Fred Inder passed away on Wednesday (March 25) in Gore aged 90 years. But because of the restrictions due to COVID-19, he was cremated without fanfare, acknowledgment or even family, under the rules of the emergency powers of the moment.

Fred and his wife Alva, who celebrated 68 years of marriage last December, lived in Te Anau for 35 of those years after having holidayed in the region for many years prior.

Originally a businessman from Gore his passion was fishing and boats, according to all who knew him.

Know to many as the Te Anau Boat Harbour Warden for 27 years, he was often seen driving around the Te Anau basin in his yellow Datsun Sunny wagon keeping an eye on the lakes and rivers in the region on behalf of New Zealand Fish and Game and the Guardians of the Lakes.

His son Gary Inder said he clocked up nearly a quarter of a million kilometres just driving around the basin in this wagon, which he used almost exclusively for the volunteer and appointed work he carried out on the waterways in the region.

Fred Inders was a Guardian of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau for 20 years until 2017, a Councillor and Ranger for New Zealand Fish and Game for more than 23 years until the required retirement age of 80 years ,and a Trustee of the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Trust since its inception in 1996. He had been an active member of the Save Manapouri campaign.

Current Lakes Guardian chairman Darryl Sycamore said Mr Inder was a highly respected member of the Guardians and made a huge contribution to the success of their work over the years.

"He was a gentleman, humorous and was deeply passionate about the role of the Guardians. Fred observed management of lake levels had changed over recent years and held a deep concern of the consequence to the shoreline and terrestrial ecology. He always knew what was happening locally, and no doubt he will be missed by many."

Another current Guardian and colleague, Sue Bennett of Te Anau, said he was quiet and dignified, but he was known to speak up on issues as required “he always knew what was going on”.

Daughter, Vivian Tamblyn said her father worked for Meridian from 1998 for more than 20 years looking after water quality and the fish pass on the Lower Waiau River.  

“This involved taking water samples weekly, sometimes up to three times a week and monitoring the water level and opening and closing a system of gates to make sure fish could swim past the weir. At the same time he monitored beach water quality for Environment Southland with samples of water from Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri”.

Mr Inder was also a member of the Gore Boat and Waterski Club for 60 years and Te Anau Boating Club for 54 years.

In 2010 Mr Inder received an individual Environmental Award from Enviroment Southland and in 2016 both he and his wife Alva were awarded a Southland District Council Community Service Award for 23 years service to the Te Anau Boating Club, followed by a Kiwibank Local Heroes Award to the pair in recognition of selflessness and determination that has made a difference in the community

After the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions a memorial service will be held.

Fred and Alva Inder pictured at their 60th wedding anniversary celebrations in December 2011.