Ecotourism Certificate students Reflections Log

The following is a record of students comments while in their work placements. They have studied the Certificate in Ecotourism at Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2007 and are reflecting on the reality of the workplace they are in an how their training is being applied.

Comments

[Geoff button]

The students are starting work in October of 2007. The programme has covered such subjects as Interpretation, Business Studies, Plant and Animal Biology, Meteorology, Ecotourism, Ecological Management, Te Ao Maori (the Maori world) and the Treaty of Waitangi. The programme is run using the "Cooperative Education Model" where students finish their studies by completing some assignments while in the workplace where they are payed as normal employees.
The programme is aimed at people who want to take a more meaningful role in tourism and focus on Sustainable Practices and a high standard of interpretation of our environment.

[Mark Davies]

We have almost completed the college phase of the certificate in eco-tourism, that included field work & trips. I have an ex army, police, background and have trained as a park ranger (3 years) prior to having worked as a ranger in Europe, Alaska, and for the last 6 years for the Department of Conservation in New Zealand in areas of biodiversity, community relations & visiter assets. I would highly recommend this course to any person that is interested in doing it. I have learnt a lot about NZ's awesome wildlife & heritage, gaining more people skills and knowledge. It's been fun and well worth while with good tutors, fellow students,college facilities & a great place to do the course. I am looking forward to doing my college work placement next with combined work for Biosecurity New Zealand and the Department of Conservation. My family (Sarah & 4 kids) have supported me.
I plan to do the 'distance learning' Diploma in eco-tourism course in 2008!
Please feel free to contact me about any queries you wish to ask about my time spent as a student on the course. My email is: raynerdavies@clear.net.nz
Thanks

Mark Davies
Certificate in Ecotourism
2007 intake
Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Greymouth

[Mihoko]

Hello from down south the Fiorldland! How's everyone doing? I just finished the first day of my new job at Te Anau DOC Visitor Centre today. Lots new faces and information, my brain is just about erupt. I have met about 10staff in the office today. There are another 40 more permanent staff and 50 more seasonal staff. I am not sure how much time need to remember their names!!! Well, we went to the cinema as our first day to watch the amazing film called 'ATA WHENUA'. It is really amazing and awesome film to recognize how beautiful the landscape and weather around here. I really recommend to everyone to see it. I think Tom the encycropedia mentioned about this film in the class before. I will be full on with the induction next 6wks. Hoping to be able to relax myself soon.
Shinji is working for Jericho wetland from monday and will be back on friday. He worked for broom control today. He is meeing an interesting maori guy already at the volunteer work.
Anyway, this is my update for today. I hope you all are well and having new start. I miss you all! Talk to you soon.

Mark, I haven't met Reg yet. But I found his office and looking forward to see him soon.
Geoff, I am not sure this is the right place to write a message to our class mates.....I don't mind you put this on the ecotourismnz website, but I am writing to our team. So my email content may not be appropriate to this site. Plesae edit this if you need.

PS; I forgot to tell you, if anyone want to have some tiger worm for your conpost, I believe there are still more at the backyard of the house 102 Tainui st.

See you!

[Tom Walter]

Arrived in Whistler yesterday - wicked jetlag, I'd forgotten what this feels like...

If you don't know what Whistler is like, here's some first impressions - This is the town of kool kids - obligatory uniform is hoodie, skate shoes, a visible tattoo, a scowl on your face and a baseball cap or Mao communist cap! Will keep you posted on the best pants to wear... if you have a tattoo on your calf, best to wear long skate shorts...

I feel old...

Looking forward to meeting the Ziptrek crew this afternoon for 5 weeks of intensive (but fun) workplace training! Should be a great experience...

The ski/snowboard season hasn't started yet so there are a lot of people walking, mountain-biking or skateboarding around town, waiting for the 'real' action to begin...

Hi to all the other Ecotourism Cert students out there in the field. How's it all going?

[Helen]

Hi guys. Miss you all too! Life is very crazy here in this concrete jungle (Christchurch) and the weather... not a patch on Hokitika - too many changes in one day!
Thankfully the first week of the new job is over. Only did 3 days and they were horrific.... I was totally outside my comfort zone. Who said 'how hard could driving a tram be'. I take it all back. Only made it through the first day by a wisker. Trams don't stop very quickly... The 2nd day was much better, but the 3rd was the pits. The worst possible thing happened. The side mirror of my tram came into contact with an elderly gentleman! Thankfully the beasts don't really go all that fast. He was ok and accepted a free ride down the road while I plastered on a false smile, ground my teeth, wiped my eyes and kept on going. Took a bit of encouragement getting back on the next tram, but hey, us girls can do anything - right Mihoko? Next week I'll have a comentary to go with the driving that will knock their sox off. The trams are so beautiful and wonderfully restored. It's actually a privilege to be allowed to drive them.
It's great hearing how you are all getting on. Keep posting!
Helen

[Shinji]

Hi guys,
I came back to our new flat. Jericho project was very impressive for me.
During 5 days, I did potting, digging holes, plantinig and being weed buster! But I talked to my clients about broom until now, I did not realize how tough broom is. We found ground level of stalk and cutted then put Vigilant Gel on the stamp. There are branch just under the stamp which cutted at last year. We talked that we need monitering strategy not only restration.
See you guys!!

