Tony and Jenny Enderby, The King’s Service Medal – For services to conservation
Marine photographers, writers and volunteers Tony and Jenny Enderby have spent more than three decades helping protect New Zealand’s marine environment, most notably as long-time Honorary Officers for the Cape Rodney–Okakari Point Marine Reserve near Leigh.
As two of just four such officers in the Auckland region for many years, they regularly patrolled the reserve, often at odd hours, to deter illegal fishing and promote marine protection. Their voluntary work with the Department of Conservation dates back to the early 1990s and has included guiding on Tiritiri Matangi, observer work for Maui dolphins, supervising visitors to Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, and diving survey work around Aotea/Great Barrier Island.
In 2018, they launched the Leigh Penguin Project, building a volunteer team to establish nesting boxes and trap lines from Ti Point to Goat Island. They’ve also supported conservation through the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society, Whangateau Harbour Care, Forest and Bird Coast Care, and more.
The Enderbys have published widely on New Zealand’s marine life, including A Guide to New Zealand Marine Reserves, and have played a key role in educating others—both in Aotearoa and overseas—about the value of marine protection.
