 Rachele Constantine is an accomplished biologist, an inspirational lecturer and a relentless champion for the marine environment. Her academic record as one of New Zealand's most distinguished marine ecologists spans decades of groundbreaking research into the habits of marine mammals. Her research has led to expanded protection for humpback whales and Maui dolphins and revision of international dolphin watch tourism practices. I guess I don't think of myself as a leader. I often describe myself as a conductor of orchestras, so I get really excited about certain questions or things, challenges and the first thing I think of is who can I get to come on board and helping answer this. Her accomplishments as a conservation campaigner are just as significant. She led the successful campaign to slow traffic in the Hauraki Gulf, all but eliminating whale strike by sea-going vessels in the region. You know, going to people in my enthusiasm I think helps bring others on board and then often I like finding risk-taking people as well because if you take risks, usually you'll gain a lot more at the end. Her work as a researcher and passionate marine science lecturer is an inspiration to students in the University of Auckland's School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Marine Science, where she shares her wide knowledge and resolve. I think my legacy isn't necessarily mine, it's mine of the collective and so I guess in lots of ways the success will come from enabling others, working with others, that in the future our planet, our ocean, will be a better place because the ocean needs some help. You know, Sir Peter Blake knew that and that was, you know, his final years were dedicated to that and I think the answers lie in everyone moving forward together.