Staff

Claire Travers
Kiwi Husbandry Manager

“I was born in the industrial city of Bradford in Yorkshire, England but decided to study Agriculture (as you do) in Shropshire.  After completing 3 years of study, I decided that travelling was the next step for me and headed to the Antipodes working my way around New Zealand and Australia.  Not long after returning back to the UK I realised New Zealand was where I really wanted to be and settled near Rotorua on a beef and sheep farm.

During those years of farming I developed a strong sense of environmental awareness and an interest in conservation.  In 1999 I started working at Rainbow Springs with the native species especially the birds and the Tuatara and was lucky enough to be able to instigate the captive breeding project for the Tuatara on site.

A proportion of this work at the springs was rearing kiwi chicks as part of the Kiwi Recovery programme.  Where eggs are brought in from the wild, incubated, hatched and raised on site until they are considered to be a safe weight (predator proof)  When I started we hatched 15 chicks that season, this number kept growing until now we raise well over 120 a season in a facility that has been developed especially for kiwi conservation – Kiwi Encounter.

I am now lucky enough to head a great team of staff that devote all their time to kiwi incubation, hatching and rearing for release, wild kiwi eggs.”

Emma Bean
Assistant Kiwi Husbandry Manager

"I’ve been working at Kiwi Encounter since June 2007 after volunteering for 2 months. I have a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, from Birmingham University, UK. I have worked with animals all over the world – from elephants in Chang Mai and gibbons in Phuket to working in the reptile house in Dudley Zoo, UK.

I also volunteered at Bushy Park Kiwi Crèche, Wanganui for 2 months before starting at Kiwi Encounter and whenever I can, I try to go out in the field with the likes of Sid Marsh and Kerry Oates – some of the guys that monitor the birds out in the bush.

But even having had such incredible experiences worldwide, I have to say, nothing beats working with kiwi! They really have captured me! I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of my job – even collecting stool samples in the rain - but I do find the embryology side of it particularly interesting. Being here for the 500th hatch was pretty special too – such a momentous occasion and it was just amazing being there to watch the hatch!  We've now hatched over 700 chicks and I hope to still be here to see kiwi number 1000 hatch!

Another of those incredible experiences has to be when I was with a tour in the Nocturnal House and Te Kaha, our oldest kiwi, called right in front of us – something that makes the hairs on your neck stand up every time! But the best part of it for me? Well, to be part of the bigger picture, I guess! To know that every chick we raise is really making a difference, and that through our work at the National Kiwi Trust we are helping save the National Icon – that’s pretty rewarding stuff!"

John Pickard

I started here at Kiwi Encounter in March of 2007 after coming from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science where I worked with fossils. Prior to this, I worked for 17 years at the Wellington Zoo.  I have a MSC in Zoology from Victoria University, specialising in Animal Behaviour.  I worked for one year on exchange at Koln Zoo in Germany and have visited over 50 zoos all around the world.

While my move from Wellington has been a big change I really enjoy doing some ‘’real’’ conservation work with birds that are being released back into the wild.  In my spare time I enjoy playing cards, Rock’n’Roll dancing, swimming and working in the New Zealand bush as a volunteer for groups like the Kaharoa Kokako Trust.

Carmel Richardson

“I’ve had a life long interest in the natural world, particularly conservation and gardening.  I grew up on a diary farm in the Bay of Plenty with six sisters and two brothers and I now enjoy living in my eco-architecturally designed home on a lifestyle block.  I studied Horticlture and ceramics and have worked in Amenity Horticulture plantation Forestry, and organic food production.  I have also spent some time teaching horticulture, in particular organic food production. 

I have worked as a contract Ecologist for various research projects with birds including the North Island Kokako.  I’m a trustee on the Kaharoa Kokako Trust, helping the Department of Conservation manage a local forest.  For two years before starting at Kiwi Encounter (April 2004), I worked for the Department of Conservation promoting public awareness as a Biodiversity Ranger.  Tramping, eco-gardening, flax weaving and pottery are all things I really enjoy.”

Bev Wilkinson

From Lions to Kiwi:- Having had “hands on” experience raising Lion Cubs for 7 years the change to Kiwi has been an amazing transition.  I am very passionate about my job and give it 110%.  I have always loved looking after sick /injured and juvenile creatures so being able to give them the ultimate and most intensive care that I possibly can is what I love to do.  I was always the kid bringing home orphan kittens, puppies, chickens and ducklings and still do it to this day.

I have joined the Kiwi Team (part-time) this season.  I am also a Kiwi Encounter guide and have been doing this for just over two years.  Those fluffy Kiwi chicks just tug at my heart strings.  I just love watching them grow so the 5 day health is one of my favourite parts of the job.  I also think Kiwi are a lot tougher than we give them credit for……

I love the beach, I love life and I dream of being a “Rock Star”

Helen McCormick.

I’ve worked at Kiwi Encounter and Rainbow Springs for about 13 years now and at the moment am working part-time – more often during the busy hatching season over summer.  I have at Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology and it’s great to put my skills into practical use at Kiwi Encounter.  I’m married and have two beautiful children

My favourite part of my job as a Kiwi Keeper is all the new kiwi babies – all those cuddles and the cute little noises they make.  It’s still exciting seeing every new chick.  The part I like the least?  The constant hand-washing – my hands get really sore!