Elly Wilson’s internship with Waikato Regional Council’s Integrated Catchment Management directorate is a world away from a placement she once held as a tourism student at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
“I was the understudy for Princess Merida, from Brave, the Scottish Highland princess,” laughs Elly, who’s swapped parades for paddocks, and royal waves for GPS mapping of new fencelines.
“I enjoyed Disney for the experience – my family makes fun of me – but I did it to get out of New Zealand. I saw the opportunity for a small-town Morrinsville girl to go to Disney and thought I’d give it a go.”
Elly, who now works in the Morrinsville-based nursery of Ngāti Haua Mahi Trust (NHMT), also decided to give the 10-week internship with Waikato Regional Council’s Catchments section “a go” when the opportunity came up earlier this year.
Elly’s internship is part of a council funding agreement with Waikato River Authority for a planting project in the Karāpiro and Mangaonua catchments.
“I definitely find it more meaningful than being a Disney princess.”
Elly’s internship is part of a council funding agreement with Waikato River Authority for a planting project in the Karāpiro and Mangaonua catchments to improve water quality, reduce flood risk and support sustainable land management.
NMHT supplies and plants eco-sourced species for the council’s work in these catchments.
Elly, who started at NMHT as office administrator, says the internship is giving her insight into what happens beyond the nursery gate.
“I like being able to expand my knowledge and get my hands dirty,” says Elly.
“The council’s jobs are our priority, and the internship means I get to find out what’s behind all the spreadsheets and the reports.”
Her work with the council includes meeting landowners who want assistance with riparian planting, hill country erosion protection and river management; GPS mapping fencelines used to retire land to meet funding criteria; selecting the right plant species for specific sites; carrying out site inspections; and assisting with water quality monitoring.
“I am not just observing – they are chucking me in the deep end,” Elly says. “And I love being out on the land.
“It’s expanded my knowledge a lot, especially about riparian planting and what species work best in different environments. It makes me feel more confident in my job at the nursery – like I can bring more to the table.”
Waikato Regional Council regularly hosts internships as part of iwi partnership projects, creating pathways into environmental careers.
Elly works in the nurseries of Ngāti Haua Mahi Trust, which supplies plants to the council.
In the past, these have led to permanent or fixed term roles, particularly in catchment and river management.
Central and Lower Waikato Programme Lead Paula Reeves says the internships play an important role in building capability in environmental projects.
“Iwi have a role as kaitiaki of land and waterways, and these internships help build the technical knowledge that supports kaitiakitanga,” says Paula.
“The internships also ensure the benefits of a project flows back to iwi communities, with skills and opportunities being created. There’s a tangible return – not just the fencing and planting.”
For Elly, who still lives in her small hometown of Morrinsville, that impact is personal.
“These internships make council-iwi partnerships stronger and improve relationships,” says Elly.
“I like being able to work locally, and the partnership enables employment of local people at a local level.
“In my family, it was always straight to the meat works, so it’s great to have the opportunity to do something meaningful – working on the land.
“By looking after our whenua, we are in turn looking after our people.”