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Ray Slater
Ranger - Fiordland National ParkSenior Ranger - Aoraki Mount Cook National ParkNZ Parks WorkedAoraki Mount Cook National ParkFiordland National ParkBiography The first twenty years of my working life were spent at Oamaru commercial gardening, growing tomatoes under glass. This taught me seasonal planning, knowledge of plants, building maintenance, etc. It was very heavy work and when I became exhausted, I turned to my recreational interest of mountaineering for a new career. This led to rangering. I started as a basic grade ranger in Fiordland NP in 1972. After three months to find my feet I was responsible for the Milford Area.
When I first resolved to try and become a full-time Ranger I applied for the position of Chief Ranger, Mt Cook. I wasn’t accepted, of course, but my love of that Park remained so that when the Senior Ranger position became available I applied and was accepted. I took up my duties in June 1983 under Chief Ranger Bert Youngman. By November Bert resigned and I was appointed Chief Ranger.
