Table 2: Serious incidents

Date Location Description Action Classification

R
19/03/2016 Fallen object Mt Tongariro On the 19th of March 2016 myself and flew up to the Picked up 20lt drum, placed inside helicopter, re- 4. High Aircraft

EL
from lower Emerald Lake to follow up on a Diquat spray trial and then attached load (Pilot), flew back to Whakapapa heli
helicopter spray Juncus around the lake edge. We flew up to the site with pad.
. He dropped us off (time

EA
was 9am) and we went about our task. I called him at 11am for an
early pick up due to the lake level rising due to rain the previous

SE
week which limited what we could spray. He turned up at around
12pm pick me up at the crater landing site (200m from the lake)

D
and we flew 10 DOC 200 traps over to Waihohonu Hut (the traps
were stored in the back of the helicopter) and then flew back to the

U
crater landing site. I walked back to the Emerald lake with

N
net and strops while waited at the helicopter. and I

D
loaded our gear into loading net and attached the empty
IBC tanks using the strops. Steve then flew over to us and I

ER
attached the strops to the long line hook as I was shown in
training by then flew the gear back to the landing site.
and I walked to the landing site. In the mean time had

TH
reloaded the gear from the net into the helicopter. He put
everything bar one full 20lt water container into the back of the

E
helicopter. This 20lt drum was loaded back into the cargo net and

O
reattached to the IBC tanks, to provide a bit of weight to the load.
We then got in the helicopter, and started our flight back to

FF
Whakapapa Village. As we exited the rim of the Tongariro crater
between the peak of Mt Tongariro and North crater ( I think it was

IC
here as I was not paying much attention at this point) the
helicopter dropped a bit due to a down draft. then went

IA
lower and turned around, I asked what was up and he said that the

L
20lt drum had "bounced" out of the net and fallen to the ground
(the time was about 11.40-50). We landed and un hooked the load

IN
and flew back to get the 20 Lt drum. I exited the helicopter and

FO
picked up the drum and got back into the helicopter. We flew back
to the load and picked it up and flew back to Whakapapa. Once
back at Whakapapa we unloaded our gear and flew away

R
(The time was 12-12.10). and I went to the visitor center

M
where we checked out for the day and reported the incident to

AT
who wrote it in the log book. I rang once I
got home to report the incident but got no response so waited till
Monday morning to report it to him.

IO
N
AC
T
24/11/2016 Walking Motuopao Written Friday 30 November 2016 At hut reminded everyone to remember that 4. High Aircraft
away from Island when they leave the helicopter to leave in a safe

R
the What remembers manner. To leave at the front of the helicopter

EL
helicopter between 10 and 2 o'clock if possible. That it was
After disembarking from the helicopter I helped (helicopter not acceptable to exit behind the helicopter and for

EA
pilot) unload 4 back packs and small bin with lunch in it from the everyone to please remember this. I reminded
cargo hold at left rear of the helicopter. I remember that I kept everyone that they had just completed a practical

SE
hold of the four back packs gave them to me and that I helicopter training and that had reminded
didn't grab the bin because my hands were full. I didn't put the them the safe way to exit the helicopter before
back packs on the ground because the helicopter rotors were still leaving mainland. up on this.

D
turning and I didn't want them to fly into the propeller and

U
were still disembarking the helicopter. I
remember walking to the hut and do not remember what

N
were doing. I do remember seeing

D
leaving the helicopter at approximately 9 o'clock once I got

ER
to the hut. I remember following the designated walking path to
the hut. I thought that I was walking downhill away from the
propeller while remaining what I thought was a safe distance from

TH
the tail rotor. I do not believe that this is an incident because I
believe that I was walking on the designated walking track, I was

E
walking downhill and was a safe distance from the helicopter.

O
FF
What remembers

IC
I can't quite remember but I think the helicopter was turned off

IA
when I got out though the blades may still have been moving.
got out first and then helped get the bags out. I got

L
out and went to where the emergency bag was to wait for the rest

IN
of the team. I then saw walking down to the hut.
was walking towards the back of the helicopter and about 5-10

FO
metres away from the tail of the helicopter. was yelling trying
to catch attention. stopped yelling when

R
passed the tail rotor. As was walking down to the hut I then

M
walked down to the hut too.

AT
IO
07/03/2016 Sling Load Greigs Hut Helicopter lifted load of building material. Departed from site, Pilot investigated cause of load failure. He believes 4. High Aircraft
fail slung load dropped from between Greigs hut and Siberia hut. it was pilot error. Release button hit by mistake.

N
AC
T
05/05/2016 Chasing Masons Bay, The incident happened between when the first flight back from ran after the hat chaser on an angle and 4. High Aircraft
blown hat Stewart Codfish to Masons had occurred and before the pickup back to at a distance well outside the unsafe area

R
towards tail Island Codfish with the second lot of visitors ( ). surrounding the awaiting machine to keep herself

EL
rotar of There was no kakapo team staff member on the beach supervising at a distance where the hat chaser could hear any
helicopter the group at the time, and Lou had been placed in charge of the of her instructions. After catching his hat she told

EA
group waiting on the beach. him to hold onto it. She then told the rest of the
group wearing hats ) to hold

SE
The group were making their way back towards the machine from onto them and explained the dangers of chasing
being up the creek when strong winds blew off one guy's hat. The them and potential machine damage.
hat was blown at an angle which was moving past but away from

D
the helicopter and was at a distance of 20+ meters from the We have since insisted that all hats and scarves are

U
machine. The owner of the hat chased after it and was placed into packs prior to leaving the quarantine
concerned that if the wind changed that he would not hear store and that packs are not to be opened until told

N
instructions and would run into an unsafe area near the awaiting to do so inside the hut on Whenua Hou. This

D
machine. practise is also being carried out on all transport to

ER
Anchor Island.
13/12/2016 Mackinnon Mackinnon On Tuesday 13th December, flew from Milford The pilot corrected and cleared the Pass and 4. High Aircraft
Pass Pass Sound wit pilot up the Arthur Valley, over MacKinnon Pass, headed down into the Clinton valley.

TH
Helicopter landing and dropping at Little House on the Prairie in the
Clinton Valley, landing and dropping Laura at Mintaro Hut, and the

E
pilot returned to Arthur valley to continue flight activities at

O
Dumpling Hut. Description below

FF
"On leaving Milford Sound the pilot checked with Quintin Lodge
about visibility on MacKinnon Pass and we headed up the Arthur

IC
valley. As we approached, cloud was moving in and out on the
Pass. Attempting to head over the Pass we approached at the flat

IA
area to the left of the memorial. As we neared the Pass the pilot

L
did a sharp bank and we headed back into the Arthur valley and
approached the Pass again. This time we were flying lower to the

IN
top of the Pass, there was a gap in the clouds and we headed

FO
through, again the memorial on our right. Suddenly we were
getting even lower and one of the skids hit the ground and we
were knocked off course to the left."

R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
22/01/2016 Aborted Martins Bay, No immediate action taken. 4. High Aircraft
Takeoff, Fiordland

R
Martins Bay On the 22nd January I flew out with three other people using Discussed incident with manager later in Te Anau.

EL
Spoke with owner on 18th
March and arranged to meet with him and pilot to

EA
discuss further.
The weather was unsettled, showery with a low cloud base

SE
necessitating flying via the coast route. It was calm. There
were four passengers with personal gear plus there was some
rubbishy etc to fly out.

D
U
N
The helicopter had a pod attached and loaded most of the

D
gear in to the pod, a small amount went inside with passengers.

ER
Once we were all aboard, commented that it would be a good
load. We then went in to a very low hover, slowly turned to face
the takeoff direction then hovered slowly across the house clearing

TH
in a running takeoff, two thirds the way across the clearing there
was a bumping as the helicopter bounced on to the ground, it then

E
sat on the ground and slid on the wet grass down slope for 5-10
metres before coming to a stop near the edge of the clearing which

O
is surrounde with Manuka scrub and regenerating bush. There

FF
were two pronounced skid marks on the ground. apologised
for giving us a scare, gave us the option of leaving gear behind or

IC
taking us in two loads to the beach. I said we would take whatever
action he recommended for safe flying after which he suggested

IA
two of us get out, he flew the other two to the beach, returned for
us and then flew us all off the beach. It took a long running

L
takeoff in ground effect to get airborne.

IN
FO
When we arrived inMilford said we would need to repeat the

R
process in reverse, we landed on the grass runway, two of us got

M
out there so could hover safely to land at the hangar.

AT
IO
22/05/2015 Broken Murchison While distributing bundles of stoat traps ( approximately 70 kg per Remaining strops and bundles were inspected for 4. High Aircraft
helicopter Mountains bundle ) using a Hughes 500D helicopter with carousel attachment wear and security before being attached to the

N
strop on a long line, a strop on a bundle snapped/broke and the bundle carousel for deployment.
was lost in the bush. No staff were near the machine when this

AC
occurred, and were only alerted to it when the pilot returned to the
loading area.

