The Queen's Service Medal
ANDERSON, Mrs Clarice Lee
For services to the blind and seniors
Mrs Clarice Anderson has had a longstanding involvement with the Royal New Zealand Blind Foundation at a local level.
Mrs Anderson helped establish the Central Hawke’s Bay Support Group for the Blind in 1960 and has held various positions within the group. The group currently looks after 35 people to assist in the running of their daily lives and in organising transport where needed. She has been involved with the Guide Dog Association for 45 years. She has organised the Blind Association Blind Appeal and the Red Puppy collection for a number of years. She founded a local singing group called Sing Along With Us (SAWU), which regularly entertains at rest homes and other venues. She leads a bi-monthly social afternoon at Woburn Rest Home for blind and partially sighted people and organises a monthly lunch for sight impaired ladies. Mrs Anderson knits baby clothes to donate to charitable organisations.
The Queen's Service Medal
BENSEMANN, Mr Kerry John
For services to the community
Mr Kerry Bensemann established the 0800 Hungry Ministries Trust in 2001, a non-denominational, non-profit Christian charitable trust to provide food bank services in the Canterbury region.
Mr Bensemann established the Trust with the idea of giving people in need a ‘hand up’ as opposed to a ‘hand out’ to help people catch up on other expenses and bills without having to worry about groceries. The service is available to anyone experiencing hardship without the need for referrals from agencies such as Work and Income New Zealand. 0800 Hungry sources food from various companies, primarily in the form of surplus from industrial scale food producers, and distributes food packages to the poor and needy from Halswell to Rangiora. As well as direct deliveries the Trust funnels food parcels through 130 local churches and agencies and has built relationships with a range of suppliers such as AS Wilcox and Sons, Heinz Watties, Tip Top Bread, Meadow Mushroom, Griffins, and Kelloggs. Access to the Trust is by referral or by ringing the free phone number, which Mr Bensemann personally answers and deals directly with those requesting the services of 0800 Hungry. Mr Bensemann mobilised 0800 Hungry’s resources to provide food and essential items to the families of mine workers following the Pike River Mine disaster and in the wake of the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
The Queen's Service Medal
BLACKMORE, Mrs Miroroa Te Kune (Te Kune)
For services to Māori
Mrs Te Kune Blackmore is a kuia of Ngāti Parewahawaha and has been involved with governance and preserving and passing on knowledge of tikanga.
Mrs Blackmore has taught traditional weaving both voluntarily in the community and formally. From 1996 to 1998 she was involved with Tū Tangata Training Programme as Coordinator of the Awhina Mai programme teaching tradition weaving. She was also a member of Moana Nui a Kiwa Weavers at this time. She taught traditional weaving at Te Wānanga o Raukawa from 1998 to 2000, and at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa from 2000 to 2007 where she was also involved with Te Kāhui Tuara mō Te Wānanga Tauira Support Group. She was a key weaver involved in the creation of the tukutuku panels for the Wharenui during the construction of Parewahawaha Marae in the 1960s. In the 1960s she was involved with kapa haka and was a member of Bulls Floral Art and Garden Circle. She was a member of Ruakawa Māori Women’s League District Council from 1965 to 1972 and served as President from 1970. Mrs Blackmore is a long-time member of Rangitikei Manawatū Anglican Māori Pastorate and was involved with the church’s cultural group in the 1960s.
The Queen's Service Medal
BOWERS, Mrs Beryl Mary
For services to the community
Mrs Beryl Bowers has contributed to a range of organisations in the Picton community.
Mrs Bowers has undertaken an extensive amount of voluntary work in Picton and the wider Malborough community. Prior to St. John moving to Picton, she organised the first roster for the local Volunteer Ambulance and became a qualified first responder. She was a key member of the establishing group of the Picton Early Learning Centre and was an instructor and chaperone for the Picton Marching Club. She has been a leader, District Commissioner and Provincial Commissioner for the Girl Guides. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for the Queen Charlotte College. Her efforts led to the creation of the annual Picton Maritime Festival. Mrs Bowers has been chairperson of the Festival Trust for more than 12 years and in 2015 the Festival won several awards in recognition of its importance to the community.
