Jim Clarkson

I was first employed by the Egmont National Park Board in 1976 as a Park Assistant. At that time the rangers were Pat Sheridan, Ted Atkinson, Jim Peacock followed later by John Clay,  Herbert Spannagl and Paul Marsh.

In 1979 I moved to Morere Springs Scenic Reserve to work for the Lands and Survey Department as an Assistant Ranger. My boss was Ron Brown and the Ranger located in Gisborne was Lindsay Daniel.

In 198O when Ron retired I was on site in charge at Morere.

In I981 I took on the role of Assistant Ranger in the Waioeka Gorge living at Okiore and still with the Lands and Survey Department in the Gisborne District.

In 1984? (I think, maybe 1985?) I returned to Taranaki, still working for the Lands and Survey Dept. within the Egmont National Park. I continued here and was still employed at the beginning of DOC in Stratford in 1987. 

I continued right through to 2008, then managed to do a secondment for 3 months on the Chatham Islands. Also in 2008 a restructure within DOC meant the Stratford Area Office closed so I fought for a redundancy package and succeeded to secure this.

Then 3 months later I secured a job back with the DOC Chatham Island Area Office as a Biodiversity Programme Manager, and then went on to be the Area Manager when Ken Hunt left the position. I was on the Chatham Island for 6 years in total before returning to Taranaki Area Office for a further two years, then did a secondment to Waikato to work for Technical Support Biodiversity and finally I have continued as a casual worker here in Taranaki and work only when required.