People Helping Nature Podcast

Zoos haven’t always looked like they do today. The role of a "good zoo" is now about playing a crucial role in conservation and advocacy for animals - locally, nationally, and globally.In this episode, we sit down with Karen Fifield, CEO of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo and President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), to unpack what modern zoos do to protect wildlife beyond what you experience when visiting.Karen shares how Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo contributes through wildlife hospital care, specialist breeding programmes, fieldwork, and community support - and why transparency, animal welfare, and long-term thinking are essential if zoos are to maintain public trust.We explore how zoos work alongside community efforts, why some species are kept off display, how global animal welfare standards are set, and the role education plays in helping people take meaningful action for nature.It’s a wide-ranging conversation about animals, people, ethics, and responsibility - and why good zoos are becoming more important, not less, in a changing world.Here are some other key topics we discussed:The role of storytelling and experience design when building zoo habitatsWhat Wellington Zoo does to support local community conservation effortsHow Wellington Zoo funds their important workThe very real threat of wildlife trafficking and why working together is critical in addressing itWhy it’s important to ‘think before you like’ social media content about wild animals interacting with humansHow to avoid visiting a bad zooWhy being more sustainabile in our everyday lives is a way that everyone can help wildlife conservationAnd much more…👩About Karen:Originally from Australia, Karen’s zoological career began at Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Zoos Victoria before she joined Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo in 2006. Alongside her Chief Executive role, she has also been the President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) and is currently the President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).In 2023, Karen was recognised as one of the Power 10 Zoo and Aquarium Blooloop Top 50 Influencers internationally, and in 2016 became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to Business and Animal Welfare.Under Karen’s leadership, Te Nukuao has celebrated many achievements. In 2009, Te Kōhanga The Nest, a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, opened. The Zoo was the first Toitū carbon zero-certified zoo in the world in 2013 and won the inaugural WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award in 2018.In 2024, Mana Whenua gifted the Zoo its te reo name, Te Nukuao Tūroa o Te Whanganui a Tara, which tells the story of the Zoo’s commitment to conservation and care for communities, wildlife and wild places.🔗Learn more:Website: www.wellingtonzoo.comWAZA website: www.waza.org🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

The Queenstown Lakes District is one of the most spectacular places on Earth - a picturesque landscape of mountains, lakes, and remote valleys where nature still feels wild.But beneath the beauty lies a conservation challenge: around 40 native species in the region are threatened or at risk of extinction.For decades, local communities have stepped up to protect these landscapes and wildlife, powered by volunteers putting in the hard yards. Now, Southern Lakes Sanctuary is helping to take that effort to the next level, supporting the mahi of six long-running conservation groups representing nearly 100 projects, landowners, businesses and hundreds of volunteers across 198,000 hectares, with plans to scale to 850,000HA over time.In this episode, CEO Paul Kavanagh pulls back the curtain on what happens when communities get the backing they need: skilled staff, smart tech, and funding that lets them go further together. From self-resetting traps to eDNA monitoring and beyond, this work is helping species like kea and mōhua return to the landscapes they once called home.Takahē, once declared extinct, now roam the Rees Valley again - a testament to what’s possible through collaboration.It’s a story of people, progress, and pragmatic action, showing how skilled professionals and passionate locals can work hand in hand to protect Aotearoa’s wildlife at scale.Here are some of the key topics we discussed:How six established conservation groups joined forces to form Southern Lakes SanctuaryManaging volunteer fatigue by adding professional support to complement volunteer-led mahiExpanding predator control from 6,400 to 13,000+ traps and removing more than 70,000 introduced animalsWhy measuring biodiversity outcomes matters more than counting traps and the role of robust monitoringThreatened species management across the project areaThe critical role of sustainable, long-term funding and partnerships with business and philanthropyHow AI-enabled, self-resetting traps and live mesh networks are transforming remote predator controlThe importance of working in urban and peri-urban areas as well as the back countryAnd much more…🧑‍🦱About Paul:Paul worked as a field biologist in Ireland after graduating with an Honours degree in Zoology from University College Dublin. He moved to NZ from Ireland in 2009 to further his career in conservation. Paul was General Manager of the Kiwi Birdlife Park, a wildlife park dedicated to preserving some of Aotearoa’s unique native species, for over 12 years before his appointment to his role as CEO with the Southern Lakes Sanctuary.🔗Learn more:Website: www.southernlakessanctuary.org.nzReport Takahē Sightings: www.southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/takahe-sightingsInstagram: www.instagram.com/southernlakessanctuaryFacebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernLakesSanctuary🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

