Whanganui's DoC staff get new uniforms

Whanganui's Eddie Te Huia, Sara Treadgold (centre) and Susan Osborne model the new Conservation Department uniforms. Photo / Stuart Munro Wanganui Chronicle

Whanganui's 21 full-time Conservation Department workers celebrated World Ranger Day with a homemade morning tea and new uniforms.

Staff say their new uniforms are warm, durable and practical.

It is also more comfortable than the previous uniform, which dated back to the mid 1990s. It provides more protection from sun, wind and rain and has a layering system. Items include hats, heavy duty workwear and high-visibility jackets.

The previous uniforms were unisex, DoC deputy director operations Mike Slater said.

The new ones have men's and women's styling.

They will be rolled out over three years, with field staff getting them this year and office and administration staff next year. New thermals and technical raingear are added in the third year.

All operations staff are expected to wear the uniforms. The colours are the standard greens, with grey, some high-visibility orange and Māori kōwhaiwhai pattern details.

The total cost of the rollout is $4.73 million across the department's 1200-plus frontline rangers. Design input for the uniforms came from Mat Nalder, a ranger previously in the outdoor clothing design business.

Decommissioned uniforms will be either debranded and donated or recycled, Slater said.