Robert POTTINGER Obituary

Peter employed me in the eighties when I was a new immigrant. He gave me a chance to get into the New Zealand work force and nourished my skills and was very encouraging over the years. Thank you Peter I will be forever grateful.

I met Peter in 1976 when seeking employment in the Plant Protection Group at Ruakura. My interview was in the local tavern and Peter offered me a job after a 20 minute discussion about my sporting interests, my family and my ambitions. Peter was instrumental in getting me a NRAC scholarship to undertake my PhD, and then employment at Ruakura upon my return to New Zealand. My story is similar to many other young scientists as the Plant protection Group expanded in the 1980's to include weed management, nematology and plant pathology, and from pastoral agriculture into new sectors such as horticulture. Like many great leaders, Peter had that ability to see the potential in people and knew how to extract and grow that potential. Peter was always competitive, a visonary, and full of innovative ideas. Peter has left a strong legacy at Ruakura and entomology in New Zealand. He has been my friend and mentor since that first meeting in 1976.

In the scheme of things, I hardly knew Peter. However, it was long enough to appreciate a dedicated and passionate scientist and Kiwi, a proud and caring man . . . a true gentleman. My condolences to all the family at this sad time.

We were priviledged as young scientists to be appointed by Peter and joined the Plant Protection Group at Ruakura in the early 1980's and then through until the mid 1990's. During that time, we became good friends with Peter and will always value his friendship, encouragement and support. Peter was visionary, hard working and dedicated and through his drive had formed a very successful group of scientists a number of whom went on to highly successful careers of their own. Peter also was instrumental in obtaining (including designing) a complex of specialised buildings for his team at Ruakura which aided their research. Peter's drive and enthusisam spilled over into all aspects of his life and we will always remember wandering around his garden with him listening to his latest projects to landscape and plant his garden. Above all we will always value and treasure your friendship. Peter you can hang up your pen and spade and rest in peace for a job well done. Sorry we missed visiting with you by a month! We will miss you, Boss!
Andew & Chin Tomkins, with children, Matthew & Josephine.

Through the 1980's and 1990's Dr Peter Pottinger was a major part of my life. With the late Dr Rod East, we worked together to create "The Pasture Renovation Manual" and were together during the subsequent roadshow promotions. During this time he introduced me to all manner of new technologies. When he pulled out of the Pacific for the attractions of Argentina, it was New Zealand's great loss.
A demanding manager with boundless energy, a great organiser, a great leader, a great man.
You will be missed.
Murray Lane - Monsanto NZ Ltd, now Ballance Agri-Nutrients - 027 298 9722

Pete and I were classmates at Lincoln College in the 1950s and then we were students together at Mcgill and we all lived in "the huts" at Macdonald College (Pete got his Commonwealth scholarship the year before me). Later we were neighbours in staff housing at Lincoln College. Marie and I last caught up with Pete at Jim and Robin Bruce-Smith's 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and it was good to see him again.

We remember all of you, Sarah, Laurence, and James and we are sorry we can't join you at your father's funeral but we will be thinking of you and offer our sincere condolences.
Gavin and Marie Daly

Peter was my Masters in Entomology supervisor in Lincoln College in 1974. Arriving fresh from Sri Lanka, I found Peter as an extremely helpful and caring person in every aspect. During his teaching life at Lincoln he created and coached many scientific people. Peter was missed a great deal when he left Lincoln College to take up the Leadership in Plant Protection Division at Ruakura Research Centre in 1976. Peter was the most wonderful humanitarian I ever knew. Peter was a great charismatic person and was a great visionary who thought for decades ahead. Peter was a great scientist who inspired many, where he built a multidisciplinary scientific team, which created a centre of excellence at Ruakura in plant protection. Peter was a pioneer in designing the new Entomology research buildings in Ruakura that brought in tremendous advancement to the Centre. Peter had the most widest scientific net works in bringing together scientific links and collaborations together, which had a tremendous benefit in my insect dispersal studies. Peter also was an earthworm ecologist. Peter initiated the great soil rehabilitation studies back to pastures, with earthworm introductions in opencast coal mine sites in Huntly. Peter also had time for people around him for their welfare. Peter was in the forefront in organising brilliant family barbecues in the research group, in which I was one. Peter organised most flamboyant sports meets including athletics for Ruakura staff. Peter will be dearly missed by everyone.
Hemantha Rohitha with my wife Subhadra.

We have lost a very good person and friend, serious, hard working with many plans for the future. Hard to believe he has gone; he will be missed.

Peter had a larger than life presence at Ruakura campus (MAF and later AgResearch) in Hamilton for many years. When funding cuts for research began to bite from mid 80s onwards and many groups were reducing in size, mainly through redundancies, Peter managed to expand the size of his group with extra funding from many industry and government sources. I was privileged to be in his group for many years and he was the most helpful, visionary and able manager I encountered at Ruakura. Thank you Peter.

Pete, for a long time you were part of our family as you were married to my sister Bev. Condolences to Sarah, Laurence, James and families. RIP Pete.

I started Lincoln in 1961, fresh from school and still wet behind the ears. Pete was a senior student in charge of Ivey Hall. He mentored us, taught us about student rights, and a lot about adulthood, even broke a few rules re coffee etc. in the rooms.
I had the privilege of being a fellow scientist and manager with him at Ruakura. He certainly left his mark at Ruakura - a world class facility being his legacy.
He was a great athlete and the sports events he organised at Ruakura were superb. He was a real competitor to the end and so he should have been.
It was a privilege to know him and I am proud to have been his friend.

Pete Rattray

Pete, you were always a lovely approachable scientist and helped me when I was at Lincoln, as Entomology was one of my most enjoyable subjects. I also did a little job for you organising all your references. With condolences to the family, you will be sadly missed.

Pete was one of the senior students who had a big effect on the junior students who started in 61 (our class). He was always enthusiastic, very quick (sprint champion), and always there for a cheery chat. His professional career speaks for itself. He will be missed.

Dr Jock Allison.

Pete was a giant in the field of plant protection. He encouraged careers in entomology, mine included, during his years at Lincoln. He formed a strong team at Ruakura and left a legacy in not only the purpose-built facilities, but the vision and work ethics he instilled in us. Thanks Pete

Colin Boswell and I owe Peter a special thanks for supervising and mentoring us during our studies for M Ag Sci degrees at Lincoln University in the late 1960s. Eventually we were both awarded the first degrees in Animal Ecology at Lincoln. In my case, thanks to Peter's drive, enthusiasm and helpful critiques, I changed from a basic C grade undergraduate to a 1st Class Honours graduate and went on to an enjoyable career studying wildlife. Thanks Pete.

Dr John McIlroy