Anthony Clifford (Tony) Harris

My husband Julian and I both worked with Tony at the Otago Museum. His passion and knowledge were second to none, and he was always incredibly generous in sharing both. I still remember how our discovery of Pholcus phalangioides in our house more than 20 years ago prompted an article in Tony’s regular ODT column, exploring how climate change was affecting this and other species and allowing them to appear further south than previously recorded. It is just one small memory, but one that captures something of Tony: not only his extraordinary passion for entomology and the natural world, but his enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge with others. He will be very fondly remembered.

Tony was the kind of Uncle everyone needs, and I was one of the lucky ones! His zest for life, adventurous spirit and quick wit made for some priceless times and cherished memories. We reconnected as adults but boy did Uncle Tony bring out the wonder of experiencing the world like we were kids again. Together we went on bush walks, to listen to birdsong at Orokanui and stood amongst hundreds of butterflies at the Otago Museum. I will always remember how (ever practical and not be to considered “ordinary”) Uncle Tony simply counted to 3 before pulling into traffic (every time), went down a slippery slide for a “spot of fun” and knocked on every door in the hotel until he found us. He was an “extra”ordinary man. I am so grateful we got to spend time with him this year and that he got to know the newest additions to the Harris family (Henry and Alaina). I will always think of Uncle Tony when I hear birdsong, see a butterfly or spend time in nature. Love you mate, your nephew Michael Fraser Harris :)

I met Tony when I worked at the Otago Museum in 2010. I learnt so much from talking to him and he showed me an extraordinary amount of kindness when I was going through a tough time. His incredible passion for entomology was infectious and he will be greatly missed by many people. Lots of aroha to his family.

Tony had a wealth of entomological knowledge, in addition to his wide knowledge of all aspects of the natural world. He contributed 2 monographs on Hymenoptera in the Fauna of New Zealand series: Pompilidae (number 12, 1987), and Sphecidae (number 32, 1994). His contributions were notable for the biological information provided, and for ensuring the immature stages were covered -- not just the adults of the species. In March-April 1983 Tony recognised a common wasp specimen in a student collection we were assessing: Tony and I then spent several days checking for the common wasp in Dunedin, and confirmed that the species had established.

Talofa Tony. Fa'afetai tele lava. I’ll always remember our little ritual of exchanging a warm “Talofa” and a wave whenever we passed in the corridor or met at the photocopier, often followed by an interesting update from you. You were one of the first people I met at the Museum, and I am grateful for your kindness and friendship. Farewell, Tony. May your journey be blessed. Ia manuia lou malaga.

I am so grateful to have known Tony and join so many others in our sadness of his passing. His passion in advocating for the environment and for invertebrates will continue to inspire so many of us for many years to come.

While I knew Tony for close on 40 years as a fellow Honorary Curator at the Otago Museum, our paths crossed more in recent years when I started emailing him with questions over the identification of insects or birds that I was not familiar with but was encountering in my new homes, first in Hamilton and then in Mosgiel. He was quick to reply, generous in his praise of my amateur photos of the insects, and unfailingly informative about the identity and habitat of the insects or birds. A good man who will be missed

Authentic, kind, and caring, Tony was an exemplar of quietly spoken pearls of wisdom. Thank you for sharing so much with so many.

I got to know Tony reasonably well through his frequent visits to the ODT, where I was a journalist for decades. The coincidence of our identical names gave us some common ground for conversation when he dropped in weekly to the editorial department to submit his nature column. Understandably, his and my identities led to mix-ups when callers rang to tell him about some arachnid or other phenomenon of nature and to seek his help in identifying their find. Often, outside office hours, people would call me at home about their inquiries or finds, because my name was on the ODT editorial contact list and, naturally enough, his was not. some people were just not convinced that I was not an entomologist, and slightly fearful of spiders and other things of tha nature, and I would have to patiently explain that there were, in fact, two of us who wrote for the paper. Finally, I got the late distinguished Tony to give me the live, undistinguished Tony, his phone number, so I could hand on inquiries. I was sad to see that this man with so much knowledge of the natural world and such a long and thoroughly reliable record of contributions to the ODT, had died. I met him outside the museum about two weeks ago, where we had what was obviously our final chat. Rest in peace my alter ego. My sincere condolences to your family and close friends.

Thank you Tony for all the fascinating conversations with you in the tea room at Tūhura. You will be greatly missed

I first met Tony in 1974 and to the time I retired in 2000, there were few days that we did not meet. It seems that we both at different times found haven in the University of Otago Department of Zoology. It has been wonderful and special that we continued our liaison through Tonys weekly column in which I and so many people have enjoyed. Both Tony and his scholarship will be sadly missed.

So much respect for this man and his phenomenal knowledge! His passion and dedication to his profession was beyond reproach. Rest easy 💙