The Chronicle Q&A: Rosie Mertz talks tuatara encounters, green tea and effective altruism

In those days I worked alongside a graduate student and you had to kind of throw your hands at them.

This is a scary task and you need to overcome the fear that it will bite you – you have to be fast.

So I was walking through the bush alone, trying to find a tuatara to catch, and I came across a male. We didn’t need any males, but I thought if I tried to catch him, I’d get some good practice.

The moment I decided to catch him, we looked at each other and he ran towards me. I think he wanted to bite my toes.

It was as if he knew I was going to make the decision to catch him and said, “No.”

What is your order at the cafe?

I am an absolute green tea fan. Green tea – sounds a little silly – but with a splash of almond milk. This is cool. You should try it.

What’s your ideal Sunday?

Of course it would start with a cup of green tea, maybe a dip in cold water, followed by maybe a yoga class or a morning rave – I love going out dancing.

Then I like to walk around our garden and pick flowers. I know I sound like a grandma, but it’s true.

I like to go to a cafe, sit with a cup of tea and write or draw.

Definitely also (includes) my partner, who is the sweetest person on the planet, so I’d love to spend some time with him.

I would swim too if I had time. I really enjoy jumping into Castlecliff, fighting the waves and getting my nose in the salt water.

Which New Zealand animal is your favorite?

I love eels, both short and long finned. Or I really like kakapo – their crazy mannerisms and unique characteristics.

I mean, it’s a flightless parrot that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

I think this is whoever is the manager of the shelter. And if I had to go back, I don’t know if I would call it a proud moment, but I’m just really grateful that I got to work alongside some really good scientists and researchers and learn a lot from different people. with great ethics towards research. It had a real impact on me.

I also enjoy working alongside people who do completely different things to me – it has (led to) a lot of growth. Solving problems becomes much easier if you have immersed yourself in other subjects such as engineering or design.

What should your ideal food be?

I would choose a forest setting, but a clearing so you can see the stars. I would start a fire and I just love cooking sausages over a fire. Just cooking over a fire is my dream meal – and hopefully someone will make a side dish.

What advice do you have for people who want to be more eco-friendly?

I would encourage people to look at effective altruism. It’s the idea of ​​having the biggest impact.

You could take up recycling and it could have a big impact if we quantify it. Or you could donate money to a charity that invents new ways to solve problems, which could have a greater impact.

It’s the idea that influence is important. It’s not just about doing something, it’s about doing something impressive.

Effective altruism opens up opportunities to support organizations or individuals who (create) truly effective change.

It has a greater impact on what you have. It might just be 15 minutes of your time, or it might not be any money, but you can try to make as much of an impact as possible.

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.