[Ecotourism NZ]

Great to hear that things are going well for you all. The rain has kicked in on the coast and the clematis is flowering.
The polytech just had an open day which was a great success. I will send out the material to you after the break as mentioned in the email.
Keep the communication up,
have fun, Geoff

[Shinji]

I got a chance to go guiding Routeburn Track by chance. It was rain and gale warning, but Beech forests made me carm and healthy EVERYTIIME.
I interpreted special characteristics of NZ Flora and the story of super continent, Gondowana.
Clients gave me a comment "I dont mind my shoes got very wet, I am just relaxing "
I truely agree with them.

See you!

[john Kennedy]

getting round the South Island with our level 3 tourism and travel students. It is great to see the tourism industry in action. Real highlights were a visit up the Tasman Valley at Dawn to view the glacier. A trip to the glowworms on Teanau proved to be excellent especially as one of our guides was a student from last year Richard Parkinson. He is an exellent guide and has started up a night sky viewing tourism business. We have met lots of great industry people on this trip and recommended both our course and the hospitality programmes for their students.
Great to see you guys using the sight and what a wicked variety of jobs and places you have ended up in. Seems like only yesterday that we were on the course.
All the best JK

[Mihoko]

Hi Guys,
Great Walks Season in Fiordland has started and I have been busy giving visitors avalanche hazard everyday. surely reading the weather map is so useful! Another front maybe coming, it looks more snow tonight or tomorrow....I am freezing! Hoping summer will come to Fiordland soon.

JK, I am sorry that we could not meet at Te Anau. We are still having snowy Milford Road...hahaha. I am glad to hear that you enjoy the cave tour!!!

Cheers Mihoko

[Ecotourism NZ]

Hi all,
thanks for all your comments, the crazy weather and earthquakes are reminding us yet again who is in charge and it definitely is not us!
I am putting the assessment through the last filters before I send it out to you all. I will include marked work from Sandy Chorley and Bunty so expect a large package of paper (sorry trees)
It is great to see that you are applying your knowledge already and keep those things in mind for when you do your assessment because I want you to reflect on these issues.
The rain keeps falling in fact it hasn't really stopped since you all left.
Take care everyone
geoff

[Geoff button]

Hi all, I have sent out your marked work and your new assessment. I was impressed by your Plant and Animal Biology assessments, a very high standard.
How is the spring treating you all, I bet that Te Anau is stunning this time of year. Feel free to post some pictures of what you are up to on the flickr site that we set up, if you are unsure of how to find this give me an email and I will send you the link.
I guess it is cooling down a bit in Canada Tom and we won't ask how the Spanish sunshine is Helen as we will be jealous.
Look after yourselves and keep posting.
Kindest regards to you all
Geoff

[Shinji]

Hi all,
I returned from 10days pre-trip for new course of this summer.
UN?fortunately, when I hike mountain, weather was always clear fine day so could not check my rain gear!!
Avalanche Peak( Arthus Pass NP ) and Mt.Arthur( Kahurangi NP ) ware both covered with snow on the top.
Especially the Summit of Mt.Arthur had waist deep fresh snow. Because I did not carry snow gear( can not see the top from a car park ), I returned from 100M below the summit.
Nice to see you Geoff, JK, Bunty, Dave, Becs and Mark at Greymouth.
Have a good summer, ALL.

[Tom Walter]

Coming towards the end of my time here - amazing!

So glad I've persevered and not gone down other possible work avenues - this work with Ziptrek addresses all and more that I've been waiting for...

In the middle of tech training this week - learning the ropes as it were. They've just taken on a new Ops Manager here and so we're going through training together the next week and a half before I fly back to Melbourne.

I had a very good meeting with the people from the new Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre about forging a relationship with them (incorporating local stories of Whistler's original inhabitants into our eco-curriculum). It makes me realise how progressive NZ is. Cultural tourism is very much in its infancy here.