The Queen's Service Medal
BRADLEY, Mr Kenneth Frederick (Ken)
For services to conservation
Mr Ken Bradley has been involved with conservation in the Fiordland National Park since 1976.
Mr Bradley worked with Fiordland Travel (now Real Journeys) and The Tourist Hotel Corporation as a Milford Track guide before becoming a Parks Assistant for the Fiordland National Park Board in 1976. The Park Board was later amalgamated into DOC in 1987. During this time he worked on a wide range of projects and operations, including the development of the Kepler Track, which opened in 1988. From 1992 to 2006 he was in charge of the Fiordland Great Walk tracks, including supervision of all rangers and operations. He led key national projects, notably the inventory process following the Cave Creek tragedy in 1995 which resulted in all DOC assets being recorded on a single national database. He has developed and managed a sizable conservation volunteer network throughout Fiordland National Park with numerous successful initiatives. Since 2013 his programme has seen more than 20,000 volunteer hours recorded in the Park. His expertise in track building and maintenance has seen him advise in this field across the Pacific, including the development of the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail in Samoa in 2016. Mr Bradley is a founding member of the Fiordland Museum Trust.
The Queen's Service Medal
BRAY, Mr Timothy Richard (Tim)
For services to children and theatre
Mr Tim Bray is the CEO and Artistic Director of Tim Bray Productions, an organisation he established in 1991 to provide theatrical performances for children.
Mr Bray writes his own dramatisations of children’s stories, especially by New Zealand authors, for his productions. In 2012 his dramatisation of the Hairy Maclary stories by Lynley Dodd was performed at the Bruce Mason Theatre for the visiting Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. He offers a regular programme of four productions a year at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna and has facilitated dedicated funding to allow children from low decile schools to attend performances. He has included an educational component in the form of teaching resources for school groups who attend performances, and has facilitated support in the form of sign language interpreters and descriptive audio commentaries to accommodate deaf and blind children at these performances. He runs Theatre Workshops where children attend a performance, engage in their own storytelling, undertake a backstage tour and meet with the actors. He has worked with Make-A-Wish New Zealand, Ronald McDonald House, Kelston Deaf Education Centre, and Blind and Low Vision Education Network of New Zealand to offer tickets to his shows. Mr Bray has developed drama classes for children at the Lake House Arts centre in Takapuna and at Tapac in Western Springs.
The Queen's Service Medal
BYRNE, Mr Dermot Peter, JP
For services to the community
Mr Dermot Byrne has contributed to a range of community organisations in the Khandallah community since the 1970s.
Mr Byrne has been involved in several fundraising efforts in Khandallah. In the 1970s he led the fundraising efforts to build the Onslow Free Kindergarten and became its founding Chair. In 1983 he was a key player in establishing the Cornerstone Resource Centre Trust and was the Chair of the Trust several times over 33 years. In the 1990s he fundraised for and led the extensive upgrade of Khandallah Village. He helped fundraise more than $250,000 over a period of nine years for the adaptive restoration of Khandallah Town Hall and he also oversaw its conversion into a multipurpose community centre. From 2005 to 2006 he served as the President of the Rotary Club of Wellington North. Mr Byrne was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2011.
The Queen's Service Medal
CHALMERS, Ms Linda Rae
For services to art
Ms Linda Chalmers has contributed to the local art scene on Waiheke Island in her capacity as Director of the Waiheke Community Art Gallery.
For more than ten years Ms Chalmers has organised the annual operating budget for the Gallery. As the Gallery does not receive any institutional funding, she has had to balance the budget through sales of work, membership subscriptions, grants, benefactors and gala events. Despite these challenges she has tripled the Gallery’s income and lifted the profile of the Gallery in her time as Director and in 2013 the New York Times recommended the Gallery as a go-to destination in New Zealand. As Director she introduced the bi-annual ‘Artist in Residence’ event that brings prominent New Zealand artists to Waiheke Island to meet and inspire high school fine arts students and local artists. She has established several annual art competitions and she is responsible for arranging sponsors and ensuring the smooth running of the competitions. Ms Chalmers’ support for local artists has enabled them to continue producing work and exhibit to many visitors each year.
