Former mayor worked for gulf

Jim Holdaway, one of the country's foremost conservationists and known by Aucklanders for his work to protect the Hauraki Gulf, has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Mr Holdaway, president of the Tree Council, a former Mayor of Northcote and a former chairman of the Auckland Conservation Board, said yesterday the conservation was no less worthy of reward than other things done by people in the public interest.

"Some conservationists are recognised from time to time. I hope a great many more will be in the course of time."

Conservationist was about maintaining and where possible restoring the ecology of Earth so the planet was able to continue sustaining life.

"If Earth's biodiversity continues to collapse all the other great endeavours we are engaged in - in health and education, social welfare, security and racial harmony - will be futile in the end if the planet is unable to sustain us."

Mr Holdaway, who is 80, said parks and marine reserves were incidental outcomes or important spin-offs of conservation at work but were not the end in themselves.