Des Williams

Des was employed by the Department of Lands and Survey from 1970 to 1987 and continued his career with DOC in Hamilton until his retirement in 2018. Most of his time with ‘Lands’ was spent in administration of national parks and reserves.

After four years in Hamilton he transferred to Dunedin as secretary of the Mount Aspiring National Park Board, working directly with board members and ranger staff. Then followed three years in Christchurch as a senior administrator in Reserves and four years in New Plymouth as Divisional Officer National Parks and Reserves.

By the time Lands gave way to DOC he was back in Hamilton and transferred into the new department, first as an administrator and then for many years in media liaison roles.

In life away from real work he is owner/editor of New Zealand Shearing Magazine (since 2002) and is the author of 17 history books on a variety of subjects, including The Hole in the Bush, a Centennial history of Tuatapere Schools and District (2010). He used to play golf!