T
30/04/2015 (VA) Lost Kepler Track Three flight bags and two staff members were to be flown from No corrective action taken as was unaware of 4. High Aircraft
flight bag off Luxmore Hut, two bags had strops attached ready for flying, one the incident until hearing the conversation over the

R
hook didn’t. The gas cage is 40m away from the helipad. A radio that the pilot had lost the load.

EL
strop is a rated length of rope with loops at either end to carry a
load under a helicopter.

EA
flew two bags of firewood plus two

SE
volunteers to Luxmore Hut. The pilot landed the bags near the hut,
unhooked, and the pilot then landed the
helicopter on the helipad and offloaded the two volunteers and

D
their gear. The pilot then moved the helicopter over to the three

U
flight bags, hooked the two that were
pre-stropped to the long line and the pilot relocated them to the

N
helipad and landed. Meanwhile removed the strop from the

D
firewood bags and proceeded to prepare the third bag for flying.

ER
The pilot suggested that get in the helicopter with
the two bags on the long line and fly to the Control Gates, return to
Luxmore Hut for the third bag suggesting the volunteers hook the

TH
last bag on. Pat said that the volunteers didn’t have the
skills to do that type of work.

E
The pilot flew with the two flight bags to the Control Gates, in the

O
process; one of the strop loops came loose from the hook and

FF
consequently a bag slipped from the strop, landing in the bush
somewhere between Luxmore ridgeline and the Control Gates.

IC
When the helicopter landed at the Control Gates the strop was still
hanging off the hook by one of the loops.

IA
The pilot went back to Luxmore and picked up the third bag and

L
two staff members.

IN
On questioning , he said he put all four loops onto the hook.

FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
22/02/2016 Multiple Okereru volunteer) was stung multiple times Recommended we get antihistamines for all First 4. High Animal &
wasp stings. on the arm and once in the mouth while weeding around the Aid Kits. Insect Pests

R
Ngutukaka enclosure at Okereru. At first she appeared ok when

EL
they returned to the Operations Office at Aniwaniwa. 30 minutes
later whilst eating lunch her tongue started swelling up. We had a

EA
school party whom were also volunteering, one of the parent
helpers was a nurse. was directed to ring 111 as it was

SE
now clear she was going into anaphylaxis shock. The school group
were sent to wait in their vehicles. We went through our first aid
kits to see if we had any antihistamines, one of our contractors did

D
have some in pill form but she was unable to swallow them by the

U
time the pills arrived.
directed we take into the Board Room

N
as this was cooler and quiet.

D
stayed with her to reassure & keep her calm. I phoned

ER
This was bought up at
approximately 3:30pm 5 minutes before the ambulance arrived. By

TH
this time throat had started shutting off and she was
finding it difficult to breath. checked with the 111 operator

E
to ensure that this would not react with other medication.
This was administered 1/2 a teaspoon at a time & was enough to

O
stop the swelling shutting off her airway completely before the

FF
ambulance arrived. The rescue helicopter was also dispatched as
the journey to the nearest hospital by road is 1 hour away. The

IC
helicopter with paramedics on board arrived 5 minutes after the
ambulance, they took over her care from that point. Once the

IA
ambulance officers administered medicine via a nebuliser, the
swelling started reversing and she was stable enough to be

L
transferred to hospital. This was done via helicopter.

IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
03/05/2016 Wasp Strings Kaweka Task being undertaken at time of incident was setting out of rodent Moved fast away from site brushing wasps from 4. High Animal &
Forest Park monitoring cards in beech forest environment. legs and right arm, stopped briefly about 50m from Insect Pests

R
site to remove wasps from clothing as still receiving

EL
Stepped on or near a wasp nest while walking, received multiple stings, administered antihistamine tablet and
wasp stings to right leg, right wrist and lower back. continued walking fast towards open alpine area

EA
and main tramping track.

SE
Made VHF radio contact with staff college
working nearby from same hut location,
briefed on incident and arranged for

D
to meet up with me on track should I not return to

U
hut within 45 minutes.

N
Minor swelling occurred, mainly to wrist.for a few

D
hours only, no other advise reaction or affects

ER
evident, continued normal activities.
08/12/2016 Helicopter Lake apologised and explained a wind had caught 4. High Animal
near miss Greaney Biv, him. When he saw us yesterday he told us that Species -

TH
Haast Range came in to land with a full chopper from now on we are to communicate with him on threatened
load of people and gear and Otago University staff + channel 15 as he is arriving to help him assess the

E
student). He swung the heli around a couple of times to get a good wind in that basin.

O
footing then suddenly the tail came whipping around towards us, I
sprang back away from the gear and jumped under the cable as ) thinks that a new

FF
the tail swung almost directly over our gear (he was about 2m off helipad further back from the hut needs to be
the ground). It just seemed non-controlled and gave me enough of established, with staff waiting well back from

IC
a fright to dive out of the way. helipad during landings.

IA
27/01/2016 Long term Dept of A recent departmental hearing test I had has highlighted long term I have always used hearing protection for any 4. High Boats
hearing loss Lands and hearing loss. I advised the technician of tinnitus which has been other activity I undertake in my job or private life.

L
Survey / ongoing since around 2002 which I have always attributed to

IN
Dept of extended hours driving open outboard power boats I am currently considering hearing aids as
Conservation assistance but was advised to apply for ACC to

FO
My assist in costs due to the discussion of probable
role for my working life has been extensive boats skippering for two cause.

R
Govt Departments, up to five plus days per week in roles that

M
ranged from
. Always coming home

AT
with intense wind noise from use of open power boats, which
would disappear over night with sleep however around 2002 this

IO
began to fail and I would wake with the noise like cicada's (Tinitus)
still ringing. this has since never gone away. Due to the

N
environment and the need to be intouch with the elements, hearing
protection was never promoted nor worn.

AC
T
15/01/2016 partial loss of Unassigned On going concerns of Partial loss of hearing due to the use of under went several hearing tests 4. High Field
Hearing equipment, Chainsaws, Jet boats, firearms, over the years. Equipment

R
EL
02/05/2016 Foot Otago region This has been a progressive injury that began presenting late last I initially went to a podiatrist who looked at my 4. High Field
neuroma year as a mild pain in the bottom of my right foot that I thought biomechanics and suggested I go the Shoe Clinic Equipment

EA
would naturally disappear. However, by April this year it had and have shoes fitted that provide adequate
become unbearable. It is particularly difficult in my work boots. The support for me. These have reduced the pressure

SE
doctor is of the opinion that this is a progressive disorder of the on my nerves and reduced the pain but the
nerves in my foot due to the amount of time I have spent walking underlying condition is still present. I subsequently
in rough ground during work. As a freshwater ranger working in visited in June who referred my to a

D
waders are likely to have contributed to the development of this specialist Orthopaedic surgeon for an assessment

U
condition. and treatment. Treatment in the first instance
involves a steroid injection. which is often enough.

N
D
18/04/2016 Failure to do Rakeahua At 10am on the 15th Of April ) and his two 8 am initial report from visitor centre staff that 4. High Field

ER
daily valley employees got flown into the Rakeahua river to do possum there is a issue to who talked to Equipment
schedule /Stewart monitoring from 3 different campsites one person per site when

TH
VHF calls Island dropping these teams in there was a change to one of the (Police) and we looked at What level of response
campsites location the three were all supposed to schedule in with we would do. After collating all information and
Stewart Island base every morning at 8.30 am and together at 7 with the contractor very worried we decided to get

E
pm. the Helicopter that was booked for next day to

O
come over early to fly in with 2 SAR/DOC staff
radioed in on Saturday morning and said all was well no other ( ) and check

FF
coms were herd from other team members. campsites and if no persons found then camp the
night and initiate further action next day.

IC
radioed in on Sunday morning and said that he had not herd
from the guys but was not worried at present / he was herd trying Flew in by chopper located campsites that were not

IA
to schedule with them by radio all that day. He had also checked at co ordinates given and when landed and looking

L
one of there trap lines and thought that it had not been checked at campsite one of the parties turned up it was
found that his radio (from DOC Te Anau) was not

IN
radioed Monday morning at 8am worried that he still had no on the correct channel and they didn't have the

FO
contact with his team aprox 50 hours knowledge to change channels correctly. Then
after we established that the other person Milton
was ok but was having radio difficulty's we flew to

R
the next campsite and found the next person and

M
also found that he was on the incorrect channel

AT
(another channel) and changed this for him and
returned to base with all coms going between all
parties

IO
N
AC
T
13/01/2015 Grazed Tuckers On the 13th January while removing a fallen willow hand called his home as a doctor friend was 4. High Field
nuckle on Beach was grazed when it brushed over the willow bark. He was left with visiting. She suggested a medivac sooner rather Equipment

R
left hand a minor graze and as it was the end of the day he packed up, went than later. He informed other staff and called the

EL
home, and applied antiseptic cream. On Tuesday 20th January Duty Officer who called Lakes District Hospital to
while chain-sawing scrub at 12 Mile Delta a thorn lodged in the get advice. They also suggested flying out a.s.a.p.

