The Dominion Post , 23 August 2010The Dominion Post
For more than two decades, Colin Ryder has been the driving force behind some of Wellington's biggest conservation projects – but still regards himself as just a "white collar greenie". The Johnsonville volunteer, 63, is one of six regional finalists in the Kiwi Battler Competition set up by Gareth and Joanne Morgan to recognise individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty for their community.
Mr Ryder's organisational and fund-raising efforts have resulted in Mana and Matiu/Somes Islands being freed of vermin and transformed into protected reserves where native geckos, weta and bird life have been introduced. He pushed to have a 240-hectare block of land at Baring Head bought in June, which included protecting a rare black-billed seagull colony, and as chairman of the South Coast Marine Reserve Coalition he battled for 17 years to establish the Taputeranga Marine Reserve off Wellington's south coast. "There was some very vociferous opposition from some people [to the reserve]. One of my friends was chased down the beach at Island Bay by a big guy with a big stick.
"I also got a threatening phone call. The guy threatened to come round and pull my arms and legs off."
Mr Ryder said he had always been too busy with the pressures of work and family life to indulge an interest in nature until he came across a Forest & Bird brochure in the late 1980s. But what he saw as a chance to visit places such as Mana Island for the first time has turned into a legacy.Though flattered to be nominated as a Kiwi Battler, Mr Ryder said some of the other candidates were the ones who really went above and beyond the call of duty. "I don't think I've done that. I just do what I do in my [job]. "Somebody's got to do the boring work and I'm quite happy doing that ... I'm the guy in front of the computer who starts it. I'm a white collar greenie."
There are 78 Kiwi Battler finalists, and the public will decide the winners in a vote ending on September 1. Regional winners will get $10,000 for their favourite charity and $1000 for themselves. A national winner will receive another $20,000 for their charity, and $2000 for themselves.
Mr Ryder said he would use $2000 to set up a snorkel trail – a nature trail in the ocean – in the Taputeranga Marine Reserve.