The Queen's Service Medal
COATES, Mrs Annie Naw
For services to ethnic communities
Mrs Annie Coates has been involved in supporting refugees, particularly from South East Asia, and helping them settle in New Zealand since the mid-1980s.
Mrs Coates has provided pastoral care for international students and has been involved with English as a Second Language groups. She worked as an ESOL teacher at the Wellington High School Community Education Centre for 17 years. She was a Cross Culture worker at Refugee Services from 2006 before moving to the Change Makers Refugee Forum in 2009. She has been Chair of the Wellington Myanmar Community, though which she has been involved in a wide range of events from cultural festivals to local sports tournaments and regular pre-school playgroups for young mothers. She was involved in the establishment of the New Horizons for Women organisation in the early 1990s, which was set up to raise funds for scholarships for women who had not been able to undertake tertiary education. She has been a member of Pan Pacific and South East Asian Women’s Association for 30 years and has served as Vice President and President and as Vice President for the Pacific Region on the International Board. Mrs Coates has also volunteered with the City Mission, Mary Potter Hospice and the Cancer Society.
The Queen's Service Medal
COSLETT, Mr Neville Terence, JP
For services to the community
Mr Neville Coslett has been a Justice of the Peace since 1989 and has been a sitting JP/Judicial Officer at Papakura District Court since 1994.
Mr Coslett has been a community representative for the Ministry of Social Developments’ Benefits Review Committee since December 2000. He has been President and Chair of the Auckland Welsh Club and between 1992 and 1994 he was the coordinator for community sponsorship for Welsh emigrants, advising on and supporting the immigration process for a large number of Welsh emigrants to New Zealand. He has served as Chairperson of the Club’s Board of Trustees. He was the presenter of the fortnightly programme ‘Echoes of Wales’ on Access Community Radio in the 1990s. He was involved with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce from 2000 to 2005. He has been a Council member of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a Committee member of the Association of Factory and Production Managers. Mr Coslett has been involved with a number of local rugby clubs in administrative and leadership positions.
The Queen's Service Medal
CRAWFORD, Mr Ronald Grant
For services to education
Mr Ronald Crawford has contributed to education and rugby in Auckland since the 1980s.
Mr Crawford has served as Chairperson of the Henderson Intermediate School Board since 2001 and was Chairperson of Western Heights Primary School for 11 years. During his time with Western Heights he arranged for tens of thousands of dollars of free painting and decorating work so that budget could be diverted to ensure children in need had essential items and clothing. He was a member of the establishment committee for Summerland Primary School and of the steering group to establish the Waitakere Education Sector Trust. He spent two years on the Sturges Road Kindergarten Committee and 13 years as a Board member of the Auckland Kindergarten Association. He was a member of the Association’s Management Council and served a year as Vice-President and three years as President. He was a Director of Kindergarten New Zealand for 13 years. He has been a selector and manager with the Auckland Rugby Union and was a member of the Auckland Rugby Referees Association for 11 years. Mr Crawford has been a volunteer for Victim Support Waitakere since 2005 and is a past member of the Henderson Rotary Club.
The Queen's Service Medal
DAWSON, Mrs Keita Rangimarie (Katie)
For services to Māori and seniors
Mrs Katie Dawson was General Manager of Te Oranga Kaumatua Disability Support Services Trust from 2000 until her recent retirement.
In the 1980s Mrs Dawson was instrumental in the establishment of the Hauora Clinic at the Papakura Marae, having identified a need for culturally sensitive services for young Māori mothers. Between 1992 and 1996 she played a key role in establishing a Kohanga Reo to cater for the Papakura, Manurewa and Takanini area. She facilitated Te Reo Māori night classes for the parents of the children attending the Kohanga Reo. In 2000 she was involved in the development of a Kaupapa Māori Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Service, having been involved with meetings held around the country to research elder abuse and neglect in Māori communities. She also contributed to the New Zealand Guidelines Group in the Assessment Processes for Older People (Best Practice Evidence-based Guideline) published by the Ministry of Health in 2003, and the Family Violence Intervention Guidelines (Elder Abuse and Neglect) published in 2007. In 1972 she established a sports and culture club in Papakura that operated for almost 30 years. Mrs Dawson identified a need to support young teenagers by providing them with the opportunity to participate in netball, softball, kapa haka, and other activities.