EA
wrist of the same hand within the grazed area. The following day A medivac was instigated and an hour later Owen
while working in the Dart Valley he pulled the splinter out and was airlifted to Lakes District Hospital. He was

SE
applied antiseptic cream to the grazes and splinter area. On treated immediately with intravenous antibiotics,
Thursday lunchtime the wound started showing signs of infection sent home, and asked to return in 24 hours.
and by the evening it was obvious that the infection had spread returned within 18 hours as there hadn't been a

D
right up the arm. reduction in the infection. The hospital

U
administered the same antibiotics and sent him
home for a further 24 hours. He then returned

N
within 24 hours as no further reduction in the

D
infection. This time he was admitted to the

ER
hospital and the antibiotics were changed to a
stronger version. He remained in hospital for a
further three nights after which he was released on

TH
oral antibiotics.

E
O
FF
IC
IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
08/12/2016 Te Rapa Te Rapa While a Community SOP workshop was being held in the Te Rapa Door was locked immediately. 4. High Harassment/
Base front Base Base meeting room someone had unlocked the front door out onto Threat

R
door the street. This door is always meant to be locked and for those

EL
unlocked who do not have a key they are required to ring the doorbell to
gain access. I informed of the incident at the

EA
time.

SE
I have explained to that the door was not to be left
unlocked and that I would go downstairs and let people in when

D
they rang the doorbell.

U
N
D
arrived after the workshop had started and managed

ER
to gain access via the front door and walked up the stairs and
arrived at my desk to sign in. I questioned how he managed to get
in and he told me the front door was unlocked.

TH
E
Once had signed in I took him downstairs to the meeting

O
room and then went and re-locked the front door.

FF
IC
Later in the day I found the door unlocked again and wen to lock it

IA
only to find out the people had gone out for a smoke.

L
IN
This is just one incident of many over the last six months or so.

FO
R
Also included is the door being left unlocked late in the afternoon
the day before the 1080 protests. I made sure it was looked as I

M
left for the day Sent a text message to to let him know

AT
IO
N
AC
T
26/03/2015 Aggressive Takaka came to public reception desk, complaining During the initial minutes of the incident a third 4. High Harassment/
encounter Office aggressively about a whale carcass on Onekaka Beach. was staff member ) noticed that all staff Threat

R
with member reception asked to assist. Upon arrival become more aggressive, were in the smoko room, where the reception

EL
of public engaged in conversation, answering his queries. However he alarm would not have been heard be heard.
became steadily more aggressive. told him to leave and went to the smoko room and requested assistance

EA
informed him he was trespassed. proceeded to swear from The reception alarm needs immediate
abusively at as he departed. He posed threateningly in front of improvement so that it can be heard in the smoko

SE
the main window, then came through the door and shouted more room.
abuse.
phoned the police immediately upon Daniels

D
departure. The offender is known to the police.

U
requested that the police serve with a
trespass notice, which A/Sgt did so

N
promptly. has emailed the police to see if they

D
can provide ID photos of this offender, and also of

ER
another recently trespassed person; so that staff
will be more prepared if they encounter either of
these persons again.

TH
E
17/03/2016 Gas Leak - House 3 Contractors were staying in empty House on Okiwi station. DOC Staff member brought up smell of gas and local 4. High Hazardous

O
GBI Okiwi Station staff member went into house to install smoke alarms and smelt fitter was contacted to come and check oven. Substances

FF
gas - Oven had just been installed by . Found a leak in the hose at the back of the oven
and has temporarily fixed it while waiting on parts.

IC
IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
12/03/2016 Chlorine gas Tokaanu 8,00 and I arrive at work Tokaanu Thermal Pools Turn the Gas cylinders off 4. High Hazardous
alarm Thermal Substances

R
activation pools 8,05 and I start the private pools opening up procedures and

EL
could hear an alarm sound and found it to be coming from the gas
chlorine shed.

EA
8.07 I check around the building and could not see or smell any

SE
signs of danger only the alarm going off. I got to stand back
in a safe area while I opened the door, stepping back away from
the door. I could see no visible or smell any thing out of the

D
ordinary. I informed that I was going to shut the each gas

U
cylinder off and did so. I closed and locked the door, leaving the
alarm on and turned the chlorine pump off.

N
D
8.15 I rang the manager No answer .

ER
8.20 He rang back, I informed him of the situation and kept away
from the area

TH
9.00 He arrived to take over.

E
I took over from but kept her with me for safety.

O
FF
I went to the Chlorine shed alarm going no sign of danger and
decided to check the gas was off. let know what was going

IC
to do and when she was clear, opened the door visual and smell
test, I moved in to check the gas was off could smell a very faint

IA
smell retreated and shut the door.I thought this could be from
gas in the line, so I went in to the other shed to switch the pump

L
on to drain the line

IN
9.15 I waiting for air to clear and doing safety checks all clear

FO
9.20I open the door and reset the alarm. No sign of any thing

R
wrong, closed the door.

M
9.30 Rang ICI Emergency Phone link 24 hour phone 0800734 607

AT
and informed them of our situation.

IO
N
AC
T
01/04/2016 Dizzieness in Kaitaia Doing stocktake and clearing old herbicides from Kaitaia base Went and stood outside in fresh air for 4. High Hazardous
Chemical Chemical chemical shed, was in there for approximately 30 minutes before approximately 10 minutes. Substances

R
Shed Shed feeling light stomach illness and light headed.

EL
EA
Chemical door was open and I had let the shed air for

SE
approximately 10 minutes before entering. I do this every time
before entry as there is always a strong chemical smell.

D
04/02/2016 Collapse Mt Herbert Track work Mt Bradley, was part of the group he collapsed Others in party gave first aid attention and 111 4. High Health Issue
Shelter and vomited called, evacuated by helicopter.

U
N
11/07/2016 Pukenui Whangarei 4. High Hunting

D
Forest - were were walking out of the Pukenui reserve after a days work Staff was informed, who then filled out incident

ER
Firearm near upgrading tracks for the Kauri Dieback Project. It was nearly dark report and sent to DOC. They have informed police
miss when they arrived at their truck at the end of the day. As they and the police are looking into it.
arrived at truck, they heard a bullet whistle 1-2m above their

TH
heads. They ducked behind truck and heard another shot. They I have spoken to
were wearing Hi-vis vests, and when they stood up to take a look
and to get into truck, they saw 2 young adults near the pond to get details of incident.

E
aabout 200-300m away, and ducks flying north. At this point the 2

O
shooters saw the contractors and disappeared into the bush.

FF
They estimated that the shot was fired about 200-300m away
from them, and guessed they were shooting at ducks. When the

IC
shooters noticed the hi-vis contractors they ran away. The

IA
contractors described the gun as a long barrelled rifle, probably a
.22 rifle, (as they didnt' hear the shot, just the whistle as it flew

L
past their heads).
The contractors weren't on the reserve at the time, and the

IN
shooters weren't on the reserve either.

FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
08/10/2016 barbeque Mt Thomas As part of a walking festival event I arranged a sausage sizzle after Turned off and disconnected gas, put the lid over 4. High Machinery
caught on picnic area the walk for 21 people participating in a walk at Mt Thomas. The the barbeque and another person and I moved it to and Plant

R
fire walk was being managed and led by members of the Rangiora a clear area away from everything, got a bucket of

EL
Tramping Club so it was also a way of thanking them for water in case anything else caught alight and let it
volunteering their time. I was the only DOC person there and was burn out. Looked for a fire extinguisher in the DOC

EA
responsible for the barbeque and food (should have had two vehicle to no avail, so just had to wait until it burnt
people doing this). Also I have never had anything to do with a gas out. Thought I could shovel earth over the fire if it

SE
barbeque before (there's always been men around who appoint got worse, but didn't have anything on hand to do
themselves to said task). So didn't fully appreciate how filthy the this either.
work owned barbeque was and the accumulated layers of fat and

D
oil (don't know when it was last cleaned) caught fire and burnt for

U
about 15 minutes.

