Author(s): Tom Paterson

Hunting

Growing up in Murchison I was always more interested in the great outdoors than in school, which I left at 14 years of age to work on my uncle's farm. I enjoyed hunting with my mates and spent a lot of time in the backcountry.

Being selected to join the New Zealand Forest Service as a Government Deerculler and a Headman led to my career with National Parks of New Zealand, initially as the Second Ranger in Nelson Lakes National Park in 1965. Subsequently I spent three years in Westland National Park and twelve years in Fiordland National Park.

Being involved with the early development of the National Park sof New Zealand was a privilege and a career curve few can enjoy now, as I resolved the issues of the day, building huts and tracks, carrying out Search & Rescue and managing responsilities which were many and varied.

I have a wealth of stories but have selected only some of them to share with you my experiences and adventures in the best country in the world; New Zealand - As It Was.