The Department of Conservation has allowed its strategic iwi relations manager for the northern South Island, Barney Thomas, to work for his iwi while staying with DOC.

The region’s operations director, Roy Grose, says he will be seconded to work half time for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua for the next year.

Rūnanga chief executive Shane Graham says Mr Thomas was responding to the request of his people for his specific senior public service skill set, networks and executive advisory experience.

At the same time, his conservation skills and ability to educate will be a valuable contribution to Ngāti Rārua.

Mr Thomas says conservation is all about passing on and sharing mātauranga around how to be responsible kaitiaki, and his new role means the organisations can share what they know and what they learn, and through that, improve conservation and cultural outcomes together.