Kate Ladley

“When I was young, I spent a lot of time outdoors exploring the family sheep farm, the QEII bush nearby and the large garden my parents both worked on,” says Kate. “I developed a deep interest in plants and started a cacti and succulent collection at a young age.”

That early curiosity led Kate to study horticulture at what was then ‘Nelson Polytechnic’ after school. She then spent several years working in the horticulture industry before completing a Bachelor of Science in Ecology at Otago University in the early 2000s.

As a botanist, she has worked with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, the Department of Conservation, local councils, and a wide range of groups and individuals. “This work allowed me to work in ecosystems all over NZ and my knowledge of plants, both native and introduced, is considerable.”

Kate has also been teaching plant and vegetation monitoring skills for more than 15 years. “The mystery of why plants grow where they do, and how they adapt to challenging environments, I find endlessly fascinating,” she says. “Sharing this knowledge and building someone’s ecological understanding is a great thrill for me.”

Kate’s teaching style is collaborative and open. “I encourage people to share their own experiences so that we can all learn together. There is always more to learn!”

Outside of teaching, Kate is an active member of the Canterbury Botanical Society. “I especially enjoy the field trips where folk willingly share their knowledge of plants. It's a great community to be involved in.” She’s also a member of the Christchurch Bonsai Society and has been learning the art of bonsai for the past five years.

Kate values the learning environment at NMIT. “I really appreciate the adult learning space NMIT provides where people from all walks of life come together, drawn by a shared interest,” she says. “The learning that occurs, in such a short time, is always impressive. I am delighted to help people on this journey.”