For many careers, purpose doesn’t extend much beyond cashing in the payslip.For Michelle Impey, she’s lived a career of purpose for 20+ years.As CEO of Save the Kiwi, Michelle has led the organisation’s evolution from a one-person funding distributor to a national team delivering measurable conservation outcomes for our national icon, the kiwi bird.In this episode, we talk candidly about building a career with purpose - the trade-offs and rewards, the culture that keeps people for decades, and how business skills like fundraising, operations and communications can drive real impact alongside fieldwork. You don’t necessarily need an ecology degree to help; you need intent, passion and persistence.Michelle also outlines the NZ conservation sector’s evolution. From early research into kiwi decline and DoC sanctuaries, to the community-led and iwi-led movement, Predator Free 2050, new technologies, and Save the Kiwi’s own incubation and crèche programmes - this is proof that collaboration can turn the tide for Aotearoa’s wildlife.Here are some of the key topics we discussed:Lessons from 20 years leading and growing a conservation charityHow New Zealand’s kiwi recovery efforts have evolvedWhat leading a purpose-driven organisation really looks like day to dayBlending business skills with conservation outcomesApplying entrepreneurial thinking to conservation challengesAdvice for anyone looking to start or transition into a purpose-driven careerFinding your place in conservation - from volunteering to leadershipWhy culture and long-term commitment matter in meaningful workAnd much more…👩About Michelle:For more than 20 years, Michelle Impey has been the CEO of Save the Kiwi, an organisation that’s on a mission to grow kiwi to abundance across New Zealand. Save the Kiwi works alongside iwi, conservation groups, and the Department of Conservation to raise awareness about the plight of the kiwi, how important the species is to New Zealand’s national identity, and what Kiwis can do to help their namesake.During her 20+ years in this role, Michelle has witnessed the explosive growth of iwi- and community-led kiwi conservation initiatives, which have in turn created more kiwi-safe habitat all over the country and a greater collective desire for kiwi to return to places where they once thrived. Michelle works tirelessly to ensure kiwi remain at the forefront of New Zealand's consciousness, reminding everyone around her that one person taking small action can lead to monumental change.🔗Learn more:Website: www.savethekiwi.nzFacebook: www.facebook.com/savethekiwinewzealandInstagram: www.instagram.com/savethekiwinzLinkedIn: ww.linkedin.com/company/save-the-kiwi🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

Nature doesn’t stop at the fence-line, so why should conservation?Throughout Aotearoa, catchment groups are changing the conservation narrative. Farmers, foresters, iwi and communities are working together at landscape scale - proving that when landowners are given structure and support, they become powerful custodians of nature.The results ripple well beyond any single farm gate. From 6,000-hectare predator control projects to riparian planting that cools streams, this work flows from the headwaters to the moana, making towns more resilient to cyclones, waterways healthier, and ecosystems more connected.But catchment groups are more than conservation alone. In remote communities, they’re taking on roading contracts, generating local jobs, and providing disaster resilience - building social fabric as well as ecological health.In this episode, Sam “The Trap Man” Gibson shares how catchment groups evolve, what they need to thrive, and why their growth could be one of the most important shifts in Aotearoa’s conservation story.Here are some of the key topics we discussed:What catchment groups are and how they’ve grown in NZWhy bipartisan political support makes them unique in the conservation landscapeHow incentives work better than penalties in driving on-farm changeKiwi surveys on dairy farms sparking wider ecosystem restorationCyclone Gabrielle recovery as proof of community resilienceThe role of paid coordinators in keeping groups alive and thrivingCatchment groups as job creators and anchors for rural communitiesHow catchment groups combine into catchment collectives, achieving conservation and resilience at regional scaleHow this movement ties into Predator Free 2050 and climate resilienceSam’s documentary Think Like a Forest and the vision of Recloaking PapatūānukuAnd much more…👩About Sam:Sam/Hamiora Gibson (better known as Sam the Trap Man) is a trapper, conservationist, communicator, and community leader. Through roles with NZ Landcare Trust, Mountains to Sea, and regional councils, he has spent years supporting and establishing catchment groups throughout New Zealand.With over a decade of experience spanning DOC, Goodnature, and community-led projects like Eastern Whio Link, Sam has designed predator control networks, coordinated large-scale conservation initiatives, and helped rural communities turn their aspirations for biodiversity and resilience into action.🔗Learn more:NZ Landcare Trust: https://www.landcare.org.nz Sam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_the_trap_man Sam’s Facebook: https://ww.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050646522100 🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

