Meet the Boffa Miskell Ecology Team: Karin Sievwright

Moving fish, counting birds, rescuing lizards and surveying bats – it’s been a busy five years for Wellington-based ecologist Karin Sievwright.

Karin joined Boffa Miskell after completing her Master of Science degree in Conservation Biology at Massey University, and a stint as the Live Exhibits Keeper at Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North.

“I grew up in Tauranga on a farm and organic kiwifruit orchard; so I spent a lot of time outside which started my interest in plants, animals and the environment,” Karin says.

“My role at Te Manawa included doing public feedings in the weekends and giving educational talks about the animals. Often people didn’t realise that whitebait are the young of five different species of our native fish, so I enjoyed telling them about their amazing biology and showing them the adult fish of these species in the huge 5000L native fish tank.”

Since joining Boffa Miskell, Karin is often out in the field, undertaking ecological surveys, mitigation work, assessments and reporting for large-scale projects, such as Transmission Gully and the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway.

“One of the most memorable moments for me was being part of the team that undertook what was at the time, and likely still is, the largest fish salvage and relocation operation in New Zealand for a stream diversion,” Karin says.

“This was for the Transmission Gully roading project and involved many months of electric-fishing, spotlighting and trapping. I enjoyed the challenge, seeing some pretty cool fish and having fun in the field with my fellow ecologists.”

Karin has broad ornithological experience, but she’s especially interested in little blue penguins . Technical leader for Sciences, Dr Leigh Bull says that Karin’s penguin expertise has been well used assessing and managing effects through construction. Karin developed some training material for Lyttleton Port to assist them managing penguins on their site through their rebuild and redevelopment following the damage caused by the Christchurch earthquakes.

“I like how little blue penguins epitomise the saying that ‘looks can be deceiving’,” she says, “They appear cute and cuddly but in fact are quite feisty and have real attitude. They’re also amazingly agile when they are on land. When I was doing my master’s research we found penguins 100 m or so up Mount Maunganui, which was pretty incredible for a small bird that’s more in its element in the water.”

As is the case with most of Boffa Miskell’s ecologists, Karin spends much of her leisure time outdoors. Her prowess as a distance runner has made her an integral part of the company’s Around Taupo Relay team, regularly tackling the longest and most difficult leg.

Fellow Wellington-based ecologist (and running enthusiast) Jeremy Garret-Walker says, “Karin always strives towards excellence, achieving very high standards both professionally and recreationally, but she doesn’t let this get in the way of just being a damn decent and nice person. She has managed to find a balance between excellence and demeanour that puts people at ease. For me, this is the approach of someone who focusses on caring. She’s an inspiring colleague and friend.”