N
08/01/2015 Stone Totaranui Whilst mowing lawns adjacent to tents a rock that has bee left in All mowing at Totaranui has been stopped until a 4. High Machinery

D
thrown from the grass has been struck. The usual safety guards on the mower manageable solution is found. and Plant

ER
mowing did not contain the projectiles which have passed through two
damaging tents. No campers were injured in this event however there is The affected campers have been spoken to and
tents at considerable potential for significant harm to have resulted. An replacement tents have been purchased (one tent

TH
Totaranui infant was asleep in the vicinity of this event with projectiles is to be replaced the other has accepted gift
passing either side. vouchers)

E
09/06/2016 Hearing Loss Motueka Noise induced hearing loss detected Staff notified, retesting for staff, doctors visits 4. High Machinery

O
and Plant

FF
26/02/2015 Engineering Wire Yards Work on site had ceased for the day and staff were packing up in Excavator was unloaded and removed from 4. High Machinery
failure of Hut (Oteake anticipation of an early morning departure back to base, on loading service. and Plant

IC
excavator Conservation the excavator onto the transport trailer it was noted that the RH
transport Area) rear tyre was flat. Staff proceeded to change the tyre, fortunately

IA
trailer the spare tyre was quite difficult to fit which lead to a more

L
thorough investigation of the trailer. It was noted that both U bolts
that support the RH rear axle were snapped through and the axle

IN
was basically floating on the suspension only. The LH U bolts had
obviously been under strain however were not broken. The spring

FO
retainers on the RH side were broken through the welds and total
failure was imminent. A large crack and deformation of the stub

R
axle mounting plate was also noted. Brake lines stressed and failure

M
imminent.

AT
24/11/2015 Back injury Pureora Recurring back injury flared up during a day of baiting for rats. I I was able to finish the days work, shifted majority 4. High Manual
while baiting Forest Park was walking on uneven terrain with a heavy load (15kg) on my of weight to hand bags so it wasn't directly on my Handling

IO
back. back.

N
Tes to see if this changes

AC
T
28/08/2015 Runnaway Whangarei Kubota (LUV) was on the trailer in the workshop and I need to I got someone to help me untangle it from the ute 4. High Manual
Trailer Office Yard manually move it out side to attach the trailer to the truck. As I and hook it up to the truck. Handling

R
pulled it out of the workshop there was a slight downward slope

EL
and the trailer gained momentum. It pushed me and I fell between I did not require any first aid or medical
the draw bar and the trailer and it then hit a parked ute and the treatment.

EA
fence which stopped it from running me over and rolling any
further. I banged the back of my head on the draw bar as I fell.

SE
17/11/2016 WHM - rouge Harihari While walking up the beach the team didn't see an above average Moved up onto the rocks above the tide mark. 4. High Marine/Fresh

D
wave Coastal Walk wave come in, and it knocked Will off his feet. He lost his safety water
glasses and got wet through.

U
N
02/02/2015 Hypothermia Mueller Hut was climbing up to Mueller Hut to assume arranged a small rescue party and 4. High Natural

D
Collaspe Track hut water duties for the next 7 days. Weather at the time, raining carried to Mueller Hut, changed him into dry Event
with some wind at higher elevations. Also an afternoon clothing. He was unconcious and not responsive at

ER
thunderstorm developed. Approx. 15 mins from the hut this time. A Search and Rescue was initated and
collasped. ran to Mueller Hut and obtained assistance from was flown back to Mt. Cook Village where

TH
mtn guide . St. Johns staff, Twizel Doctor worked on him and
he regained conciousness. He was flown by
Westpac Helicopter to Timaru Hospital and

E
admitted into the medical ward.

O
04/05/2016 Arthur River Arthur Valley got caught out by a quickly rising river in the afternoon of 4 tried to find high ground when she realised 4. High Natural

FF
Flooding May 2016. She was turning back to get to Boatshed Hut after she may get caught out by rising waters. Event
evacuation getting worried about river levels but left her run too late. She Unfortunately due to the section of the track she

IC
ended up on a flooded section of the track, worried wet and cold was on (Vertical cliff on one side and river on the
and was unsure if she could proceed further or go back given other; flooded in front and behind her) she could

IA
rapidly rising flood waters. She climbed a tree and set off her PLB not get to higher ground and away from the

L
under instruction from her colleague at Boatshed hut and DOC staff flooding.
monitoring the situation. The tree was climbed at 1700 the

IN
helicopter arrived at approx.1815 where she was picked up via She climbed a small tree and pushed her PLB. All
scoop net. Her colleague at boat shed was retrieved after this and the wile she was in communication with her

FO
then flown back to Te Anau to arrive around 1910. colleague (all afternoon) and DOC - from 1630
onwards on VHF radio. Radio comms were

R
intermittent from 1730 - 1815 possibly due to

M
water damage and/or poor reception in the area.

AT
01/04/2016 RSI in Hands Mahaanui Sore muscle on both right and left arms and sore fingers/ wrists. Talked to Manager and Safety and Wellbeing 4. High Office
Christchurch Started off in right arm only, then progressively became worse. Team. They have recommended a hand physio and Equipment

IO
Now struggle to do tasks with right arm outside of work. Left installing workpace on the computer to ensure
arm/hand not as bad as right. micro breaks are occurring. Also looking at

N
swapping mouse hands

AC
T
30/08/2016 Broken leg Mokaihaha Clearing and trimming tracks for bait lines. Walking down slope and walked to area to make 4. High Slips/Trips/F
Ecoligical tripped, rolled a short distance, realised serious incident so stayed communication with Rotorua Office to instigate alls

R
Area there. walked to meet to instigate evacuation. emergency services and returned to the patient.

EL
There was no communications at the site, the
She was not moved and made warm and comfortable, used her satellite telephone did not work and had to

EA
emergency blanket. walk to higher ground (about 60m) to
communicate with base.

SE
Police, ambulance and search and rescue were
despatched for evacuation, with helicopter

D
transport to Rotorua Hospital.

U
18/12/2015 Fall on Timber Trail Stepped on loose rock which moved. Fell down bank and hit head ??? 4. High Slips/Trips/F

N
Timber Trail alls

D
Cyclist arrived on scene and activated personal

ER
locator beacon. Phillips Rescue helicopter from
Hamilton tasked with this incident. Injured person
transported to Waikato Hospital.

TH
16/12/2015 Broken ankle Kokowai During a stoat trap replacement run on the Kokowai Track in contacted at the 4. High Slips/Trips/F
Track, Egmont National Park. a staff member stepped on some tussock, office, then rang the police. Two Neurofen alls

E
Egmont however there was a gutter hidden by the tussock which she ended were given and checked that warm clothes
National Park up stepping into. This caused pain in her ankle and they assumed it were available. The police authorised the Taranaki

O
was either sprained or broken. Rescue Helicopter. It was confirmed that the staff

FF
member was winched into the helicopter and on
her way to Taranaki Base Hospital at 3.22pm.

IC
IA
30/03/2015 fall in to Sky Farm and I walked through a cut over pine plantation to assess We fully exposed the hole which was approx 1m 4. High Slips/Trips/F
tomo Pikikiruna wilding pine densities and control options. I walked in front of across and the vertical shaft about 5 meters deep. alls

L
over rotten pine slash when my left leg suddenly We decided that the area was too dangerous for

IN
disappeared into a hole. My upper body landed on the other side of DoC staff to work in and we propose to control any
the hole and I was lucky that I could pull myself out without wilding pines by aerial spraying if funding was

FO
sustaining any injury. made available

R
01/06/2016 Mine shaft Hokitika - PCL boundary check with miner to avoid incursion of mine activities Shaft entrance cleared so that it could be easily 4. High Slips/Trips/F
near miss Stafford into PCL. in open scrub / Pakahi seen and avoided, marked GPS waypoint, marked alls

M
(c.2m high) with bracken and low fern ground cover. stepped with danger tape around entire entrance

AT
into entrance of vertical mine shaft that was hidden by vegetation / circumference.
ground cover. Shaft dimensions - 1m x 0.5m by c.7m deep.

IO
Managed to prevent fall into shaft by falling backwards and
grabbed shoulder (Note; probably would not have fallen into

N
shaft without shoulder grab as falling backwards prevented this).

AC
T
17/04/2015 Rolled Ankle Tongariro This group undertook the Tongariro Northern Circuit as a team The sequence of events went as follows: 4. High Slips/Trips/F
Northern building expedition from 17/19 April. alls

R
Circuit 2.10pm T fell

EL
The team had an H&S plan prepared prior to departure and
in N.O was our point of contact. The group had a full 2.10pm Group regathered

EA
briefing by in the Whakapapa Visitor Centre
prior to departure. 2.15pm sent up hill

SE
2.25pm sounded the Personal Locater Beacon
after noting that had not found phone

D
reception

U
3:15 with one of the party showing signs of

N
exposure to the cold and with in a stable

D
state the decision was made for to take

ER
on to the Oturere Hut to keep
them moving and warm.

