Interview with Paul Green

Paul Green was born in Wellington in 1944. Describes education at Te Aro Primary School and Wellington College. Talks about his love of tramping and climbing and climbing in New Zealand and South America. Recalls his first day as a ranger at Ohakune. Describes working for Lands and Survey and becoming senior ranger at Whakapapa. Discusses the turning of wetlands into farmland by the Department of Lands and Survey. Comments on the beginning of involvement in managing Tongariro Forest in 1987 when boundaries were drawn. Recalls the political pressure to have the Department of Conservation (DOC) established in 1987 and the political goals in creating the Department. Talks about controlling pinus contorta and goats.

Describes the land administered by DOC from Whakapapa and later from Turangi as the Tongariro Taupo Conservancy. Gives a history of Whakapapa Village. Comments on the importance of pest control, possum control by 1080 poison and trapping and efforts to increase the presence of the brown kiwi in the Tongariro Forest. Gives a history of huts in the Forest and discusses the need to balance the conflict between conservation and tourism. Discusses the cessation of trips to the Ruapehu crater lake. Mentions local iwi. Recalls the beginnings of the Outdoor Pursuit Centre and its growth. Describes involvement with Search and Rescue. Discusses the development of a Conservation Management Strategy and a Treaty of Waitangi claim against it by Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Explains DOC involvement in efforts to reduce the amount of water ECNZ diverted from the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers. Describes recreation and conservation issues in the campaign. Comments on the relationship between DOC and ECNZ. Comments on changes in the Forest in two decades and mentions highlights including the release of kiwi in the Forest and going through the Mangatepopo Gorge.

Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Kennett

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) OHA-2959. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Colour photo of Paul Green

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: A digital copy of the recording is available