Letting rocks tell their story

‘‘You can’t be an expert on everything. At GNS we have world leaders in every type of geology so you just have to walk down the corridor or pick up the phone and talk to people.’’

Outside of GNS, Bland has a love of fishing of all kinds and his garden in his Kelson property is home to his collection of many native species including most of the 12 species of pohutukawa and rata, as well as the native orchids and daisies he has found.

For anyone wanting a geology career, Bland says, the choice of university depends on the area of specialisation they might want to go into.

Each have a degree of special focus, with Otago being known for its ‘‘hard rock’’ science, linked to Otago’s history of gold exploration among the granite and schist areas there. Victoria University has developed a reputation for soft rock geology, looking into what lurks within sedimentary rock such as papa. And his alma mater, Waikato University, has in recent years developed a strong environmental science team.

But it is also important to talk to people in the discipline – he suggests buying someone a beer is a wise investment to get their time for a chat. It’s a small sector and word gets around pretty quick about people who know their stuff, are enthusiastic and might be looking for work after their studies are finished.

He says that’s how he got his job at GNS in 2006, in what turned out to be two days of great personal satisfaction.

‘‘I finished my PhD, I got my job at GNS, and Waikato won the NPC.

‘‘That’s not too bad when you’re a ‘bellringer’.’’

For more information go to: gns.cri.nz or look for GNS Science on Facebook.

GNS Science geologist Dr Kyle Bland with what was his favourite mug till his mates at university filled it with rocks, sand, and epoxy resin, and then put it through a rock saw to give him a ‘core sample’ cup. ‘They did give me a Little Miss...