“People are the absolute silver bullet to this whole predator-free thing.”Dan Henry didn’t set out to lead a movement. But when he and a friend began handing out rat traps around their suburb of Miramar, something clicked. No committees. No red tape. Just a simple idea people could say yes to.Predator Free Miramar was born.Over the following 6 years, that idea helped turn an entire urban peninsula in Wellington into a predator free zone - strengthening not just local biodiversity, but the social fabric of the community itself.What started with backyard trapping is now a network of volunteers working alongside Predator Free Wellington to hold the line and push the vision further.Motivations varied. Some wanted more birds, others just needed a good night’s sleep. But the outcomes stacked up: healthier homes, new friendships, and stronger community resilience.From Darryl’s quiet leadership in social housing to trap boxes built in garages, this is conservation powered by trust, action, and momentum. As Dan puts it, “If the people want this badly enough, the pressure will come on and the politicians will listen and it will be funded.”So if you think conservation only happens in the bush, think again. Urban centres are key to a predator-free Aotearoa. And every person counts.Here are some of the key topics we discussed:How a simple backyard trapping idea grew into Predator Free Miramar.The importance of keeping things simple and fun to build long-term momentum.What it takes to build trust and participation across a diverse urban neighbourhood.Stories of unexpected local champions.The broader impacts of backyard trapping.Why mindset was important to achieve predator-free status.The ongoing challenge of keeping Miramar peninsula rat-free.Why urban neighbourhoods are key to a predator-free Aotearoa.Tips for starting backyard trapping in your own community.And much more…🧑‍🦱 About DanDan Henry is the driving force behind Predator Free Miramar, an initiative he co-founded in 2017 aimed at eradicating introduced predators from the peninsula. Under Dan’s leadership, this community project has blossomed from a small group of dedicated trappers to a thriving network of over 1,000 households, successfully removing more than 10,000 predators and allowing native wildlife to thrive.Dan’s hands-on approach includes personally delivering traps, training residents, and hosting community events, which has fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride among locals. His efforts have led to a remarkable resurgence of native bird populations and increased sightings of wildlife like mokomoko (lizards) and wētā. Working alongside Predator Free Wellington, Dan and his team of volunteers have not only eliminated rats from the Miramar Peninsula – a world first in an urban environment – but they have successfully maintained that predator-free status for more than a year.🔗Learn more:Predator Free Miramar Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/PFMiramarDan’s Predator Free Resource: www.pfw.org.nz/site/assets/files/1329/predator_free_miramar_-_how_to_kill_rats_and_engage_a_community.pdf🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

“I hold hope for the future of kea in that they are smart and adaptable birds, but we really need to act to help them on their way.”And it takes a special kind of people to do exactly that: you need equal parts physical endurance, technical mountaineering expertise, and adaptive problem-solving in some of Aotearoa’s most challenging environments.Picture this: walking a thousand metres straight up alpine terrain with tramping packs loaded with camping gear and scientific equipment. Then spending days catching and banding kea, or triangulating radio signals with directional aerials through unmarked backcountry to locate a single nesting female. This is the reality behind the data points that drive kea conservation.In this episode of the People Helping Nature Podcast, Lydia McLean from the Kea Conservation Trust (KCT), takes us behind-the-scenes and reveals what really happens in the rugged reality of alpine conservation fieldwork. KCT’s projects range from nest survivorship studies, where motion-activated cameras reveal what's happening around individual kea nests, to understanding entire population trends. Through collaborative trials with DOC and Ngāi Tahu, KCT also supports the testing of breakthrough predator control methods that could transform how we protect kea.This hands-on approach proves that protecting the world's only alpine parrot requires innovation matching their intelligence - and demonstrates why understanding the realities on the ground is essential for effective conservation at scale.Key topics discussed:What a typical day of kea field work looks like.The diverse range of projects KCT leads and supports.Differences between eastern and western kea populations.How kea are threatened by predators.The importance of landscape-scale predator control.Testing a new method of using 1080 and why it’s needed.How to report your kea sightings and get involved.And much more…👩About Lydia:Lydia (PhD, MSciComm, BSc) began working with kea in 2017 after deciding to put her tramping and mountaineering experience into conservation. Her PhD focused on kea foraging behaviour and diet to better understand how to protect them from traps and poisons intended for predators. She now works for DOC in Fiordland as well as managing the KCT’s field programme in the Southern South Island. 🔗Learn more:KCT’s website: www.keaconservation.co.nz Facebook: www.facebook.com/keaconservationhttps://newzealandecology.org/nzje/3599https://www.jstor.org/stable/26775032https://newzealandecology.org/nzje/3341https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03014223.2021.2021249🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

