VIBErations Episode 17 - Dr. Merrin Pearse

VIBErations podcast Ep 17. Dr. Merrin Pearse - Asia Environmentalist interviewed @ VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 9th February 2021

BIO

Dr Merrin Pearse began his career as a land surveyor with the New Zealand government just as GPS technology was being introduced to measure land deformation. His interest in measurement science came about following an earthquake in his last year of college where the corner of their family dairy farm had drop 2.05m. So rather than continuing on a path accounting and economics he chose a path with outdoor work and technology.

His government work had him travelling around New Zealand, surveying in Antarctica and working remotely on international boundary projects such as the Iraq Kuwait Border. During his PhD studies in Australia he got to experience a very different kind of nature to NZ, that really ignited his interest in conservation work.

Retuning to NZ he become a very active volunteer in flora and fauna restoration projects. Working within a large engineering consultancy firm he experienced many engineering projects that were working against nature rather than with it. So in 2004 he went out on his own as a consultant. In 2006 an opportunity came up to be part of team setting up a team building and training business in Hong Kong.

In 2007 Merrin and his wife, Louise Taylor, moved from Wellington, New Zealand to Hong Kong and have been part of the Mui Wo community ever since. Both are very active in the community particularly in the environmental and animal welfare areas, through organisations such as Living Islands Movement and Kirsten’s Zoo. Merrin is a Sustainability Strategist consulting within The Purpose Business network to some of HK's and the region’s largest companies and NGOs. When not in the board room or companies recycling bins Merrin loves getting out on HK's trails with their dog Salvadore and other paw mates.

10 Questions….

1. Favourite book or author? - Non-fiction or autobiograhy audio book

2. Favourite musical artist? - Jean-Michel Jarre

3. Preferred drink? - Brown Bubbles

4. Life motto? - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

5. Favourite hk walk? - South Lantau looking down on Fan Lau

6. Favourite hk restaurant? - Mui Wo cooked food market

7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak – what would you do? - Stop watch & go wow!

8. Best advice you were given? - Give things a go

9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I can make a difference here

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Anywhere outside probably Lantau Island