TH
(Timings from here are approximate but within 5-
10 minutes)

E
The group departed from the Mangatapopo car park at 9.30am and
visited the Mangatopopo hut before carrying onto to re-group at 3.30pm out to Oturere

O
Soda Springs. The group then headed up to the saddle arriving and Hut, 1.30 walk from the site.

FF
re-grouping at approx 2.00pm.
3.50pm Helicopter arrived, brief handover to

IC
Due to low temperatures (-2*C )and strong winds (40 to 80 KMPH) medical personal by Ross
the group remained close together supporting each other over the

IA
summit and along the ridge line. 3.50pm On hearing the helicopter arrive,
descend and re-group with

L
The incident then occurred at 2.25pm on Friday 17 April, at the

IN
Emerald Lakes of the eastern side of Mt Tongariro. 3.55pm airlifted out

FO
Approximate site of incident 4.00pm walked onto
Oturere Hut taking care to ensure they were

R
twisted her right ankle and fell on the slope while focused on a safe exit from the mountain.

M
taking a photograph. is an experienced tramper, has guided
tour groups in environments such as this for many years.She was 5.00pm arrived safely at

AT
not doing anything risky, rather this was an unfortunate accident. Oturere Hut. Advised Hut Ranger of estimated time
of arrival for the remainder of our group and had a

IO
04/02/2016 Near miss - Narrows While attending leadership training for the Pilot Implementation I I reported the near miss verbally to the senior 4. High Structure
plate glass Landing, walked into a full length plate glass door going from the training managers on site. , one of the

N
door Hamilton room to the balcony. I did not realise there was a door as there presenters of the course arranged with the
was no marking on the glass and it was very clean. I did not hurt manager of the venue for tape to be put across the

AC
myself and there was no damage to the glass. plate glass door I had walked into plus three other
plate glass doors that led on to the balcony.

T
03/09/2015 Hopuruahine Waikaremoa On the 3/9 the four persons walked from Waiharuru Hut towards Information was communicated to TUT and DOC 4. High Structure
Swing Bridge na Great Hopuruahine end of Great Walk. The four persons arrived at approx staff.

R
Failure Walk Track, 12:35 at Hopuruahine Swing Bridge. All walked onto Bridge close

EL
Te Urewera together with last person filming using go pro camera on a selfie A3 signs made & laminated saying Hopuruahine
stick. As they reached the middle of the bridge from the GW side of Swing Bridge Closed for urgent repairs with map of

EA
the swing bridge the top cable on the GW side of the swing bridge bridge location. Additional A4 sign made giving
broke causing 3 of the 4 in the party to fall est 8-10 metres off the details of boat pick up from Whanganui Hut at 1pm

SE
bridge into the river with their packs on. The 3 swam/waded out of each day. A3 signs made for Hopuruahine road end
the river to the river edge & up onto the road end. The first person saying Hopuruahine Swing Bridge Impassable and
did not fall into the water & managed to walk off the bridge to the closed till further notice. Go to Waikaremoana

D
road end safely. Holiday Park for boat transfer to Whanganui Hut.

U
Water Taxi operator came across the party of 4 at The site itself has had waratahs, tape & mesh

N
the road end. Who then transported the party to Aniwaniwa Field taken to close off both ends of the bridge to secure

D
Base. On arrival the four persons were introduced to the site for pending investigation.

ER
and staff who checked them over and took their details. Upon
ascertaining that all 4 were physically alright was
asked to take the 4 back to Big Bush Holiday Park provide them

TH
accommodation for the night and to monitor them. No one has
requested medical attention, however they and has

E
been advised by phone that if medical attention is required that
TUT/DOC will pay for any medical expenses.

O
19/08/2015 Possible Te Kuiti Screwing bracket onto wall for fire extinguisher and screwed Contractor was told not to place there and find 4. High Structure

FF
electrocution Workshop through the wire cable capping hitting the live wire and tripping appropriate spot.Then the mains were switched off
fuse on the mains box.Which the contractor had not noticed until and electrician was contacted to fix damaged

IC
staff told him to stop what he was doing immediately. wires.

IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
09/08/2016 Fireplace Te Paki was staying at Te Paki House to undertake work at Radar Turned lights on and opened up all the windows 4. High Structure
dampener Bush. . and doors so the smoke could get out of room. It

R
not working All 4 slept on mattresses on the floor in the lounge. The doors into was after this that we noticed that the fire alarm

EL
correctly the lounge were closed. had failed to go off. tried to phone the
Security Company because he thought it may have

EA
Lights in lounge turned off around 2200 hrs and fire dampened been a silent alarm and they were meant to ring
down. but couldn't find their number.

SE
Approximately 0030 hrs one of woke up so Next day J informed
settled her back to sleep and re-stoked the fire. There was a smell Manager).

D
of smoke but we thought this was from opening the door. Lying

U
there we noticed the smell of smoke becoming stronger and At meeting on 15 August the incident was
stronger. flicked her phone on and noticed the whole room was discussed and an action was made to ensure the

N
fill of smoke and shining it by the fireplace noticed smoke pouring procedure for re-setting the alarm was clear and

D
out of the top and bottom of the fireplace. pasted on the wall next to the alarm in the houses

ER
and office at Te Paki. As on investigation it was
found that the once any alarm has been set off it
needs to be reset before any alarm is able to work

TH
again.

E
was asked to look at the fireplace
the next day as apparently she knew what to look

O
for. Unsure what happened with this.

FF
04/08/2016 School group Kawau A group of students from disembarked the Steinlager The party was escorted from the reserve due to 4. High Vegetation
enters tree Island 2/Explorer yacht at Coppermine Bay, Kawau Island. They the hazard of imminent tree felling. Signage and

IC
felling area. proceeded to walk into the Mansion House Historic Reserve, which danger tape around the reserve was checked to
is currently closed for safety reasons due to tree felling. Tree ensure it was adequate. In the main it was,

IA
felling was about to occur that day. When approached by a ranger, although more danger tape was added in places.

L
the adult in charge of the group said he had seen the signs Note that the supervisor of the party admitted to
indicating the reserve was closed, but had decided to continue past having seen the signage before entering tree-

IN
them regardless. felling area.

FO
29/10/2015 Vehicle near Campsite When leaving the camp ground, trying to pull onto the main road. When up there during the next in a couple of days 4. High Vegetation
miss beside the Visibility for on-comming traffic was minimal/none, due to large flax will cut back the flax bushes, if possible they

R
cameron bushes being too big. When carefully pulling out contact was will be removed. Note made to staff to be careful
carpark almost made with an oncomming vehicle. about plantings, think about how large they will

M
become in time, this flax was planted there at

AT
some stage.

IO
N
AC
T
28/01/2015 Driving Near Main Road Travelling from Masterton to Wellington. was the Evasive driving action to avoid collison 4. High Vehicles
Miss driver of the Hyundai ix 35.

R
EL
After leaving Featherston and heading along the straights before
the Rimatuka HIll a white Van crossed the centre line and heading

EA
straight for us. Fortunately the van corrected himself at the last
minute and took evasive action and pulled us off the road to

SE
our safety. We gathered out thoughts before continuing.

The driver behind us also pulled up quickly and swerved around us

D
and parked further up the road before continuing their journey.

U
N
D
04/07/2016 Black Ice Unassigned Driving to work Monday morning, 4WD truck and trailer hit black Slowed down. 4. High Vehicles
ice on the Maraenui Hill and skidded across the road.

ER
27/04/2016 Insecure Unassigned Did not strap load on the back of flat deck truck ) causing As soon as noticed tent missing rang 1XX radio 4. High Vehicles
Load BIMS Canvas tent to fall off back between Te Kaha and Opotiki. station to report missing tent.

TH
18/09/2015 Blindspot Wairoa Overtaking another vehicle i failed to see oncoming ute is to refrain from driving any 4. High Vehicles

E
approaching obscured to my view by the driver side pillar , vehicles until investigations pending
passenger warned of approaching vehicle who had effective from today.

O
pulled to the side of their lane , after coming around the overtaken

FF
vehicle the passengers side front and rear wheels stepped off the
seal and came into contact with the metal verge on the front tire

IC
and the grass verge on the rear tyre , i felt the anti skid braking
mechanism shut down the rear tyre immediately correcting the

IA
swerve and the vehicles trajectory

L
31/05/2016 Wheel fell off Motuora The rear left wheel came off the Kubota tractor this afternoon stopped using the Kubota immediately and 4. High Vehicles

IN
Kubota Island whilst mowing on top of the island. This was the bolt and nut I contacted . Left the tractor on the top of
fitted previously when I was on the island. the hill ready for replacement parts. also

FO
advised that there is an issue with the hand brake,
but it is ok to use in the flat area of the

R
campground. not to use

M
the Kubota at all on any step sections, particularly
in the wet or if she feels unsafe at all.

