Diving surprise ends in tragedy

By ANGELA GREGORY

TUTUKAKA - Astrid Malcolm took secret scuba diving lessons in the waters near the Poor Knights Islands to surprise her husband.

She told Aussie Malcolm, immigration consultant and a former National Party cabinet minister, about her passion barely a month ago.

The strong swimmer and healthy 58-year-old never got to really enjoy her new sport. The former Auckland City councillor died while diving near the marine reserve on Sunday, from what is understood to be an air embolism.

Mrs Malcolm's diving buddy found her floating unconscious about 18m down at the Northern Archway on Tahwiti Rahi Island, off the Tutukaka coast.

A doctor and nurses on a nearby charter boat tried to resuscitate her. Their efforts were taken over, in vain, by paramedics on the Northland electricity rescue helicopter.

Her sudden death has devastated the Malcolm family. Mr Malcolm said: "She was doing exactly what she wanted, exactly where she wanted to be - that means a lot to the whole family - and she suffered no pain or confusion."

Mrs Malcolm had been with a group who travelled on a charter boat run by Mr Malcolm's dive company, Dive Tutukaka.

He said all the correct procedures had been followed by all parties, including his wife, who had been diving almost every weekend since she got her ticket. "She was overcome by some major event, whatever that was."

Local Maori yesterday placed a rahui (ban) around the Poor Knights, asking that divers and sightseers steer clear of the area until Thursday afternoon.

It was the first time the Ngatiwai iwi had placed such restrictions on recreational activities across the entire marine reserve, where fishing is already banned.

Mr Malcolm said he supported the move and was "deeply grateful" for the respect the iwi showed for his wife. "I feel proud to share their spiritual link to the Knights through Astrid's death."

The Malcolms had been together 41 years, been married for 36 of them, and had four children of their own and two foster children.

Mr Malcolm said he was proud his wife had not been a woman who lived in his shadow, but had her own business and political interests.

"We paddled our canoes in tandem."

Mrs Malcolm had an interior design business which was most recently involved in the Princes Wharf development. She served on the Auckland City Council for three terms, representing the Mt Eden ward until she stood down in October 1998.

Mrs Malcolm formed a close friendship with fellow councillor and Auckland yachtswoman Penny Whiting, who said their work was crucial in preserving public open space at the Viaduct Basin.

Penny Whiting said her friend had been a popular council member, and an ideas person. "She was pretty visionary, and had lots of energy ... She was so fit, and a great swimmer, often turning up at council meetings with her hair still wet."

Auckland Mayor Christine Fletcher said Mrs Malcolm had initiated and championed several projects that benefited the whole city.