Mr John Darby, of Wanaka, ONZM, for services to wildlife conservation and science
John Darby was Zoologist and later Assistant Director at the Otago Museum, where he developed science-based holiday programmes and set up ‘Discovery World’, New Zealand’s first interactive science centre. He spent two decades researching the conservation needs of the yellow-eyed penguins (Hoiho) on the mainland and New Zealand Sub-Antarctic. In 1985, he negotiated the purchase by WWF of the largest breeding area of yellow-eyed penguins on the mainland. He was a foundation Trustee of the Otago Natural History Trust and the Yellow Penguin Trust. He was a Board member of the Otago Science into Action project and served on the Scientific Advisory Group for the Otago Conservation Board. Mr Darby has spent the last ten years on the conservation of the Australasian crested Grebe (Puteketeke) in southern New Zealand.