AT
explained that a review of the island is currently
underway which includes upgrading the

IO
equipment/machinery.

N
AC
T
29/04/2015 Collision Albert St, was on her way to an EAP appointment. I took my bike Taxi driver stopped immediately and got out on 4. High Vehicles
between a Auckland rather than walking. Overtaking 2 taxis on right hand side when the median strip. 2 police officers observed the

R
taxi and a CBD leading taxi decided to move right on to the median strip, unaware accident and arrived very quickly and directed taxi

EL
bicycle of my presence on his right hand side. I hit his right rear door. And to left side of road and me to right side of the
fell onto my left knee, grazing knee and ripping trousers open. road, where they took details, offered to call an

EA
Bike handle bars were twisted but were straightened and no other ambulance (which I declined), and provided first
damage observed. aid. Fortunately I had allowed an extra 10 minutes

SE
to spare and arrived at my appointment only 5
mins late. Then I returned back to the office on
my bicycle an hour later.

D
17/08/2016 Sun Strike Paradise Slowed down at intersection. Vision was impaired by the suns rays Pulled over to side of road safely, as did the driver 4. High Vehicles

U
incident Valley Road which were in line with the main highway obstructing view of road of the truck and trailer unit. Both exited the

N
ahead. Proceeded to turn onto main highway only to find a truck vehicles and proceeded to have a discussion of the

D
and trailer unit close behind. Slowed down and pulled over event that occurred.

ER
immediately.
I was very apologetic about the event, and the
driver of the truck was very understanding noting

TH
that he realised that I might not have seen him due
to sun strike occurring.

E
When proceeding to exchange details the truck

O
driver was not willing to give his details or take
mine, only saying that he was satisfied that I had

FF
stopped to see if he was alright.

IC
The truck driver then entered his vehicle and left

IA
the area. I too did the same after some time.
24/08/2015 Potential SH 4 south Driving south from Taumarunui, just passed through Owhango on Witnessed vehicle was attempting to overtake, 4. High Vehicles

L
vehicle head of Owhango way to Health and Safety Meeting, long stretch of straight road was pulled off road, stopped, waited for vehicle to come

IN
on collision ending and I was approaching a right turn with a down hill grade past truck. Continued on to Raetihi. Spoke about
with on coming traffic coming towards me or heading Northbound. incident to other staff at Hui, once back at

FO
The first vehicle I noticed was a large truck and trailer unit coming Taumarunui, entered incident into Risk Manager.
uphill and entering the corner. There were other cars behind the

R
truck, a car pulled out from behind the truck to overtake. I

M
witnessed the whole movement of that vehicle, so was able to
anticipate that vehicles actions and that a collision would of been

AT
the resulting factor and pulled off the road to the side to wait for
the overtaking vehicle to pass. The truck and other traffic slowed.

IO
N
AC
T
13/01/2016 Vehicle near 20 kms I was driving GGS with the Poo trailer traveling back to MCV on Evasive action 4. High Vehicles
miss south of 13th January 2015 .

R
Geraldine

EL
I was about 20km from Geraldine traveling towards Farlie the time
was 3.30 pm I was traveling between 80/90 kph .

EA
As I rounded a corner a tourist towing a Campervan lost control

SE
just as he passed me traveling in the opposite direction.

I took abrasive action and swerved to the left, the out of control

D
vehicle just missed the DOC ute and Poo trailer.

U
I saw in the rear view mirror the campervan and vehicle spinning

N
out of control and crashing into a Deer Fence.

D
ER
I found a suitable place to turn around and went back to assist the
Tourist driver.

TH
(All occupants were fine just shaken up I would say that the rental
vehicle would be written as it sustained major damage)

E
16/08/2016 Trailer Dunedin Attached trailer to vehicle with safety chain and coupling then Tested coupling which was working correctly. 4. High Vehicles
damaging workshop loaded the trailer with its load of concrete and signs. I drover out of

O
rear of workshop down the vehicle ramp with the intention of tightening

FF
vehicle load straps and checking coupling before heading out onto the
road. As the vehicle descended ramp the trailer came off the

IC
towball and damaged the rear of the vehicle. The coupling was
closed with safety latch in place. I reattached the trailer and tested

IA
the coupling by winding up the jockey wheel. The coupling held

L
fast.

IN
03/07/2015 Head on Stae We were returning from locking the gate at Te Papanui travelling DOC vehicle ended up in a ditch the other vehicle 4. High Vehicles
crash Highway One along State Highway One between Waihola and Allanton when we ended up on the edge of the road. The two

FO
Dunedin collided with an on coming vehicle. vehicles ended up 80 metres apart. A bystander
managed to open the DOC vehicle door so we

R
could get out. Had to cut the passenger
seat belt to get her out. We waited on the side of

M
the road for emergency services. other people

AT
were attending to the people in the other car.

IO
N
AC
T
30/09/2015 Quad Bike Nikau Palm When operating a quad loaded with tools on the rear and his pack checked himself over to make sure he was 4. High Vehicles
Rollover Gulley Track, with chainsaw helmet sitting on top of pack on front of quad, all right (he had slight bruising and a very minor

R
Banks put the quad into low 4WD to negotiate a couple of slips he had graze to left wrist and stings from Onga-onga to

EL
Peninsula earlier cleared to get quad through. right forearm). He then checked the quad and
turned the ignition off.

EA
As came through an area of rockfall debris where a very
large (5m x 3m x 2m) slab of rock had fallen over the track and Quad was in a stable position. Took photos of the

SE
was still lying just below the track, the chainsaw helmet moved and site and then walked 1 km to a point where could
took his hand of the handlebar to grab it. get cell phone coverage and reported the incident
to the Acting Operations manager, .

D
It appears that the left hand wheel/s of the quad then hit a rock

U
standing 300-400mm on the track. The rock may have moved to Quad was retrieved with use of another quad and
form a ramp which caused the quad to tip over. turfa winch.

N
D
The quad ended up upside down and at right angles to the track

ER
with the front carrier and toolbox sitting on the outside of the edge
of the track. The rear of the quad was partially supported by the
'life guard' roll protection and rock slab. was in a hole clear

TH
of the quad.
05/08/2015 Godley Head Godley Head After leaving the Godley Head car park to return to Sumner, I immediately got out of the truck to see if 4. High Vehicles

E
Bike Road following an inspection of reported damage by vandals, I had had been hurt. was in the process of
driven approximately 1.5 kilometres from the car park along the standing up and I asked him if he was all right and

O
Godley Head road, had just lowered the sun visor when very whether had he been injured in any way. He

FF
suddenly out of the sunlight I saw a cyclist appear (recognised as replied that he was ok and no damage had been
). He seemed to be riding in the middle of the done to him. Regardless I checked him over to

IC
road. I took immediate evasive action and turned the truck make sure he was ok. I then made sure his bike
towards the right hand side of the road and applied the brakes as was ok, which it appeared to not have been

IA
hard as I possibly could. also turned in the same direction damaged, and then I checked the truck for damage

L
so he was then at right angles to the front of the truck. I could not and found none.
turn any further to the right, as I would have dropped over the

IN
edge of the road, (drops 100 meters down to the sea). I managed

FO
to bring the truck to a stop but was unable to avoid clipping the
back wheel of bike. Both he and the bike slid down the
front drivers side guard coming to rest on the edge of the road.

R
M
10/08/2016 Vehicle Pembroke Slid on ice while driving down the road from Stratford Plateau on Ensured no injuries to any parties. Moved other 4. High Vehicles

AT
accident - Road, Mt Taranaki. Slid sideways across centre line into another vehicle, party's car off the road and away from a corner.
slid on ice Stratford damaging both vehicles. Then slowly drove DOC vehicle 600m down the

IO
road to a carpark for safety. Organised tow truck to
pick up both vehicles.

N
AC
T
31/03/2015 Load lost Between Whilst travelling from DOC Te Whanga to Boundary Stream, the I searched the highway between the Kiwi Creche 4. High Vehicles
from trailer Napier and Selecta spray tank and pump was lost off the trailer. The tank and Te Whanga three times, and also

R
Lake contained 100l of water, but no chemical, and had been triple- checked the state highway as far as the summit

EL
Opouahi rinsed as-per requirements after its last use. above White Pine Bush. No sign of the tank, nor
Scenic any debris were located.

EA
Reserve ===
The search of the road from Tutira to the Kiwi

SE
What happened: Creche was very thorough and I was able to stop
and check down banks on likely corners, etc. The
The tank was attached to the bike after cleaning yesterday and left state highway was more difficult to search

D
ready for use today. On loading the bike onto the trailer this effectively as the stopping places are limited, and

U
morning, I checked the tightness of the strops securing the tank, most of the highway was searched only by driving
and checked that there was no movement in the tank, but I did by. The most likely spots at Tonagio and Devils

N
not check whether the strops had been attached to the bike in the Elbow were also searched on foot.

