Dave Currie, a volunteer
Meet a volunteer series
Dave Currie moved to Raglan over 20 years ago to get out of Auckland and be part of our small coastal community. After a successful working career, which included being chef de mission for New Zealand at several Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Dave left full-time employment several years ago to get really involved with the community here. He’s been volunteering for the Karioi Project for several years (since before we started counting). Bexie sat down with Dave to learn more about his experience as a volunteer for the Karioi project.
Why did you start volunteering?
“It was philosophical really. I’m really conscious that my generation, particularly, did an awful job of the environment and have left the world significantly worse off for our grandchildren. Somewhere along the line, it really struck me that it was dire what we had done. And I was looking for practical ways to do something to put right the things that we’ve done wrong and live more sustainably. What we’re doing with predator control is a part of all that. And I enjoy the outdoors, so it seemed like a nice thing to do with. I was drawn to the Karioi Project as it’s an enthusiastic organisation that does a great job of engaging the community.”
Have you done any predator control before?
“No, I never had done anything like it before. I had a couple of small properties that I had trapped possums in because they were taking fruit from my garden. But, no, it had never occurred to me, 15 or 20 years ago, to control rats and stoats. One of the things that the government has done right is Predator Free 2050. It’s a lofty goal, but it shows that maybe we can actually do it. People want to be a part of something that’s bigger than them. In my generation, people smoked in restaurants and it was thought that there was no way that you’d ever stop people smoking. Change in society is brought about by lofty goals like Predator Free 2050. It’s important for organisations like ours (Karioi Project) to articulate these goals. What is important is to keep telling the stories. Keep the vision there.”
Tell us about your experiences volunteering
“I’ve got one of the best trap lines. It’s on the beach! It’s physically beautiful, looking down at the water from the ridge line. When I go up there, some days I see about 50 tui playing in the caro trees. You get this reinforcement when you wander through there and see that. The bird life is prolific really. When I started, I was getting 8 or 9 rats in 20 or so traps. And now, I might get 1 rat or just a mouse. So it’s really reinforcing.
I also have trained my good friend, Geoff Kelly, to take over my trapline when I’m away for my long walks and other adventures.”
What else keeps you busy?
“Yoga, mountain biking, and walking. Love gardening, and not just my own. I help other people look after their gardens. I like creating spaces. I’ve been walking the Camino trails in Spain and France. In the last two years, I walked about 2800 kilometres on the Camino trails in Spain and France. I love the sense of history, and the villages, and walking you just get a far better appreciation of a place. Staying in backpacker accommodation, you meet a range of people. I really enjoyed that. I also like to read a lot about early New Zealand history and treaty issues. Currently reading Anne Salmond’s Two Worlds. It all ties in with the whole philosophy and environmental cause, that everything is connected. And unless we go back to understanding that everything is connected, then we’re doomed.
In the future, I’m looking forward to finding a bit of land that I can plant native trees on and build a little barn.”