As always - taking LOTS of photos, here's a selection of some of the better ones, full complement on my flickr site

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomwalter/sets/72157602974749803/

Cheers,
Tom

[Geoff button]

Good to hear about your Whistler escapades Tom, it is great to share with people who have had such different experiences than our own. It is such an opportunity to learn. Liken this to the web 2.0 ideal of share share share to help us all move forward.
Good luck in the coming weeks to you all.
Geoff

[Mihoko]

Hi Everyone,
Shinji and I just came back from Whitebating. We caught 2!!! We think Tai Poutini Ecotourism should have a field trip for Whitebating since it is really cultural activity involving natural environment. Here in Southland still have two more weeks for the season. Does anyone know why the westcoast whitebait season is shorter than other places? Anyway we did whitebaiting at beach with incoming surf. It was much active whitebaiting, not a relaxing activity! The net we bought from Greymouth was really hard to use. People use a differnt style of net here. Hmmmm, different place, different culture. We enjoy all these different things.

mihoko

[Geoff button]

Great to hear from you all, keep it up.
It seems you are all busy in your work.
The spring turns out to be one of the better ones in a while on the Coast with a very wet start but steady improvement since.
We are coming to visit some of you in December and some of you I will get out to see you in late January and early February but will keep you posted.
As a Polytechnic, we always try to be as relevant to the workplace as possible and I am about to visit some Ecotourism businesses in the lower South Island in early december. We ask them if they like the way we are delivering our programmes. You guys have been sent a questionaire by Sarah and we would really like you to fill that out as it is very important for us to always improve and to know where we are doing well and not so well.
You will find that feedback is really important in your workplace and it can help your business be more in touch with how your customers perceive your performance individually and as a business.
OK take care and to the more silent ones... please contribute... you know who you are!!

Kind regards
Geoff

[Shinji]

Hi all,
Last week I helped 1day Routeburn hiking, 5days in a row!
It looks repetition but I did not feel boring.
Wineberry start flowering in the forest, we can find buttercup in the riverbed.
I mentioned heteroblasty, we can see Lancewood(Pseudopanax classifolius) and Haumakoroa(P. simplex) in this region.
The first long trip of the season starts this weekend. Please fingers cross for me!

[Mark Davies]

Hi Everyone!

One of the silent ones here. Glad to hear from you all.
I've been very busy this last month with some of the following happening;
- Every other week I stay down South Westalnd for 3-4 days to make it worthwhile doing my didymo prevention work.(normally 12hr days)
- I have already given a didymo presenation and games to the yr 7-10 South Westland Area School (40 kids), Hari Hari, yr 5-7 Whataroa primary school (20 kids. All went well.
- I travelled some 1200 km in 3 days last week checking over 100 didymo signs in the Cascade, Haast areas.
- Liased with many tour operators including John & Sally Lilley the new managers at Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki.
In the coming week I shall be talking to the Haast, Jacobs River, Fox, and Hokitika schools before the summer holidays.
I've also had meetings with the regional council, fish & game, opus, Doc regarding a plan for water sampling some of our key rivers this summer to check for didymo.
- I shall sample 12 rivers next week in south westland & then be trained up by our Doc scientist to recognise what a live didymo sample looks like in the lab, so that I can do the tests myself. Next Monday I am doing electric fishing with the Ross school and then taking 2 live didymo samples from the Kakapotahi river for analysis for our lab tests.
Today I had a didymo interpretation stall set up at the Hokitika River for a duathlon event. I was able to wash down all the kayaks & equipment of competitors & speak to them, which was good.
- I shall be attending a lot of these type of events over the summer months.
- I hope to speak to about 30 guides who work at Fox glacier guiding about didymo. They are keen because a lot of tourists ask them about it, so they wan't better knowledge.
- I've successfully persuaded the relevant managers of Opus (highways) to install 5 large stop didymo, check, cleran, dry, signs at all main highways coming into the West Coast which is great. Doc will pay and make up the signs ($1,200 each) & Opus have kindly agreed to install them.
My family are all well. Not long now Tom before you become a dad!
Helen, hondray, hondray!
Mihoko, have you been cheeky to Reg yet??
Shinji, did you get a personal locater beacon?
Geoff, hope to see you next week
John, couldn't find questionnaire, so I had a nice cuppa instead
Take care all, kind regards
Mark
The quiet one!

[Mihoko]

Hi,
Recently I have noticed so many people want me to make a decision of weather although they know that I cannot promise about the weather. I understand most people don't want RAIN on their trip. But rain is actually beautiful! One of my little project at visitor centre is up my skill to make people feel more relax about going out in the rain!

By the way, Shinji and I caught handful whitebait this time. We are improving!

