT when Cyclone Gabrielle hit, Juanett has seen the progress the rebuild has made in the last year.
She has loved the Architectural Technology programme at EIT and has enjoyed that the tutors are qualified industry professionals.
“I love the fact that the tutors are involved. I am a person of structure, so I like that their programme is structured very logically and they make it fun as well. Everything is very technical and can become overwhelming, but they break it down very simply so that you get just the right amount of knowledge to progress you and make sure that you know what you are doing.”
Juanett is looking forward to getting out into the job market and she credits EIT for preparing her for this.
“They make you job ready, so that you can go work in any type of environment. You can become an interior designer or you might want to gain a little bit more experience in the industry and you can go do inspections for different companies.”
“I would love to gain some work experience in an architectural firm.”
“The designing of houses are great and that’s also something I really do love, but what I find fascinating is the design of the services.”
EIT Architectural Technology tutor Courtney Vuicakau said: “Juanett is testimony that it is never too late to follow your dreams. Our course attracts people from all stages of life. It requires no previous experience in architecture, we will give you the knowledge and skills required to be a participating member of an architectural practice. We look forward to seeing Juanett continue to grow during her second year of study.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
5 minutes ago
Kat Williams has been appointed Head of the School of Nursing at EIT.
An experienced nurse who has risen through the academic ranks at EIT, has been appointed Head of the School of Nursing.
Katherine (Kat) Williams, who was until her new appointment, programme co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing, began working at EIT in 2017,
“I started off as a casual practicum lecturer, so I was supporting students out on clinical, and then from there I just got more and more involved. I worked my way up to a full-time position and spent most of my time in the first year team.”
After returning from maternity leave for the birth of her first son, Kiwa, Kat took on the role of programme co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing. She was in the role for 14 months before she went on maternity leave for her second son, Te Ariki. She returned in April to assist with Nursing Accreditation- and fulfilled the role of Acting Assistant Head of School until the end of October this year.
Kat says that having the support of her partner, whānau , friends and colleagues has made fulfilling her roles at EIT possible.
“Although this position is for me, it’s for my whānau too- they are the ones that keep me grounded, motivated, and undoubtably support me.”
It has been a journey for Kat to get to this position, with COVID-19, Cyclone Gabrielle, changes to EIT and Te Pūkenga, as well as changes in the leadership of the School of Nursing all having to be navigated.
One thing is for certain, Kat brings a vast array of experience in all facets of nursing overseas and in New Zealand. Born in Rotorua and schooled in Tokoroa, Kat studied for her nursing degree at Massey University and her Master’s degree at the University of Auckland.
She started off the new graduate programme at Tauranga Hospital, working in Kaupapa Māori and a surgical ward. After 18 months there she decided to apply for a role at Camp America and ended up being the summer camp nurse, before jumping in a campervan with friends to see the United States.
After another stint in a surgical ward at a hospital in Darwin, Australia, Kat tried her luck in Saudia Arabia. While she enjoyed her time there, she then followed her yearnings to return to Alice Springs, Australia . She soon became a nurse educator filling in as maternity cover, which ended up being a two-and-a-half year stint.
Kat’s final adventure took a different direction – working in the emergency department in Tennant Creek. Although it was exciting and there was lots of learning, she then had a desire to return home to Aotearoa.
She then worked for TriEX in Auckland and WOHC in Hamilton. Her endeavour at that stage was to continue nursing within an Occupational Health and safety space- however, her now husband lived in Hawke’s Bay so this changed the plan somewhat.
“This led to my interest in working at EIT within nursing education- and I’ve been here ever since.”
Now that she is Head of School, Kat is focussing on building her leadership team, as well as the wider academic team in the School. She is also focussed on strengthening the relationships with key stakeholders and gaining an understanding of their needs and the reality of the current workforce demands.
Kat also believes that research is an important part of the School of Nursing and says that in consultation with EIT’s Research team and the Faculty Dean exciting opportunities for this space to grow and develop are on the cards “however, not overnight.”
Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, says: “We’re thrilled to have Kat step up into the Head of School, Nursing role. With her extensive experience in nursing in Aotearoa and worldwide, and her proven track record of educational delivery, we’re confident that she will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to our Faculty.”
“It is fantastic to be able to promote from within the organisation, and Kat has consistently demonstrated her commitment to EIT’s values. Kat’s energy is infectious, and we’re excited to see how she’ll inspire and motivate the nursing team.”
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
5 days ago
Sapper Brooking Poi is now in the NZ Army having studied the NZ Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Services Pathway) (Level 3) at EIT Tairāwhiti.
A former EIT student, who used the services pathway programme to prepare for a career in the NZ Army, is now learning a trade that he can take back home to the East Coast after he leaves the Army.
Sapper Brooking Poi’s (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūmatuenga) journey to success is a positive one and is helping to promote the benefits of study to potential students in his East Coast community.
