Armed with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Massey University, a doctorate from Oxford and 10 years experience as a scientist in Ecology Division of the former Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Hugh Robertson joined the Department of Conservation as an Advisory Scientist for the Wellington Conservancy in 1989.

Two years later, in 1991, Hugh was appointed as the Co-ordinator of the newly formed Kiwi Recovery Programme, and became Kiwi Co-ordinator (Research & Monitoring) when this co-ordination role was split in 2000.

Hugh's many research initiatives with Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi include projects to:

• Identify and manage threats to Brown Kiwi in Northland
• Assess the status of the Little Spotted Kiwi on Kapiti and other islands
• Measure the impact of pest control operations on kiwi
• Establish a new kiwi taxonomy
• Investigate the health of kiwi

Hugh is also responsible for national kiwi monitoring data, which includes populations of banded birds, and helping with the management and analysis of the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi’s Operation Nest Egg programme.  Throughout his time with the Kiwi Recovery Programme, Hugh's Golden Labrador, Olly, has been a valued field assistant.  Olly’s retirement in May 2003 made the national television news, and is the end of an era.  He found two juveniles on his last day of work, one bird last seen in its nest in February 2002, and the other a completely new individual.  It was, says Hugh, a fitting finale for a great dog.

When not saving kiwi, Hugh advises the Kakerori Recovery Project in Rarotonga, conducts research on kereru (native New Zealand pigeon) and tui in fragmented landscapes, writes field guides to birds in New Zealand, and spends time biking, hiking and gardening with his family.