Walter Oliver

Walter Oliver studied at Victoria University of Wellington. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is botany. Residence is recorded at New Zealand. Employment is recorded with Dominion Museum. Positions recorded include museum director and President of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Distinctions recorded are Hector Medal, Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and Fellow of the Zoological Society of London.

• Name — Walter Oliver • Died — 16 May 1957 • Citizenship — New Zealander • Occupation — Naturalist, ornithologist, malacologist and museum curator • Known for — Snares penguin, Calliostoma waikanae and Shepherd's beaked whale • Honours — King George V Silver Jubilee Medal; Oligosoma oliveri was named after him

Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Oliver emigrated with his family to New Zealand in 1896, settling in Tauranga. Having already developed an interest in nature during his childhood, he systematically recorded natural observations throughout much of his life, including joining other naturalists on an expedition to the Kermadec Islands in 1908. In 1910, Oliver became a member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) for which body he served as branch secretary for New Zealand from 1914 to his death in 1957, a period of office of 43 years. During this period, he also served as RAOU vice-president from 1942 to 1943, and as president from 1943 to 1944. Oliver was appointed director of the Dominion Museum in 1928, and in 1930, he published the seminal guide New Zealand Birds, which was updated and expanded in 1955. The guide contained many colour plates by Lily Attey Daff, although she was not credited with the work. Oliver retired from the position of director in 1946. He was one of the botanists on the 1949 New Zealand American Fiordland Expedition. Oliver was active in numerous scientific societies, and was a prolific contributor to New Zealand scientific literature over his career. He was government representative on the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand for many years, its president from 1952 to 1954, and editor of its Transactions from 1948 to 1954. Oliver described several species new to science, including: • Snares penguin • Calliostoma waikanae, a sea snail • Shepherd's beaked whale A species of New Zealand lizard, Oligosoma oliveri, is named in his honour. In 1935, Oliver was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1953, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. W.R.B.Oliv.