The Queen's Service Medal
DE VOS SANCHEZ, Mrs Ana Maria, JP
For services to ethnic communities
Mrs Ana Maria de Vos Sanchez is a member of the Auckland Multicultural Society Incorporated, has been Treasurer since 2005 and a volunteer event organiser.
Mrs de Vos Sanchez has coordinated a range of events such as exhibitions, stage performances, festivals, the annual Multicultural Expo, and the North Shore Lakeside Multicultural Festival which is now in its 20th year. As an exponent of Latin American dance she has been a teacher and performer of Flamenco – Spanish dance, Chilean Folk dance, and has supported the Auckland Dutch dancers. She has served as Vice President and coordinator for performing dance groups for the Viva Eclectika challenge competitions. She taught Basic English skills to immigrants and refugees for 12 years. She has supported Mano Amiga (Helping hand), a group of South American women supporting Latin American families in New Zealand. She served for 11 years as coordinator for Citizen Advocacy Auckland Incorporated and has delivered presentations at conferences in Australia and nationally. She has supported victims of domestic violence through Shakti Asian Women’s Centre in Auckland. She has represented the Auckland Branch of National Council of Women on the Auckland Council “Ending domestic violence in Auckland” committee. Mrs de Vos Sanchez was on the Executive Committee of the Music Association of Auckland from 2006 to 2010.
The Queen's Service Medal
DIDHAM, Mr Bruce Leslie
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mr Bruce Didham has been a member of the Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1983 and was Chief Fire Officer from 1999 to 2014.
Mr Didham was actively involved in the United Fire Brigades Association as an Executive Member of the South Otago Sub-Association for 13 years and the Otago Southland Provincial Fire Brigades Association for 13 years, of which he is also a Life Member. He is an Executive Member and holds life membership of the New Zealand Fire Brigades Institute. He was a founding member of the Portobello Medical First Response Unit in 2003. He has been involved in the Fire Service at an administrative level by serving on the Executive and as Secretary of the Otago Southland Provincial Fire Brigades’ Association. He was responsible for organising various regional competitions and challenges. He has been a Volunteer Ambulance Officer for St John Ambulance and joined the career operational staff in 2007. In 2001 he was awarded the Len Doughty Scholarship to research volunteer sustainability in Argentina, Peru and Chile. He was a founding member of Coastguard Dunedin and his contributions have improved safety standards around the Dunedin coastline. Mr Didham has been awarded Life Membership of the Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade and the South Otago Sub Association in recognition of his contributions.
The Queen's Service Medal
DOBSON, Mr Brian William
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and rugby
Mr Brian Dobson joined the Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1966 and has been Chief Fire Officer since 1988.
Mr Dobson has held a range of roles with the brigade, including Secretary/Treasurer for 12 years. He attended United Fire Brigade Association (UFBA) and provincial conferences as well as competition events from the 1970s, before starting to compete from 1990 onwards. He has attended numerous callouts, assisted with local rescue efforts, and overseen the brigade’s response to severe slips in Matata in 2005. He was responsible for securing funding for a new van and medical equipment to outfit the brigade’s first response medical unit, established in 2004. He has been President of the Central North Island Sub Association. In 1991 he formed the first Matata Brigade competition team to run UFBA events and reintroduced waterway competition teams in 2008. He became involved with the Matata Rugby Club in 1967 and was involved with fundraising for and the construction of new club rooms in the late 1970s. He was Treasurer, Club Captain, Senior Team coach, and served as President from 1982 to 1988. Following a downfall in numbers Mr Dobson was asked to stand for President of the Club again and has served in this role since 2009, leading the club to a strong position.
