- Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
- Egmont National Park
- Fiordland National Park
- Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park
- Tongariro National Park
Menu
Barbara Thomson
Ranger - Hauraki Gulf Maritime ParkRanger - Tongariro National ParkNZ Parks WorkedAoraki Mount Cook National ParkEgmont National ParkFiordland National ParkHauraki Gulf Maritime ParkTongariro National ParkLand Districts WorkedWellington Land District (inc Chatham Is)Date of Birth06 Jan 1953QualificationBSc, MBA, MHealSciBiography Barbara joined the ranger service in 1976 as the first woman ranger. She was hired as one of the five ‘Relieving Rangers’ for full-time Rangers on extended leave or on training programmes. She worked on the Whanganui River, in Wellington and Taupō reserves, the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, and Tongariro, Fiordland, and Aoraki Mount Cook National Parks. Her activities included talks and walks, hut and track maintenance, ski patrol, historic building restoration, noxious plant and animal control, and ski field surveys.
Barbara left the ranger service when the ‘Relieving Ranger’ positions were disbanded in 1978, and joined an aerial photography company, and two years later was employed by Air New Zealand as an airline pilot for 40 years, retiring as a B777 Captain. She was also held various management roles in the Flight Operations Department of Air New Zealand.