Brooking, 19, was born in Gisborne but spent his childhood in Ruatoria before finishing his schooling at Lytton’ High School. He was always keen to join the NZ Army and was told by Zac Te Maro, a tutor at EIT, that he should go to the Army and the best way to prepare for it was to do a programme at EIT. It was worth the effort as he completed the NZ Certificate in Study and Employment Preparation (Services Pathway) (Level 3) at EIT Tairāwhiti.
He says that he enjoyed the programme due to the working environments and with their high quality of standards.
He says being fit helped as well, which he had done by weight lifting and touch rugby. Brooking is currently on sick leave, having dislocated his shoulder. He is based at Linton Army Base in Palmerston North, where he is doing a plumbing trade.
“I would like to go back home, especially back in Tairāwhiti, where we don’t have many plumbers and help out the Kaumatua.”
He says the apprenticeship he is doing in the Army is teaching him plumbing, gas fitting and drain laying. Having signed up to the Army, Brooking has to stay there for eight years, but he believes that he will stay on a bit longer and get all his licences. He even has ideas to trade change after his apprenticeship to gain more knowledge.
He says that studying further after school was always something he wanted to do.
“It was just the way I was raised. Put your head down and do the mahi and you get the treats later.. Not only did I have mates at EIT , but tutors were nice and they were very respectful to us.”
EIT Trades and Technology Head of School, Todd Rogers, says: “It is great to see Brooking pathway through to the NZ Army following the path carved by other members of his whānau.”
Thetūturuatu / tchūriwat’ / shore ploveris a bird in need of urgent PR. With just 250 individuals left in the wild on a handful of predator-free islands, it is one of the world’s rarest shore birds, facing issues related to real estate, genetics and a pandemic.
Through collaboration and cooperation with tangata whenua, tchakat henu, community groups, and other stakeholders, the DOC-led Shore Plover Recovery Programme aims to turn the tide on this bird’s fate. This ‘Tūturuatu Telegraph’ we talk to Rose Collen about her time as the Shore Plover Captive Management Coordinator as she hands over the reins.
Rose Collen in her ‘happy place’, overlooking The Clears on South East (Rangatira) / Hokorereoro Island
One of our earliest forms of self-expression are the posters we put on our walls. Sure, that puppy-in-soft-focus might be ripped down in teenage angst, replaced with your favourite music idol / movie / heart throb (Luke Skywalker, guilty as charged). But you can’t underestimate the impact of those early posters and their subliminal messages as you drift off to sleep. For a young Rose Collen, that poster, titled ‘Children of Tāne’, depicted forest birds of Aotearoa New Zealand, leading to a fascination with birds on the brink of extinction and the predator-free islands they were protected on.
Children of Tāne posterTop to bottom: kākāpō on Whenua Hou Island; kōkako at Pūkaha National Wildlife Trust | Rose Collen
It is no surprise then, that after leaving Uni, she was drawn towards volunteer work on predator-free islands to support endangered forest birds. This adventure saw her island-hop from Hauraki Gulf islands Tiritiri Matangi and Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier, to Mana Island, Whenua Hou and even the Kermadecs, all of which have been captured beautifully through the lens of her camera. Asked what she enjoyed about this island work, Rose replies, “It’s hard to explain, but when you get off the boat you leave the ordinary world behind, knowing that you have this finite landmass in front of you to discover and explore”.
Rose Collen photographing tūturuatu on Rangatira Island | Mireille Hicks
One thing always leads to another, and in 1996 she was offered a job with the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the ‘Bird Team’ at what is now Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, a captive breeding facility for endangered bird species. This role gave Rose her grounding in captive management by working across a variety of species, including the tūturuatu, which at the time she had never heard of. At this point in the Shore Plover Recovery Programme, the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust (ICWT) had also joined the captive breeding programme and the first releases on to predator-free islands were underway.
As the facilities gained experience in managing tūturuatu, Rose could see the need for a document that could be a repository for their learnings and to set the minimum standards and best practice. So she compiled a Shore Plover Husbandry Manual which detailed everything from egg incubation to how to hand-raise a chick, weed control in aviaries to daily health monitoring. This allowed teams to avoid reinventing the wheel in isolation of the other captive facilities or when a team member moved on, and put their time and energy towards the important mahi. The manual is a living document, added to as more is learnt, and continues to be a vital part of the recovery programme.
Rose catching tūturuatu in a pre-release aviaryRose banding tūturuatu
This kind of thinking made Rose the obvious choice for the Shore Plover Captive Management Coordinator role in 2014. Essentially, the role coordinates the captive breeding and release programme across the facilities, which now included Cape Sanctuary. But it also includes maintaining the programme’s records of breeding, output, transfers, deaths and necropsy reports; working with geneticists to minimise inbreeding; coordinating research projects such as the avian pox vaccine trial; updating the Recovery Team, and running annual meetings and audits of the facilities.
Asked what a day in the life of the Captive Coordinator looks like, Rose replies it can be quiet for weeks, then suddenly a WhatsApp conversation will erupt prompting a flurry of activity. A team might need advice about pairings that don’t seem to be working out well, requiring the expertise of the geneticists at the University of Canterbury’s School of Biological Sciences. Or a bird might develop an injury, requiring a trip to see Brett Gartrell and his team of wildlife veterinarians at Wildbase Recovery.
