Brian Peter John Molloy

Brian Peter John Molloy (12 August 1930 – 31 July 2022) was a New Zealand plant ecologist, conservationist, and rugby union player.

Early life, education and family Born in Wellington on 12 August 1930, He was educated at Marist Brothers' High School in Palmerston North, and then completed a Diploma in Agriculture at Massey Agricultural College in 1950. The title of his master's thesis was A study in subalpine plant ecology on Fog Peak Ridge, Porters Pass, Canterbury. In 1966, Molloy completed a PhD on the autecology of sweet brier, Rosa rubiginosa, under the supervision of Reinhart Langer at Lincoln College, at that time a constituent college of the University of Canterbury.

In 1957, Molloy married Barbara Anita O'Neill, and the couple went on to have four children.

Taxonomist

Conservation activities Between 1989 and 1998, Molloy was a director of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust. He then served as the trust's high-country representative until 2012. He was also active in many other conservation groups, leading to the establishment of new, and extension of existing, protected areas and reserves.

Later life and death Molloy was widowed by the death of his wife, Barbara Molloy, in 2017. He died in Christchurch on 31 July 2022.

Honours and awards Molloy was awarded the Loder Cup in 1990, in recognition of his contributions to conservation and the study of New Zealand native plants.

For his contributions to the science, land and people of the high country, Molloy received the high country committee of Federated Farmers award in 2000; and in 2006 he was accorded a lifetime conservation achievement award by the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. The following year, he was named as an associate of honour by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, in recognition of his distinguished service to horticulture in New Zealand. In 2010, Molloy was awarded the Bledisloe Trophy by the Canterbury Botanical Society, for his contribution to New Zealand botany.

In 2012, the Brian Molloy QEII National Trust Scholarship for doctoral research in New Zealand ecology was established.

Selected publications

Ferns in Peel Forest: a Field Guide, 1983, Christchurch, N.Z., , Department of Lands and Survey Riccarton Bush, Putaringamotu : natural history and management, 1995, Christchurch, N.Z., , Riccarton Bush Trust