Wellingtonian Interview: Victor Anderlini

BY JOSEPH ROMANOS

Marine biologist Dr Victor Anderlini talks about why he's not a lawyer, his continuing battle to have a new marine centre built and his favourite fish.

Wellingtonian: You're from San Francisco, and spent years in Kenya and the Middle East. Is it safe to call Wellington your home?

Anderlini: Oh yes. I like to go back to the US to visit friends and family, but the country has changed. Wellington is my home. I got my New Zealand citizenship last year. I can even do a haka, though not a very good one.

Wellingtonian: Why Wellington?

Anderlini: It's the most beautiful city in the world. I love the weather, and I love the people.

Wellingtonian: You first came to New Zealand in 1972. Have you noticed a change in New Zealanders?

Anderlini: Yes, back then they were much more deferential about their country and its place in the world. There's much more obvious pride and confidence now. It might be because so many New Zealanders travel, and when they come back they know what a fantastic country they have.

Wellingtonian: Were you always going to be a marine biologist?

Anderlini: No, I was heading to be a lawyer, but then in the way of Italian families, they decided there were enough lawyers – brother, uncle, cousin – and it was decided I would be a doctor. My early medical papers contained a lot of zoology and anatomy study, and that's when I became intrigued by marine life.

Wellingtonian: Was there one moment when you knew this would be your life?

Anderlini: There was. A mate and I were doing some research on the shoreline south of San Francisco, and I fell into a rock pool. I was amazed at the life I could see around me. That moment changed my life.

Wellingtonian: Your partner – in life and in the Marine Conservation Trust – is Judy Hutt. Did you meet her through marine biology?

Anderlini: No. I'd just completed my doctorate at Victoria University and was working for a Maori hapu in Foxton, investigating whether they could harvest clams as a business. I visited Te Puni Kokiri [the Ministry of Maori Development], where Judy was working in the legal section. She has shared my interest in marine life ever since.

Wellingtonian: I suppose neither of you eat fish.

Anderlini: I do. I love fish, fresh fish. Judy is a total vegetarian, so no fish for her.

Wellingtonian: You led the campaign to have a new marine centre build at Te Raekaihau Point. After years of debate it finally failed to get resource consent. That must have been a kick in the guts?

Anderlini: It was. We'd put a lot of work into that. But looking back, I don't think we made our case properly, explained what we were after. There was a lot of criticism because a big cafe was planned, and because some people thought we would be spoiling the coastline. But the cafe shouldn't have been an issue. It was going to be situated mainly outside. As for ruining the landscape, we'd have been enhancing it. Some people were complaining that when they drove past the view would be ruined. This struck me as odd. I mean these people didn't even want to get out of their cars! If they had, they'd have seen the damage already being done to that area. We'd have helped its preservation.

Wellingtonian: But you're trying again.

Anderlini: Yes, and we're very optimistic. We're proposing to build it not far away from the original site, at the bottom of Hungerford Rd, across the road from and above the water. There's been minimal opposition, and I think it will go ahead. This time our message is to come and discover the south coast and learn about the marine world on our doorstep, rather than simply visit an aquarium.

Wellingtonian: When you hear all the critics, do you ever wonder if it's worth it?

Anderlini: Judy and I sometimes ask ourselves that, but we're very certain it's worth it. The sea is critical to the world and it's important that people really know about it. Our message is: explore, discover, act.

Wellingtonian: Is that why you take so many school groups through the Marine Education Centre in Island Bay?

Anderlini: Exactly. We might have over 200 kids through in a day. If we can really connect with even a handful, that will ultimately help immensely. I love it when I get people who are doing university work in this area come up to me and say they were introduced to the marine world on a school trip to our centre.

Wellingtonian: There have been claims it's cruel to keep fish in tanks. Is there an element of truth to that?

Anderlini: Not at all. The fish we have in tanks are mostly given to us by fishermen who would otherwise kill them. Our animals are ambassadors for their species and we act as their translators. They are our guests and we treat them well.

Wellingtonian: What's your favourite fish?

Anderlini: The octopus. I've learned a lot more about octopus since I've been in Wellington. It's a fascinating creature.