Walter Reginald Brook Oliver (1883 - 1957) was born in Tasmania but came to New Zealand aged 12 and largely grew up in Tauranga. He was to become one of New Zealand's pre-eminent natural historians of the early-mid 20th Century, publishing a wealth of scientific papers and several books, most notably New Zealand Birds (1930, with a major revision in 1955). He oversaw the collection design and exhibition layout of the Dominion Museum which was being constructed in Buckle Street (Mt Cook) but had to wait several years to see the fruits of his labours after the newly completed structure was commandeered for military use during World War II.
See the link to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography below for further information.