The Queen's Service Medal
DODDS, Mr Brian Robert
For services to healthcare and the community
Mr Brian Dodds has lent his accountancy and business skills to the Clutha district community for 30 years, particularly in the area of healthcare.
Mr Dodds was a founding member of the Balclutha Hospital Support Group in 1991, which sought various options for the preservation of clinical services in Clutha. He was then a founding member of Clutha Health Incorporated (CHI), which was formed to build and manage a new hospital, based on a plan developed by the Balclutha Health Services Board, of which he was also a member. He was interim Chairman from 1997 to 2001 of CHI, which appointed the board of Clutha Community Health Company Ltd (CCHCL). He became Chairman of CCHCL on its inauguration and has remained in that position for 19 years. His leadership has guided health services that have proved to be sustainable and stand as a model for the concept of an integrated family health centre. He has also been a Trustee of the Clutha Community Mobility Van and the South Otago Nurses Trust Fund. Mr Dodds was a member of the South Otago High School Board of Trustees for almost 10 years and holds leadership roles with St Andrews Presbyterian Church.
The Queen's Service Medal
DONALDSON, Mrs Elizabeth Charmaine (Charmaine)
For services to health and seniors
Mrs Charmaine Donaldson has contributed to the well-being and health of senior citizens in her Matamata community for more than 15 years.
Mrs Donaldson has applied her health and fitness training in a wide range of health groups and organisations. She was heavily involved in the Asthma Society from 1984 to 2006, serving as President for 14 years and running courses in local schools to raise awareness, and was made a Life Member in 2003. Since 2004 she has run weekly exercise classes at the Matamata Heart Fit Group for senior citizens. She does not receive any direct remuneration for her role as an instructor at Heart Fit and has freely given her time, knowledge and expertise to assist the senior population to be motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She uses the funds raised by the Heart Fit programme to support The Heart Trust, which assists with access to heart diagnostic and treatment services for people living throughout the Midland Health Region. Mrs Donaldson has been a voluntary educator for the CYPS Positive Parenting Programme since 1986, she was awarded life membership of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society for her services from 1972 to 1992, and has also taught piano for more than 30 years within the Matamata community.
The Queen's Service Medal
DUNN, Mrs Doris Christine (Christine)
For services to the community
Mrs Christine Dunn has significantly contributed to dog training in New Zealand since the 1970s and is been a founding member of the Hisbiscus Coast (HBC) Dog Training Club.
Mrs Dunn has maintained a high level of voluntary service to the Club since 1987 and served as President of the Club from 2003 to 2006 and Vice President from 2006 to 2016. Each year she runs several eight-week training courses for local dog owners. Her efforts have helped thousands of dog owners to train their dogs for domestic, obedience and agility purposes. As the Club’s Intake Officer since 1987 she is extensively involved in enrolling dog owners in classes and facilitating the smooth operation of the Club. Since the 1970s she has assisted in dog training at the All Breeds Dog Training Club in Auckland and she earned a Life Membership in recognition of her contributions as a Committee Member and Treasurer. Every year she organises dog club members to participate in the Orewa Santa Parade and coordinates and participates in fundraising efforts for the HBC Dog Training Club. Mrs Dunn’s service to dog training has increased public safety and raised awareness of proper training techniques.
The Queen's Service Medal
EDMONDS, Mr Mark White
For services to sport
Mr Mark Edmonds has trained athletes in Rotorua for more than 30 years on a voluntary basis.
Early on Mr Edmonds trained marathon and long distance runners and has since trained athletes across many different sporting codes including triathletes, rugby, rowing, hockey and netball. As his reputation as a trainer grew he was invited to work as a fitness trainer with national and representative athletes and teams. On the international stage he has trained individuals who have competed as Olympians, and players in the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Black Sticks, Touch Blacks and Women’s 7’s and Rugby League teams. He continues to train local teams, club rugby, and school level girls’ rugby and netball. Mr Edmonds runs training sessions every Monday and Wednesday after school in the local park to train whomever wishes to train; a service that is entirely voluntary on both his part and those who turn up for his instruction.
