Naomi
Hawkes-Southern

Naomi joined 4Sight in August 2022 as a Terrestrial Ecologist in the Ecology team based in the Auckland office.  With an undergraduate degree in Human Sciences, a multidisciplinary subject investigating the overlapping social, biological and historical functions of human life, Naomi has a deep interest in the ways people interact with and form part of their environment. After a successful first career as a vulnerable persons’ crisis worker and support coach in the UK, Naomi returned to study in 2018 to retrain as an ecologist and fulfil a long-held ambition to work in the sector.

 

Her independent research into bat activity above the intertidal foreshore, as part of her masters study programme, cemented her passion for these cryptic mammals. She continues deepening her knowledge of these fascinating creatures at every opportunity and will be integrating her knowledge of bat mitigation measures and surveying techniques in the UK to the New Zealand context.

 

Naomi also brings with her experience in reptile surveys and translocations to the team, as well as eDNA sampling. Extensive opportunities to survey terrestrial and riparian mammals in the UK means she is skilled at identifying many mammals present in New Zealand as pests by both sight and field sign. She is also skilled in GIS and enjoys utilising its capacity to visually communicate outputs and opportunities to clients and stakeholders.

 

Naomi enjoys bouldering and mountain biking, but most often goes beachcombing with her children as a way to connect with the outdoors.