D
usual manner/locations or differently.

ER
I reported the incident to Napier Police (Bay View
The tank is not visible to the driver whilst driving. was unattended) in case the tank was found by
someone. This was done to let them know a) of

TH
On arriving at the Kiwi Creche I discovered that the tank was the loss, and b) that the tank contained only water.
missing. The strop that normally holds the tank was still present,

E
but had become partially detached - either before or after the loss My belief is that either: a) the tank has already
of the tank. The hose and reel were still on the bike and plastic been removed by somebody who found it beside

O
elbow connecting the hose to the pump had broken. the road, or b) it is down a bank somewhere off

FF
the state highway. The latter seems less likely due
to the presence of crash barriers along the most

IC
likely sections of the highway.

IA
23/08/2016 No radio Puketi Forest noted a vehicle entering Pirau rd via the locked gate. I Contacted at PFT to followup on this 4. High Vehicles
comms identified the vehicle as belonging to contract trapper

L
for PFT. No radio calls were heard so attempted to contact

IN
who was working at the Pukatea track entrance to
advise of another vehicle on road but could not contact them. All

FO
calls on channel 2 which is designated channel for Pirau rd calls.
Just before 3pm I noticed truck driving out from the Pirau

R
gate again had heard no radio calls.

M
30/03/2016 Truck & LUV Kauri Coast On the morning of the 30th March 2016 I was tasked to drop To ensure there was know collision with the LUV I 4. High Vehicles

AT
incident off up at the Coach rd. I also had riding with swerved hard to the left driving over the driveway.
me and on the return trip to Trounson Park an LUV came driving The speed I was traveling at the time was 20km as

IO
out of a blind driveway and I had to swerve away from the vehicle I had just finished negotiating an S bend which
so as not to collide with her. slowed the vehicle down.

N
AC
T
22/09/2016 Asleep at Motueka was driving back from Nelson and drifted off to sleep. Passenger grabbed the steerig wheel 4. High Vehicles
wheel The passenger noticed the vehicle drifting into the on coming lane and pulled the vehicle back into the correct lane

R
and reached over and grabbed the wheel to bring the vehicle back

EL
into the correct lane. Incident took place on the Nelson side of
Motueka just past the Mariri bridge

EA
16/02/2016 Tractor Near SH63 Power steering stopped working, make tractor difficult to steer. Tagged & had mechanic assess. 4. High Vehicles

SE
hit
16/03/2016 Close call Awatere Driving up Awatere to deliver new water taker which was being Staff member stopped and checked load and trailer 4. High Vehicles
towed trailer. Road towed, vehicle coming down valley cut corner coming very close to connections, other vehicle didn't stop

D
collecting trailer. Staff member ended up in grassed water table.

U
N
D
08/12/2015 Mountain Kirwins Track fell off mountain bike and sustained grazes while Continued a little more cautiously. 4. High Vehicles
Bike Fall returning from inspecting Kirwins Hut.

ER
15/05/2015 Car on Blue Pools Travelling back from Cameron Flat in vehicle, I came around corner I veered onto the right side of road as there was 4. High Vehicles
wrong side car park towards Blue Pools car park and saw a car driving along car park no oncoming traffic and sounded the horn while

TH
of road Makarora towards me looking like they were going to pull in beside other narrowly missing them. they veered back into car
parked cars. I started slowing down because I was suspicious of park then continued driving back onto wrong side

E
the way they were driving. Then they pulled straight out in front of of road.

O
me driving on the wrong side of the road towards me.

FF
IC
IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
01/06/2016 Car accident SH6, near Driving at night in a DOC vehicle from Te Anau to Police notified and statement given. They said 4. High Vehicles
Dipton Invercargill with (front passenger) and they'd arrange towing the car.

R
(rear passenger). On SH6 a few km south of Dipton, a large female

EL
deer walked into the road from the left. I was travelling about Office manager notified to deal with
85km/h at the time - going carefully due to cold conditions. insurance and car repair.

EA
I only saw the deer when it was about 10-20m in front of the car,

SE
so had very little time to reach. I braked hard and swerved slightly,
but the deer hit the front left of the car. Its head hit the window in
front of the passenger seat, and smashed a fist-sized hole,

D
showering Deidre in glass. No one was injured.

U
The car was not driveable after the incident. I pulled it off the road,

N
and we also killed the deer (it was not dead) and moved it off the

D
road (onto a passing farmer's truck).

ER
The deer was a farm animal (tag in its left ear - RF9?). About 1km
further south on SH6 there was a herd of cows on the road. Police

TH
were in attendance there, and we gave a statement to them.

E
We got a lift home with a passing DOC colleague.

O
FF
12/03/2015 ATV Rollover Mason Bay Driving an ATV with trailer attached up a steep section of dune The ATV was righted and all gear was thoroughly 4. High Vehicles
(approx 4m high) I was unable to keep the Quad from veering to checked over

IC
the left and across the face of the dune. I stopped the bike and
could not balance it from rolling, I got off and let go, the bike and

IA
trailer rolled landing upside down approx 2.5m, down hill. No

L
damage to the bike or myself happened.

IN
29/11/2016 Oncoming Queenstown- Staff member was driving towards Queenstown from Glenorchy, She was driving well under the speed limit due to 4. High Vehicles
vehicle on Glenorchy coming up to the lookout on the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road. As driving up a hill and coming into a tight corner. She

FO
wrong side Road she turned around the last corner before the lookout an oncoming saw the vehicle heading towards her in the lane
of road vehicle was coming towards her in the southbound lane she was she was travelling in with enough time and

R
travelling in. This vehicle was overtaking a large tour bus that was distance to slow down. The other vehicle had time
stopped at the lookout/or was pulling out onto the road from the to return to their correct lane and no collision

M
lookout and was blocking the northbound lane. occurred.

AT
06/10/2016 Vehicle Near Glenorchy Driving near Glenorchy Intersection vehicle pulled in front of DOC Heavy braking required to avoid collision - horn 4. High Vehicles

IO
Miss staff member sounded

N
17/08/2016 Missed Unassigned Driving past Diamond Lake, car pulled out from picnic area almost Slammed on horn to let other driver know accident 4. High Vehicles
collision causing driving accident. Heavy braking needed to avoid certain was narrowly missed.

AC
(driving) collision. Honked horn, then vehicle in question stopped in middle
of the road. Vehicles then continued on their way.

T
11/03/2016 near miss- Route burn Driving back to the field base from the field along the gravel section Heavy braking was required to avoid a collision. 4. High Vehicles
vehicle Rd, of Route Burn Rd, encountered an oncoming vehicle on the

R
collision Glenorchy wrong side of the road. The oncoming vehicle was undertaking an

EL
overtaking manoeuver on a corner approaching a rise in the road
with limited visibility. Heavy braking was required to avoid a

EA
collision.

20/04/2016 Steering Springs Returning to Greymouth after working in Maruia valley driving Not able to correct or repair the defect, and did 4. High Vehicles

SE
failure Junction Toyota Land noticed the steering was not as not want to leave the vehicle on the roadside in a
Area responsive as he would expect it to be and it felt a little heavy. He remote area particularly due to the fact that

D
pulled over to the road edge and gave the vehicle a quick check agrichemicals were on board so the team decided
noting the 4wd hubs were still engaged. He unlocked these and it was best to slowly drive the vehicle back to a

U
turned the steering wheel a few times with the engine running and safe site at the doc house at Springs junction.

N
the power steering in operation. He then drove on towards

D
Greymouth. Les felt the steering had a degree of slackness when The vehicle was then taken to Lewis Pass service

ER
turning a left hand corner so called the occupants of another station where repairs were carried out.
vehicle that was heading back to Greymouth. He had difficulty
contacting them but shortly after his call they had stopped and

TH
were waiting on the roadside We once again checked the steering,
applying back and forward motion to the steering wheel. who

E
was checking the steering components under the vehicle noticed a
lot of play in the left steering arm which is part of the bottom

O
steering knuckle assembly. A closer inspection revealed that three

FF
of the four bolts holding the arm had disappeared

IC
21/09/2015 Vehicle Rahu Saddle, After completing tracking tunnel monitoring work at 2pm was able to restart the vehicle and move it off 4. High Vehicles
incident on Springs packed his gear up at Springs Junction and drove towards the road. then picked up his belongings which

IA
Rahu Saddle Junction Greymouth at approxiamately 2:15pm in his personal vehicle. were strewn across the road. Passing traffic
needed to be in Greymouth by 5pm to meet a staff member of the stopped and lent a hand and also administered first

L
team to arrange moving into his new aid to cuts on hands and arms. A pair of

IN
residence. While travelling down from the Rahu Saddle towards tourists then gave a ride back to Reefton where
reefton was distracted and his vehicle veered off the road onto he met another DoC employee. The two then

FO
the verge. Realising what was happening over corrected and travelled back to the scene to clear any further
the vehicle veered across the road into the oncoming lane before belongings from the vehicle. At approximately 5pm

R
over correcting again and end up rolling twice before ending the Reefton police turned up and tested for

M
upright on the road. blood alcohol before taking him back to the Station
for further questioning(police report to be

AT
obtained). was released from the station at
approximately 7:30pm.