The Queen's Service Medal
FAULKNOR, Mr Fraser McDonald
For services to children, education and music
Mr Fraser Faulknor has had a background in teaching, music and the care of vulnerable young people and was Director of the Dingwall Trust’s Care Programme from 1979 to 2000.
Mr Faulknor navigated considerable change within the social welfare system during this period, including registering Dingwall as a Child and Family Support Service in 1989, allowing Dingwall to be made legally responsible for some children not covered by Child, Youth and Family Services, and for these placements to be government funded. Many children benefitted from this mandate, which continues to this day. Other beneficial initiatives he introduced to Dingwall included visiting social workers, the decentralisation of Dingwall into individual houses, a boarding school programme and the Dingwall School to fill gaps in children’s learning to help them return to mainstream schools. He coordinated the establishment of the New Zealand Association of Child and Family Support and Community Services in 2000. Since retiring from Dingwall he has been Manager of the Auckland Boys’ Choir and a member of the Choir Board for the past 15 years. Mr Faulknor has been involved with many singing events such as The Big Sing and the APPA Singing Festival and in 2011 was instrumental in establishing the Young at Heart choral group.
The Queen's Service Medal
FINDERUP, Mrs Lois May
For services to the fashion industry and theatre
Mrs Lois Finderup has organised the Miss Taranaki Contest for 34 years and has been involved with the local Wearable Art competition.
Mrs Finderup has run a successful Modelling and Grooming school in New Plymouth since 1979 and has been a mentor to young women, guiding them into their chosen careers as well as modelling, television and the stage. She has given opportunities to many young women who could not afford tuition fees. Several of her students have had international success. She was the instigator and organiser of the Taranaki Fashion Art Awards, which have been running now for 17 years. Mrs Finderup has been involved with the New Plymouth Operatic Society for 45 years, serving on the committee, performing in productions, and undertaking many and varied roles backstage and front of house for productions.
The Queen's Service Medal
FINLAY, Mr David John
For services to irrigation and sport
Mr David Finlay has played a key role in organising the irrigation of farmland in the Lower Waitaki region.
Mr Finlay has served for 41 consecutive years on the committee of the Lower Waitaki Irrigation scheme and the Board of the Lower Waitaki irrigation company, a scheme that irrigates more than 19,000 hectares of farmland. In the 1990s he was a key player in the Irrigation North Otago group that developed an irrigation solution for the hills and downlands of North Otago. His contributions to irrigation have transformed the region and he has overseen the developments from inception through to completion. In 1976 he was a founding member of the Lower Waitaki Golf Club and served as the Club President for four years. He is an active member of the St Kevin’s College Foundation and is involved with leading meetings, raising funds and recruiting new members. He was a member of North Otago Federated Farmers and served a two year term as the Meat and Wool Chairman, representing the region in Wellington. Mr Finlay has also held several coaching and administrative roles for North Otago Rugby and his efforts have encouraged schoolchildren to take up the sport.
The Queen's Service Medal
GEORGE, Ms Merrilyn Frances
For services to education and the community
Mrs Merrilyn George has taught at Ruapehu College since 1966 and has contributed to her Ohakune community for more than 50 years.
Mrs George has taught a variety of subjects over the years, including technology, art, mathematics, science and Te Reo Māori. She established strong relations with the local marae and helped to set up an inter-whanau kapahaka competition at the College. She has been involved in many historical, cultural and sporting events that have occurred within the Waimarino and assists her local community by providing guidance and logistical support for community events. She researched, wrote and published ‘Ohakune, Opening to a New World’, a major contribution to the area’s local history, and has published several other historical works as resources for the community. She has been Chairperson of the Ruapehu College’s 50th Jubilee Committee. In 2002 she was awarded a Royal New Zealand Society fellowship for Traditional Māori Textiles Technology. She has coached various softball and netball teams at the College and in 1979 established a netball competition to promote and encourage fitness and wellbeing. Mrs George has volunteered her spare time to assist with the training of the kapahaka group and has organised for the group to provide welcomes for school groups and entertainment at local rest homes.