Mireille Hicks, Ilina Cubrinovska, Rose Collen and Nadine Maue on Rangatira Island
The highs for Rose have been seeing the fruits of everyone’s labour when there are stable pairs breeding well, combined with the right release site. This includes the success of Waikawa Island in the Hawke’s Bay, an island that is now almost at capacity with a stable population. The lows included seeing ten years’ worth of hard work disappear with incursions of a single rat, a fate that occurred on both Waikawa and Mana Islands. It took another ten years to rebuild the population on Waikawa, but the same efforts on Mana were thwarted by a recently established kārearea with a taste for tūturuatu.
Rose with Tawapata South Inc shareholders, helicopter pilot, volunteers and DOC rangers on Waikawa Island prior to a tūturuatu release in 2024 | Sheree Smith
As far as the future goes, Rose is incredibly excited about the new aviaries being built at Pūkaha which will improve housing capacity and increase the number of birds for release. Ultimately this requires finding more predator-free islands with suitable tūturuatu habitat, something she will help with as an advisor in the recovery group.
Asked what she loves about tūturuatu, Rose pauses. “I’m trying to think of something that isn’t about how cute they are,” she laughs. “But I guess what amazes me is their adaptability to captivity. Give them the right conditions – fresh clean water to forage in, a safe predator-free environment that mimics their natural habitat, a good diet – and they thrive, producing up to nine chicks a year. Some other bird species are wild to the core and are often looking for ways to escape captivity. In contrast, some tūturuatu we have released into the wild have flown all the way back to their captive breeding facility and asked to be let back inside. They’re lovely to work with and hard-working little dudes!”
Leigh Percasky and Rose Collen checking tūturuatu eggs on Rangatira | DOC
The role is now in the capable hands of the ICWT Wildlife Assistant Manager, Leigh Percasky, whom Rose has worked with for eight years. Asked what he’s looking forward to, he says, “It’s an honour to contribute towards the recovery of tūturuatu. It’s no easy task to follow on from Rose, but I’m looking forward to the challenge! Luckily, she will remain in the recovery group so I can pester her for advice. I’m especially looking forward to being involved in other non-captive parts of the programme, and working more closely with the other captive facilities.”
Of Rose he says, “Rose has made a massive contribution to the Shore Plover Recovery Programme – her perseverance and resilience during some difficult periods over the years is both impressive and inspiring. Tūturuatu are lucky to have Rose fighting on their behalf and are much better off as a result!”
With some more free time on her hands, Rose is looking forward to a holiday then getting back to more fieldwork, starting in Fiordland with mohua / yellowhead. After that, hopefully some monitoring on an island or two. After a long stint having done so much to improve the outcomes of our favourite shorebird, Rose is coming full circle back to the children of Tāne and island life, camera in hand. On behalf of the Shore Plover Recovery Team and our partners, thank you for your incredible mahi Rose.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
16 minutes ago
Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia NIkula
Pii-Tuulia Nikula, an Associate Professor in EIT’s School of Business, has been appointed Co-chair of the Academic Advisory Board of the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE).
CANIE is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need for the sector to step up and act on climate. CANIE serves as a platform to bring the sector together to act as a catalyst for action.
CANIE has recently won a number of awards, including the 2024 Catalyst Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), 2024 Membership organisation of the year and 2024 Sustainability international impact award by PIEoneer, and the 2022 President’s Award by European Association for International Education (EAIE).
CANIE announced the academic advisory board appointments in its latest newsletter, saying: “Their expertise and commitment to sustainability in international education will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission.” Associate Professor Nikula will be co-chair of CANIE’s Academic Advisory Board along with Dr Anne Campbell who is based in the United States
The Academic Advisory Board provides advice on climate change and international education related matters or, when appropriate, responds to requests from the CANIE Global Board in relation to wider issues raised by stakeholders.
Associate Professor Nikula says that she is honoured by the appointment as CANIE plays an important advisory role on sustainability and climate change in international education.
“I am committed to the work CANIE does in the sustainability field in international education. I am looking forward to working with Anne Campbell and our interdisciplinary academic advisory board with expertise in international education, climate science, energy systems/aviation decarbonisation, climate justice, and business/management.”
Associate Professor Nikula is an internationally recognised researcher and innovative educator with extensive industry, teaching and research experience in the fields of management, policy, sustainability and higher education. She teaches courses in sustainable organisations, global strategies and research methods and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate level students. She also has extensive experience in course and curriculum design and programme and course coordination roles
Pii-Tuulia’s work has been published in leading international journals and she has co-edited two books: Sustainable Education Abroad: Striving for Change and Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges and Best Practices.
EIT Head of the School of Business, Dr Gareth Allison, said: “Associate Professor Nikula’s appointment as Co-chair of CANIE’s Academic Advisory Board is a testament to her exceptional expertise and commitment to sustainability. Her appointment showcases the alignment at EIT between high quality research and real-world impact. We are proud to see her play a pivotal role in this important global initiative.”
