Congratulations to Malcom Bird of Spearfishing NZ

A brief history and introduction to the Leo Ducker Award.

The Late Leo Ducker was a founding member of the Whangarei Underwater Club and The New Zealand Underwater Association, Established in 1953 as the New Zealand Underwater Research and Spearfishing Association. Leo Ducker was one of the first people in New Zealand to skindive – with an old gas mask over his face and the legs of some old gumboots for flippers. Leo is recognised as ‘The Father of Diving’ in New Zealand and was instrumental in encouraging others to enter the water. He is legendary for his efforts in constructing his diving equipment and conducting experiments in underwater swimming in the forties. He became a mentor to many divers, including Kelly Tarlton. He was the first person to dive at the Poor Knights Islands and Goat Island Bay, where he said: “fish weren’t found in their thousands but their millions”. Despite his advancing years and blindness, Ducker continued his involvement with diving, making his last dive shortly before his 90th birthday

The Leo Ducker Award for outstanding contribution to diving is presented from time to time by New Zealand Underwater to award and recognise individuals for exceptional service to our marine environment. This years 2024 recipient is Malcolm Bird from Spearfishing NZ.

Mal joined the Mako Subaqua club in the early 1970s

He commenced his passion for our underwater community with the first underwater hockey champs in Palmerston North. He has had a long engagement with competitive spearfishing competitions, followed by supporting our international spearfishing teams heading oversea with fund raising, coaching and as international team managers, and mentoring world leading free diving like David Mullins.
In 2017 Mal started the Ripple Action club, reviving interest in spearfishing clubs in Wellington and helping juniors in particular to get involved with competition. Under Mal’s leadership this club achieved multiple junior & open winners at nationals, including Mal & Dave Mullins performance in 2019.

Bob Rosemergy was also a good friend of Mal’s, assisting with him in diving related events so it was great to see Mal & Mark Warnock dive the first catfish cull competition at Lake Taupo, now another iconic NZ diving event.

Mal's latest charity auction raised in circa $80k this year for the Kapiti Fire Service and Mary Potter Hospice.

Many divers sporting success has been because of the effort Mal has getting NZ underwater teams to world championships, at point he had to step in at the last minute to manage our World Spearfishing team due to a late cancellation, at his own cost. Mal’s has been influential to many and through this kindness and generosity, he is
deserving of this award & it is with great pleasure that NZUA bestows the Leo Ducker award to you Mal.