[Helen]

Hi everyone. Just landed late yesterday and still feeling like I'm going to fall over. 36 hours stuck in transit or on a plane is very boring. I got to watch 5 movies on the way home!! Spain was pretty cool and the weather - well it only rained for an hour in Madrid and drizzled for 2 days in the south of France. There were plenty of storms in other areas unfortunately and so some memories were not so good. Plus getting my camera stolen on the second last day was not great. But that is all over now and work starts tomorrow. Oh dear. I'm not motivated - need a couple of weeks off to get organised and diet to fit the ghastly, manly pants that are part of the uniform. Can you imagine what I look like after 5 weeks eating every paella and tapa in Spain? Not to mention sampling every vino tinto. We visited so many castles, ruins, art galleries, cathedrals etc. Sometimes we had an audio guide, sometimes a real person and sometimes we just did it alone. The live guides mostly needed 6 months at Tai Poutini, learning how to interpret. At least I got some tips on what not to do! We are so lucky living here. We might not have an amazing history and remains like other countries, but we do have everything else.
It was neat catching up on all your stories on this site tonight. Seems like so long ago we were in Greymouth.
Everyone keep well.

[Helen]

Hi Again. Yesterday I spotted a familiar face grinning up at me. It was Shinji spying on me driving the tram! So great to see you Shinji. You brightened up my day.

[Shinji]

Great to see you Helen!
I have finished my first 10days trip. The westcoast weather was amazing. We could see Mt.Cook from east side and west side. At Ross, I talked about goldminig and timber history. I was thinking about you Helen! I want to say to myself 'WELL DONE! Ding Ding!!!

[Geoff button]

Hi all,
you all seem to be doing well in your various roles. I saw Mihoko at Te Anau and she is doing very well in her job there and they are keen to give her more opportunities in DOC. She is a valued staff member who works with her customers very well and her work ethic is second to none
We are nearly at Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful time over this period.
Good luck with the coming year. Your assignments need to be in by the 25th February (I am on leave till then)
Please send them to the Tai Poutini address and C/- me
I will be out to visit some of you around this time also.
Keep in touch and thanks so much for your input thus far.
Tom....are you a Dad??
Kindest Regards to you all
Geoff

[mark davies]

Hi everyone. I hope you have all managed to have a few days break over Christmas? We shall be thinking of you Helen, especially with your dad in hospital. I've managed to have a few days of, but will be working for most of the Doc holiday period, speaking to all water users out and about regarding didymo. I've driven thousands of Km's off-road in the last few weeks and spoken to 8 different schools. I get to spend 3-4 days staying in South Westland every other week with my work. I recently gave a good presentation evening with about 35 Franz Josef glacier guides staff. Our family are of to the North Island from 11-25 January 2008 for a holiday staying with friends at Whangarei and Mount Maunganui before returning to Hokitika. I have lots of shows to attend connected with didymo on return such as A & P show Hokitika & Whataroa, Triathlons, Fishing events, Wildfoods Festival, etc. I finish my didymo project on 28/03/08 and then shall be spending time on my own in the UK from 4 April-5 May 2008 visiting aged relatives and some friends. I hope to spend 5-6 days walking Britain's (possibly Europe's)oldest walk called the Ridgeway which is about 150km long in the South of England and passes through very ancient places. It was used as a supply route to London by people and records date back to human use about 5000 BC! I start my certificate in support of the elderly in February-November 2008 one day a week at Tai Poutini Greymouth and I am considering doing some distance learning papers in the Diploma in Eco tourism? I shall still be doing some casual work for Doc and some work with the elderly. Our family are well. I hope you are all keeping okay. Tom, any nappy changes on the horizon yet?? Take care, have a good 2008, kind regards
Mark Davies

[Mihoko]

Kia Ora Kotou!

Happy Holiday Season to everyone. I hope everyone having enjoyable time with your whanau!!

"Tungia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke." Clear away what is bad and the good will flourish. from the Reed Book of Maori PROVERBS P96

Harakeke is flowering beautifully now. I have been seeing Yellow crowned Tui and bellbirds lately!?!?! Because we have yellow flowered flax in our garden.

Ka Kite,
Mihoko

[Shinji]

Hello guys,
Long time no see all include Mihoko. I was away for a month and 10 days again. I have a short break and rushed to finish workbook.
You can get next week, Geoff!
See you next.

[Mark Davies]

Hi

How is everyone keeping, well I hope?
It was good to catch up with Helen when we recently visited Christchurch. We are thinking of her especially with her father being very ill.
How's things Shinji & Mihoko? and what about the baby/mother Tom?
I caught up briefly with John at college last week.
My didymo work is going good. I've been fortunate to get involved with catching blue ducks in the Styx Valley as part of Doc's blue duck recovery work. Amazing birds to hold and band!
Not long now to my UK trip from 1 April until 7 May 2008.

Take care everyone. We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards

Mark