Chrissy Wickes, Biodiversity Programme Manager, Franz Josef/Waiua Area
 
As the Biodiversity Programme Manager for the Franz Josef/Waiua Area, Chrissy Wickes’ largest programme is the rowi project at Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, 11,000-hectares of protected rainforest on the West Coast of the South Island.
 
Chrissy’s work programme includes managing the rowi project budget and kiwi recovery staff, the on-ground management of predator control contracts, the kiwi monitoring program and maintaining two field huts and 230-kilometres of tracks.

Chrissy is also responsible for the staff and community relations side of kiwi work.
 
During her years in conservation, Chrissy has worked with a variety of native species throughout the country including three years of field-based work with Haast Tokoeka.

“Moving north to Franz to work with the rowi in a management role was a natural progression from working with Haast tokoeka,” she says. 
 
“I enjoy working with kiwi, they are our national icon and, to me, an important taonga to this country.”
 
High Point
“Rowi has its own quirks and it’s a challenge for me, learning how to understand the quirks of both my team members and the birds themselves so that we can benefit the programme and move it forward.” 

The Future
Chrissy is optimistic for the future of the rowi, thanks to the hard work over many years by skilled and dedicated people throughout New Zealand.  Their work means techniques and best practices have constantly improved over time, with best management techniques for the recovery of kiwi now being revealed.

“By maintaining the rowi population with Operation Nest Egg, they have created a breathing space that will allow further work to establish the long-term recovery of this species,” she says.