Dedication: Bibliography, Papers, DOC, Recognition, NZ caving expeditions, China, Epilogue, Postscript

Dedication

I feel immensely privileged to have worked with a wonderfully enthusiastic and dedicated ‘family’ of Department of Lands and Survey National Park and Reserve Rangers and work staff, along with having had the opportunity to make a difference to the way we perceive and manage our world-class karst and cave resource.

Selected Bibliography of Caves & Karst Papers & Reports, 1981-1986

Wilde, K. A 1981,The Cave and Karst Resource of New Zealand Vols 1 & 2. Unpublished Dissertation. Dip. Parks and Recreation, Lincoln College.

Wilde, K. A 1982, Puketiti Flower Cave - Proposed Conservation Covenant. Unpublished Report, Lands & Survey Hamilton.

Wilde, K. A 1982 (?), A Proposal for a Waitomo Lowland Biogeographic Reserve, 1982. Unpublished Lands & Survey Hamilton Report.

Wilde, K. A, Cody, Worthy, T 1983, A Basis for New Zealand Cave and Karst Management. NZ Speleological Bulletin 7 (124) pp 94-98.

Wilde, K. A  1984, Honeycomb Hill Cave System – Report and Recommendations for Management for New Zealand Forest Service. Unpublished NZFS Report.

Wilde, K. A 1985 (?), National Policy for Caves & Karst Managed by the Department of Lands & Survey (Draft). Unpublished Lands and Survey File.

Wilde, K. A 1985, Caving Ethical Guidelines, New Zealand Speleological Society in "The Little Red Cavers Book” - NZSS Information Manual pp 6-8.

Wilde, K. A 1985 Policy for Karst and Cave Conservation, New Zealand Speleological Society in "The Little Red Caves Book" NZSS Information Manual pp 5-6.

Wilde, K. A 1985 A Proposal for a Waitomo Caves Walk, Unpublished Lands & Survey Hamilton Report.

Wilde, K. A Proposal for a Waitomo Caves Walk, Proceedings of the 6th Australasian Conference on Cave Tourism & Management 1985, Waitomo, New Zealand.

Wilde, K. A  An Historical Review of Cave and Karst Conservation in New Zealand 1889 – 1985. Proceedings of the 6th Australasian Conference on Cave Tourism & Management, Waitomo, New Zealand, 1985.

Wilde, K. A 1986? Impacts and Management of the Luxmore Caves Adjacent to the Kepler Track. Unpublished Lands & Survey Report to Chief Ranger Fiordland National Park.

Wilde, K, A The Preservation and Management of New Zealand's Cave and Karst Resource., 1986 Geological Society of New Zealand, Conference, Otago University.

Papers Post Lands & Survey

Wilde, K. A China 1987 New Zealand Speleological Exchange Expedition. Department of Conservation, Wellington Unpublished Report.

Williams, D., K.A Wilde, & T.H. Worthy 1989. Anahulu Cave and Environs, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga: Recommendations for Development. Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association, New Zealand Unpublished Report.

Wilde, K. A 1989 Paparoa National Park Management Planning – The Cave and Karst Resource – The issues and Draft Management Policies. Cave and Karst Management in Australasia, Proceedings 8th ACKMA Conference, Punakaiki, New Zealand, 1989.

Wilde, K. A 1989 General Policy and Guidelines for Cave and Karst Management in Areas Managed by the Department of Conservation. Cave and Karst Management in Australasia, Proceedings of the 8th ACKMA Conference, Punakaiki, New Zealand, 1989.

Wilde K. A 1989 Paparoa National Park Management Planning – The Cave and Karst Resource – The Issues and Draft Management Policies. Cave and Karst. Proceedings of the 8th ACKMA Conference, Punakaiki, New Zealand, 1989.

Wilde, K.A. & T.H. Worthy, 1992. West Coast Cave and Karst Management Strategy. Department of Conservation, Hokitika Unpublished Report.

Department of Conservation

1987: With the establishment of the Department of Conservation (DOC), I was appointed District Conservator Buller and left Waitomo. The Waitomo Ranger Base was then disestablished and relocated to the Te Kuiti DOC Office.

1987-1989: District Conservator Buller, West Coast.

1989-1995: Northern Operations Manager (Buller - Reefton) and West Coast Regional Compliance and Law Enforcement Co-ordinator.

1990 (?): Prepared, along with then DoC Scientist, caving associate, and ecologist Dr Chris Pugsley, environmental management clauses to be included in the lease of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave to Tourism Holdings Limited.

Under DOC I had major inputs to both the Paparoa and Kahurangi National Park Management Plans, in particular cave & karst management. It is my understanding they were the first NZ bi-cultural National Park management plans.

1995: Whilst not held personally responsible by the Cave Creek Commission of Inquiry into the systemic catastrophic platform collapse in my operational area, I and Regional Conservator Bruce Watson resigned from DoC as acts of atonement to the victim’s families.

ACKMA and Waitomo Caves Museum Society recognition

I was made an ACKMA Fellow in the mid-1980’s and in 1996 awarded Life Membership for my contribution to cave and karst management and preservation. At the same time, I was made a Life Member of the Waitomo Caves Museum Society. The certificates were presented to me during the 1997 12th ACKMA Conference at Waitomo.

NZ caving expeditions

1980: Nettlebed Expedition, Mount Arthur. New Southern Hemisphere depth record of +557m.

1983: Nettlebed Expedition, Mount Arthur, including TVNZ’s Feltex Award winning ‘Two Days to Soft Rock Café’.

1985: Bulmer Cave Expedition, Mount Owen.

China expedition

1986: Deputy Leader China New Zealand Speleological Exchange Expedition. Ministry of External Relations and Trade Cultural & Sporting Ambassador, NZ-China Exchange Program. Supported by Prime Minister David Lange, Sir Edmund Hilary, and led by karst expert Prof. Paul Williams of Auckland University.

My role included exploration, surveying and mapping, along with other expedition members; identifying caves suitable for cave tourism and making recommendations for their development, management and conservation; presenting my findings and recommendations to Guiyang University academic cave and karst experts and local authority representatives; and liaising with the Chinese leadership.

Epilogue

In 2000, I returned to Waitomo as Director of the Waitomo Caves Museum, Outdoor Education and Information Centre. I fondly remember in 2005 before leaving Waitomo for the 2nd and last time sitting on my cottage verandah overlooking the Waitomo Valley as a NZ falcon passed by and out of sight, and  with great satisfaction recalling my caving life, my caving friends and my time as a caving ranger.

Postscript

Whilst attempting to recall events as accurately as possible, I take full responsibility for any errors or omissions, 34 years is a very long time to recall exact details and dates.

NG‘ 75 (PNG) Documentary ‘Man Belong Hole Belong Stone’ available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGMpe3Hg840

Nettlebed Cave (now Kahurangi NP) Feltex Award Winning1983 Documentary ‘Two Days to Soft Rock Café’ (available at:

<https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/two-days-to-soft-rock-cafe-1983>