By KASM committee members past and present: Phil McCabe, June Penn, Paulina Sadowska, Cindy Baxter Malibu Hamilton was a long-standing committee member of Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) the volunteer-run community organisation, which first took shape in 2005 following a public meeting called by Whaea Angeline Greensill to discuss the first prospecting licences for seabed mining in NZ waters, directly off the coast of Whaingaroa Raglan.
Malibu joined soon after KASM’s formation and remained an active committee member right through to 2022. He sustained his commitment throughout several waves of high-activity for KASM and the seabed mining struggle. Malibu is, was, KASM’s longest serving committee member.
Malibu carried his deep-rooted cultural and uniquely personal approach to the way in which he conducted himself within the ever-changing KASM team. New team members speak of his wisdom, patience, and aroha; Malibu guided those around him with tenacity, intelligence and insight, keeping the team focused on the big issues, growing the next generation from his huge knowledge base.
Malibu was a living, breathing and highly effective kaitiaki who was incredibly warm-hearted and encouraging to be around. Always welcoming and supportive of those who chose to step up and contribute. Succession planning and building capacity and confidence among the team was central to Malibu’s everyday approach. He made us all feel like whanau regardless of where we came from and always told us to look after each other.
His vast experience in dancing along the spectrum of environmental activism was invaluable to the work and the successes of KASM. From building a deep understanding of issues and communicating them out to the public to navigating tedious official processes, Malibu brought strategies that were always on point.
Kotahitanga, Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga. Aroha.
These were the values Malibu brought to our strategy meetings, teaching us to base our work and our planning on these principles.
When required, Malibu was a prolific contributor to the practical work of assessing and preparing responses to the seabed mining applications, which were accompanied by thousands of pages of technical information. It must be noted that these were the first of their kind globally, there was no playbook. Malibu’s experience, skills and dedication were invaluable.
For us at KASM it was a pleasure and a privilege to stand with Malibu through this work and we are profoundly grateful for his immense contribution to the protection of our marine environment.
And KASM was only one of so many different groups Malibu supported, or helped set up, encouraged to make submissions, or form a trust. His mahi wasn’t confined just to KASM. From saving kiwi and protecting surf breaks to planting coastlines and everything in between, Malibu was the epitomy of community action.
As a colleague, Malibu’s door was always open for a cuppa and a kōrero. He was generous with his time, with his wisdom and with his aroha. His smile was beaming from ear to ear when he was explaining things or telling stories
…. and stories he had. In abundance.
Malibu became a dear and respected friend to all of us and he will be dearly missed not just by the KASM community but by all who knew him. Our aroha to his whanau. Moe mai rā, rest in peace. We will take your legacy forward with us.
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