“If you want to know how many kororā live in New Zealand, go find them.”The world’s smallest penguin species could be vanishing right before our eyes - without enough data to confirm their suspected decline.Kororā (little penguins) are thought to be in trouble throughout Aotearoa, yet we lack the nationwide monitoring to prove it. In this episode of the People Helping Nature Podcast, Hiltrun Ratz and Melissa McLuskie from the New Zealand Penguin Initiative (NZPI) reveal how they're uniting community groups all over NZ to fill critical knowledge gaps about this species. Through standardised monitoring and collaborative efforts, NZPI is building the evidence needed for meaningful protection."We need to avoid being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, but put the fence up at the top before it gets too bad and they fade away," warns Hiltrun. The good news? Kororā can thrive alongside humans if they’re given the space and protection they need. By respecting their habitat and supporting local groups, we can help ensure future generations will be able to say, "we have penguins in our backyard."Here are some of the key topics we discussed:Why kororā are classified as "at-risk declining" despite limited data.Major threats including habitat loss, predation, and human disturbance.How climate change is affecting kororā populations.The importance of monitoring on land and at sea.Why kororā are an indicator species for our coastal regions.How NZPI is coordinating nationwide monitoring and conservation efforts to fill the data gaps.Simple actions anyone can take to protect kororā in their local area.What to do if you encounter an injured or dead penguin.And much more…👩About Hiltrun:Hiltrun has dedicated more than three decades to penguin conservation in NZ. She joined NZPI as a penguin scientist in 2021, supporting community groups nationwide to understand and reduce threats to kororā.Her journey began in 1991 with a PhD on introduced predators of yellow-eyed penguins, followed by almost 20 years at Penguin Place on the Otago Peninsula. After leaving in 2013, she contributed to Penguin Rescue's work at Moeraki, before becoming the scientist for Blue Penguins Pukekura at Taiaroa Head (2016-2021), where she established microchipping and monitoring programmes for their little penguin population.👩About Melissa:Melissa joined the NZPI team in 2023 after relocating to the West Coast. With a background in zookeeping, wildlife veterinary nursing and a Bachelor of Science, she previously worked with Western Bay Wildlife Trust, advocating for kororā protection by undertaking community engagement, rescue, rehabilitation, scientific research and habitat restoration.Melissa is dedicated to reducing human-wildlife conflict, improving habitat, and hopes to inspire communities to look after their local penguin colonies to ensure they remain an important part of terrestrial and marine ecosystems for future generations. 🔗Learn more:NZPI’s website: www.nzpi.nzFacebook: www.facebook.com/NZpenguins Instagram: www.instagram.com/nzpenguins🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org

What if businesses could become a driving force behind positive environmental action, complementing and accelerating conservation efforts worldwide?Despite their significant impact on our planet, less than 10% of small businesses have measured their carbon footprint. The perceived complexity of taking climate action has created a massive barrier - something Carlos Chambers experienced firsthand when his previous company's carbon measurement took an astonishing 130 hours to complete. This led him to start CarbonInvoice™ to help solve this problem using technology.In this episode of the People Helping Nature Podcast, we explore how businesses can move beyond the perception that environmental action is in the ‘too hard basket’ and instead embrace taking simple action to become a force for good."The heroes of today are the scientists and the business people," Carlos explains. "I think that's broadly who society looks to, the people with the knowledge and then the people with the influence and the resources."Beyond digital solutions, Carlos also shares how connecting businesspeople directly with nature through native tree planting creates profound, lasting experiences. These hands-on activities benefit ecosystems and plant seeds of environmental awareness that continue to grow long after participants return to their offices, potentially creating a future where business and conservation naturally grow together.Listen in as we explore how businesses are uniquely positioned to drive environmental progress in ways that complement traditional conservation efforts.Here are some of the key topics we discussed:The barriers preventing most small businesses from taking climate action to date.How to overcome climate complexity by making action easy and rewarding.The definition of greenwashing and the importance of transparency.How competition and survival instincts can drive a "race to the top" in sustainability.Why hands-on tree planting creates profound experiences for business teams.The ripple effects when businesses take climate action in their communities.Simple ways businesses can start their climate journey today.And much more…👩About Carlos:Carlos Chambers brings 12+ years of entrepreneurial experience across climate, fintech, and b2b software. He founded and successfully grew Common Ledger, a fintech and data business. Working with small businesses and their accounting data gave him deep insights into the domain. He combines this with his commercial law and climate advocacy background, giving him the ideal foundation of experience, skills and passion to build CarbonInvoice™.🔗Learn more:CarbonInvoice™: www.carboninvoice.com 🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org