Hugh is a renowned New Zealand botanist and naturalist. Since 1987 he has been living at and managing the Hinewai Nature Reserve on Banks Peninsula, 1250 hectares of regenerating native forest, accessible to the public although privately owned by the Maurice White Native Forest Trust.
Since the 1960's Hugh has undertaken detailed botanical surveys of Mount Cook National Park, Stewart Island and Banks Peninsula and we list some of the publications that have resulted from this work. His long-awaited definitive study of the flora of Banks Peninsula is due for publication early in 2013. All proceeds from the sale of his books on Kiwi2go are passed directly to Hugh to support him in his work at Hinewai.
He is equally well-known, at least locally, for his passionately held views about modern technology, conservation generally and the use of fossil fuels and motor vehicles in particular. Thanks to Hugh, our children grew up thinking that a botanist is someone who rides everywhere on a bicycle and never dreams of owning a car. An insight to Hugh's work at Hinewai and his personal philosphy can be gained by watching Kathleen Gallagher's acclaimed documentary
Earth Whisperers/Papatuanuku, available from Kiwi2go on DVD.
