Media release

July 18, 2013

Tributes for Laly Haddon’s conservation contribution

The Department of Conservation and Hauraki Gulf Forum have paid tribute to the significant conservation efforts of Laly Paraone Haddon, who passed away overnight on Tuesday July 16.

Mr Haddon was an early supporter of New Zealand's first marine reserve at Leigh, served on the Auckland Conservation Board, was chair and a member of the Hauraki Gulf Forum, and contributed to the local Maori community as Ngati Wai Trust Board chairman.

He received a Queen’s Service Medal in 2009 for his services to conservation across the Auckland region over three decades.

DOC’s Auckland Conservator, Sean Goddard, says Mr Haddon was a conservation leader, a “mighty Totara” who achieved a great deal for Pakiri, the wider Rodney District, and islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

“Laly will be sorely missed. He worked closely with DOC over the years and was instrumental in helping form relationships between DOC and local Tangata Whenua over the management of Hauturu, Little Barrier Island,” says Sean Goddard.

“Back in 2009 when awarded his QSM, Laly spoke of being greatly heartened by the involvement of younger people in conservation, including members of his whanau now working for DOC and continuing to protect the whenua.”

On the ground, Mr Haddon helped with predator trapping to save threatened birds at Pakiri, and ensured conservation staff had access to Maori land to protect nesting birds such as the endangered New Zealand fairy tern and New Zealand dotterel. He also worked with Project Crimson to plant hundreds of pohutukawa in the wider Pakiri area, many of which are now significant specimens along the coastline.

Current Hauraki Gulf Forum Chair and Hauraki District Council Mayor John Tregidga acknowledged Laly’s tenure as chair of the Forum, saying he brought mana and momentum to the job.  

“The Forum’s vision – ”of kaitiaki sustaining the mauri of the Gulf and its taonga ... of a thriving place”, was developed under Laly’s leadership and drives our work to better appreciate, protect and enhance the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park,” says John Tregidga.

As well as his major contribution to conservation, Mr Haddon was Northland rugby legend at number 8, playing 107 first class games, representing North Auckland, NZ Maoris (1965 to 1973) and an All Black trialist in 1966.

ENDS

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