IO
N
AC
T
20/12/2016 Oncoming Otira Driving down SH 73 around the corner at Windy Point heading I had to slow down almost to a stop to avoid the 4. High Vehicles
vehicle on towards Otira I came upon a people mover driving uphill on the oncoming car and they moved back into their own

R
wrong side wrong side of the road opposite the downhill passing bay. They lane once they realised their mistake. We were

EL
of road appeared to have got confused by the downhill passing bay and both moving relatively slowly so there was plenty
were driving in the "middle" lane. of time to react and take corrective action.

EA
03/02/2016 ED: Dosed State dosed off at the wheel of the Colorado ) while Self corrected, Passenger asked if driver ok and 4. High Vehicles

SE
off at the Highway 6, driving along the road between the Whataroa Township and Lake they then carried on to the next campground.
wheel near Lake Wahapo.
Wahapo

D
12/05/2015 Near collision Rear car I was walking through the car park at the rear of the building I reported the incident to our admin team, who 4. High Vehicles
on foot with park, towards the back door. As I made my way around the parked advised me to tell a Health and Safety

U
motorcycle Moorhouse Departmental cars across the car park, a woman on a motorcycle Representative about it. The Health and Safety

N
Avenue came around the corner from the side alleyway at a reasonably fast Representative then advised me to enter the

D
office speed. She noticed me only at the last moment and had to apply incident into Risk Manager, and that she would

ER
her brakes, I had to jump out of the way. She then continued take the issue to the next meeting.
around the back of the building next door.

10/05/2016 Slow Auckland I was leaving work - needed to take vehicle home for early start to I had to accelerate quickly to avoid oncoming 4. High Vehicles

TH
response of travel to Hamilton. When I tried to merge with traffic on Stanley traffic. From that point onwards I was aware of this
Skoda Street the engine had a delayed response to acceleration. This vehicle engine behaviour and made sure I had a

E
Octavia created an narrow gap for merging but I was already half entered larger gap for merging than I would normally

O
when taking into the lane of traffic so had to accelerate quickly to avoid determine as safe for driving.
off oncoming traffic. I had not driven the Octavia for some time and

FF
the nature of the engine going into a hibernation momentarily was
a hazard for safe driving in Auckland traffic.

IC
27/06/2015 Near Miss - Arthur's Pass Water leaking through light fittings in First Aid Room from probable Light switches covered over. Hot water cylinder 5. Extreme Office

IA
Electrocution Visitor burst hot water cylinder breathing pipe due to ice and snow on turned off. Plumber and electrician notified. Equipment
Centre roof.

L
IN
05/12/2016 Unsafe Omanawa Went to overtake a slow traveling vehicle on a 100km road. Pulled Braked & came to standstill. Pulled over to side of 5. Extreme Vehicles
overtaking Road out to pass however did not see an oncoming vehicle (concealed by road and had conversation about incident with

FO
large dip in road at the time of assessing whether to pass or not.) senior ranger who was following in vehicle behind.
As I pulled out and was parallel with the vehicle I was overtaking The oncoming vehicle immediately continued on

R
the oncoming vehicle appeared. Both my vehicle and the oncoming with their travel.
vehicle both braked coming to a halt opposite one another. The

M
vehicle traveling immediately behind me was following at a safe

AT
distance and was able to stop safely. There was a truck behind this
vehicle however which was not in 'the line' of traffic and traveling

IO
at a faster speed. The truck driver had to brake harder resulting in
skid marks to the road.

N
AC
T
27/07/2015 Hangatiki SH 3 1.2 km I was driving south towards Te Kuiti. The vehicle was a Toyota As I had been given a fright I pulled over to the 5. Extreme Vehicles
Driving Near south of HiLux. When I came out of the bend 1.2 km south of Hangatiki a side of the road in safe place and turned off the

R
Miss Hangatiki car was driving towards me on the wrong of the road. This gave vehicle ignition and used the time to calm down. 2

EL
me a fright. I prepared to pull right over to the left and off the road minutes later I was in a happier state to drive and
but the on coming car must have seen me and pulled back on to continued my journey.

EA
the correct side of the road.

12/11/2015 Near miss Kaiawa Turn- Ahead of on the road, a large horticultural contractor's tractor Slowed down and pulled over in safe bay to avoid 5. Extreme Vehicles

SE
with Tractor off, Kaiawa was being passed by a loaded logging truck and trailer on blind oncoming traffic.
and two corner. Another empty logging truck was passing in opposite

D
logging direction. The loaded truck swerved to avoid the oncoming
trucks unloaded truck nearly wiping out tractor. If tractor had been hit,

U
would have been caught in a serious accident. This did not

N
occur and no harm was caused to anyone, but it was very close.

D
ER
11/11/2015 Tourist on Trounson observed tourist driving in camper van on wrong side tried to stop them though tourist didn't 5. Extreme Vehicles
wrong side Park Road of Trounson Park Road going towards Dargaville. react. called Kauri Coast office to inform

TH
of road and pass on message to the Kauri Coast Top Ten
Holiday Park. Called owner of Kauri Coast Top Ten
Holiday Park and she went outside to warn other

E
traffic on the road and trying to stop camper van.

O
By the time the tourists passed her site they had
corrected themselves.

FF
IC
IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
21/01/2016 Ford Focus Kaikoura, Ford (DOC vehicle) stalling at especially dangerous 5. Extreme Vehicles
stalling right turn off times. The three below incidents all relate to stalls with this car

R
during right SH1 onto the and all could have resulted in an accident involving multiple cars

EL
turn across Esplanade and potential fatalities.
traffic (SH 1)

EA
1. Driving from the DOC office on Ludstone Rd to I-site in town, at
the turn off to the Esplanade, I yielded to oncoming traffic and then

SE
went to turn right. This turn is across SH 1 and at a point where
you can't see further than about 100 m down the road. The speed
limit is 50 but often vehicles, including huge transport trucks can

D
come through quite quickly. Consequently, it can be a tricky turn to

U
make, waiting for a safe window to make the right turn, and then a
truck might come around the corner quite quickly. On this

N
particular day I stalled making this turn, although I have been

D
driving manual cars and trucks since I was 16 and know how to

ER
drive them. So, I sort of coasted around the turn, potentially
leaving me in the path of other vehicles coming around the corner
and broadsiding me. In addition, the car operates such that when it

TH
stalls the driver needs to turn the key all the way off and all the way
on again for it to restart. Precious seconds in a potentially very

E
dangerous situation.

O
2. This same incident has also occurred in other places with this car

FF
with me as the driver, in particular it has happened a couple of
times making the right turn from SH1 onto Ludstone Rd. Again,

IC
there is a yield as you wait for a gap in the traffic coming under the
bridge and around the corner (50 m visibility?), and again the car

IA
has stalled on me making this turn. The car seems to require a lot
of gas to not stall in first, so a slower more careful turn results in

L
stalling?

IN
3. October 16, 2016 while in Picton for work, I had the car stall on

FO
me while making right turn from SH1 onto Broadway (I think I
remember this correctly). Same situation as above but not so busy.

R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T
17/08/2015 Ice Black Eketahuna While was driving from Masterton to work in Palmerston Didn't brake, steered straight until through the ice. 5. Extreme Vehicles
North. He hit black ice and lost control of his vehicle.

R
extensive experience driving on back country

EL
There was a heavy frost after rain during the night. From and gravel roads meant he had the skill to deal
Masterton to Eketahuna there was ice on the road in patches. with the situation.

EA
was aware of the condition and was travelling at 70km
approaching a bridge (not the normal 95-100km). When on the Since the incident The CS LNI Planning team have

SE
bridge he hit a patch of ice and lost control of the vehicle. Kept now in place a policy to delay travel when these
the vehicle going straight and fish tailed a bit before getting past conditions are present, and/ or work from the
the ice and re gaining control. did cross the centre line. Masterton office.

D
There was a truck was coming in the opposite direction and it was

U
about 100m away when control regained and got back to
right side of the road.

N
D
The Vehicle was a 4WD hilux ute there were no other

ER
occupants.

TH
E
O
FF
IC
IA
L
IN
FO
R
M
AT
IO
N
AC
T