Pippa Benton
Whangarei
Summary
I am a passionate marine scientist and ocean enthusiast. I have six years of practical experience working as a snorkel guide, PADI Divemaster and humpback whale tour guide in New Zealand and Niue. I can confidently work on boats in rough conditions and guide large groups of people in open water. I have a Bachelor of Science majoring in Marine Biology and Environmental Science. I have assisted marine science research for the University of Auckland and was awarded a 10 week summer research scholarship to study sub-tidal kelp forest dynamics in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. I am currently a Marine Advocacy Connector for Te Kura Moana- Experiencing Marine Reserves. In this role I coordinate and deliver snorkelling programs for schools, community groups and hapu (Māori groups) in Northland, New Zealand.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Snorkel Guide and Divemaster
Dive! Tutukaka
11.2018 - 04.2023
- Deckhand experience- proficient at setting anchor lines, driving a tender boat and tying boat knots- on boats up to 24m and capacity of 75 customers
- Performed guided snorkel and SCUBA dive tours for customers in temperate water (18-21 degrees celsius)
- Positively and energetically served hospitality and safety needs of customers both in and out of water
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Experience in underwater and surface photography
Divemaster and Humpback Whale Guide
Niue Blue
06.2023 - 11.2023
- Guided underwater certified SCUBA divers up to three times a day
- Guided customers on snorkel with humpback whales
- Driving and reversing a trailer boat on land
- Deckhand duties on a 6m vessel, hooking and unhooking vessels from a crane into the water, tying moorings, experience driving vessels
- Administration, payments and taking of bookings in the dive shop
Marine Advocacy Connector
Te Kura Moana- Experiencing Marine Reserves
11.2023 - Current
- Develop long-lasting partnerships with local leaders and marine scientists, hapū members, management team and peers with active engagement and communication
- Guided groups on community snorkel days and school programs
- Write content for newsletters, social media pages, health and safety plans and scientific reports
- Create and implement community-based programs to educate and inspire local communities
University of Auckland Summer Research Scholarship
University Of Auckland
11.2022 - 02.2023
- Subtidal SCUBA surveying techniques involving the use of quadrat, drop camera and transects
- Assisting the set-up of subtidal carbon sequestration experiments, the use of seaPHETs to measure underwater pH, crayfish surveys and urchin collection on subtidal reefs down to 12m depth.
- Assisting PhD students intertidal fieldwork by taking sediment cores from estuarine habitats, capturing rugosity profiles using a laser line scanner and measuring sediment erodibility using the EROMES.
- Dissections of sea urchins to record and assess the differences between roe size, roe colour, test diameter, parasite content and diet from kina in barrens and kelp forests.
- Extended paid research assistant- updated a scholarly article review of all kelp clearance experiments for an ex masters student to enable them to publish their work (30 hours work)
- Data analysis, statistical testing, scholarly research and report writing to produce a summary report of my 10 week summer research project
Assistant Aquarist
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's
03.2022 - 11.2022
- Performed systems checks and cleaning of tank apparatus and made repairs to equipment malfunctions.
- Fed aquarium animals via surface feeds and SCUBA hand feeds.
- Provided Shark Cage Tours to guests, providing safety briefings and encouraging shark conservation awareness.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology And Environmental Science
University of Auckland
Auckland05.2023
High School Diploma -
Huanui College
Whangarei, NZ12.2019
Skills
- Sub-tidal and intertidal data collection
- Scientific report preparation and writing
- Marine life identification
- Data Analysis
- Time Management
- Project Coordination
Certification
- PADI Divemaster
- New Zealand SCUBA Diver Tourism CoC
- O2 Provider
- First Aid Certified
- Les Mills GRIT instructor
Timeline
Marine Advocacy Connector
Te Kura Moana- Experiencing Marine Reserves
11.2023 - Current
Divemaster and Humpback Whale Guide
Niue Blue
06.2023 - 11.2023
University of Auckland Summer Research Scholarship
University Of Auckland
11.2022 - 02.2023
Assistant Aquarist
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's
03.2022 - 11.2022
Snorkel Guide and Divemaster
Dive! Tutukaka
11.2018 - 04.2023
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology And Environmental Science
University of Auckland
High School Diploma -
Huanui College
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