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Lawyer rewarded for conservation work

By Tom McKinlay

Long-time servant of conservation values, Dunedin lawyer Jim Guthrie was recognised for his contribution at the annual conservation week gathering at Conservation House in Dunedin last night.

Director-general of Conservation Hugh Logan was in town to present Mr Guthrie with a painting in gratitude for his work, which stretched to chairing the New Zealand Conservation Authority and helping to establish national parks.

Mr Guthrie said he was delighted to receive the award.

"It was very nice," he said later.

Highlights of his involvement in conservation matters had been helping to create the Kahurangi and Rakiura national parks, putting water back in the Wanganui River and helping to protect the Rakaia River, Mr Guthrie said.

There had also been disappointments, among them failing to have a policy introduced to allow Maori to use indigenous materials for cultural purposes and failed efforts to set up a national park to preserve important stands of Northland kauri.

But that left something for another day, he said.

The second award of the night went to the Lawrence community for its "outstanding contributions to conservation in Otago".

The award is to become an annual conservation week fixture for the Otago area office of the Department of Conservation, inspired by the week's focus this year, "conservation with communities".

Tuapeka Lawrence Community Company chairman Russell Brown accepted the award on behalf of his community for the work at Gabriels Gully and in other goldfields around the district.

Coastal area manager Robin Thomas said conservation must be everyone's business if the community was to successfully protect natural and historic heritage into the future.

"It is hoped this award will help honour the massive contribution to conservation currently being made by ordinary New Zealanders from within the community," he said.

5/8/2004