Tourism operator thl has announced the appointment of Shannon Corkill as the new Discover Waitomo environmental manager.
The Discover Waitomo group operates several tourism experiences in the Waikato region, including the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. and Waitomo Homestead.
As the group’s new environmental manager, Shannon will oversee and lead a team that is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the sustainable management of the cave’s fragile ecosystem as part of a broader environmental programme that Discover Waitomo undertakes. Efforts include comprehensive and real time monitoring of carbon dioxide, water level and cave temperature and airflow, preserving the health of the cave environment and the glowworms that reside in the caves.
“Waitomo Glowworm Caves is an international visitor destination and an important part of New Zealand’s natural heritage. Kaitiakitanga is at the heart of our operations at Discover Waitomo and we recognise that the protection of our precious cave environment is a priority. Shannon will play an integral role in maintaining the caves’ intrinsic values and safeguarding it for future generations.” says Discover Waitomo general manager Travis Donoghue.
Shannon brings a strong scientific background and specialist experience to the Discover Waitomo group. Graduating in 2010 from Massey University with a double major in Biochemisty and Genetics, from there she completed her Honours in Biochemistry with a Thesis project which involved the characterising of breast cancer cell lines that showed low level expressions of HP1 protein. Over the past few years Shannon has worked as a research & development laboratory chemist and scientist.
Shannon comes to Discover Waitomo from Corteva Agriscience, where she has been working as a quality leader since 2017. She will officially commence her role at Discover Waitomo on August 19.