The Queen's Service Medal
GILBERT, Ms Judith Jane (Jude)
For services to conservation
Ms Jude Gilbert founded the Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust in 2001 and remains a current Trustee.
The Windy Hill Sanctuary encompasses 15 private landowners and more than 770 hectares of land and is an exemplar of how private landowners can collaborate to create biodiversity and local employment opportunities in small island communities. Ms Gilbert has galvanised more than 2,000 hours of volunteer time per year to support the sanctuary, which includes 270 hectares of QEII covenanted land. She was a member of the Great Barrier Local Board from 2013 to 2016 and a Trustee of the Great Barrier Environment Trust from 2003 to 2013. She was an Auckland Conservation Board member from 2006 to 2009. For 17 years she has raised funds and employed locals to systematically remove invasive plants and animals from Great Barrier Island. She is an inaugural member of the Aotea Conservation Park Advisory Committee, a co-governance body providing advice from the community to the Department of Conservation on strategic issues for the park. She is a founding Trustee of AoteaOra Community Trust. Ms Gilbert has been an advocate for pest management nationally and internationally and has delivered presentations at conferences in New Zealand and overseas.
The Queen's Service Medal
GRINDER, Mrs Jacqueline Barbara (Jackie)
For services to the community
Mrs Jackie Grinder has contributed to her local Te Awamatu community for a number of years.
Mrs Grinder was responsible for opening and running a Drop-In Centre that provided a safe and friendly environment for local school children. Under her guidance the Centre developed into a school holiday programme which continues to run today. She previously organised the Friendly Games that aim to support and strengthen the relations between older members of the community. She has been an active member of her local St. John’s Church and has been responsible for organising the Sunday morning tea roster and other social events. She has also helped to run a local Op Shop and in this role she helps to provide clothes and supplies to vulnerable people in her local community. For nearly a decade she has volunteered her time to sew clothes and dress 700 teddy bears for long-stay children at Waikato Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Auckland. Mrs Grinder also sews book bags which are filled with stationery, books and games and given to sick children for activities during their time in hospital.
The Queen's Service Medal
HANARA, Mrs Rehia Shirley Te Amere
For services to Māori and education
Mrs Rehia Hanara has been a strong advocate for Māori education, Te Reo and tikanga and has contributed to Te Reo revitalisation in a range of settings such as marae, kohanga reo and wānanga.
Mrs Hanara played a key role in the establishment of the first kohanga reo in the Ngati Kahungunu tribal district on Omahu Marae. She is a Trustee of the marae and has taught at the kohanga reo since 1981. She has been kuia and taught Te Reo at Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Ara Hou since 1996. She is currently kuia and kaikaranga for Ngati Kauhungunu. She was involved in fundraising for the construction of the Omahu Marae wharekai, which was opened debt free in 1990. She has been involved with Omahu Māori Committee, which has engaged with local authorities on various issues affecting the Omahu community. Mrs Hanara received the Heretaunga Taiwhenua Living Taonga Award in 2016.
The Queen's Service Medal
HANRAHAN, Mr Michael James
For services to the community
Mr Michael Hanrahan has been a key player in establishing and managing the Ashburton Museum and Art Gallery.
Mr Hanrahan was a member of the fundraising committee and played a critical role in ensuring that the committee reached its targets. In 2006 he was appointed as the Manager and Curator of the museum and in this role he has developed the resources and staff to provide a high profile museum. He has undertaken a large volume of research and writing to preserve the history of the Ashburton District. In 2016 he received a Life Membership of the Ashburton Museum and Historical Society in recognition of his contributions as a volunteer for more than 40 years. He has been involved with the Society of St Vincent de Paul at the local and national level. His contributions to the Society’s Ashburton shop have been highly successful and have provided the shop with the means of supporting its foodbank programme. He was the Society’s Area Council President for three years and was the New Zealand President from 2009 to 2012, during which time he was involved in a range of significant projects. Mr Hanrahan was responsible for raising funds to repair extensive damage to the shop after the Canterbury earthquakes.
The Queen's Service Medal
HANSFORD, Mr David (Dave)
For services to the environment
Mr Dave Hansford is a freelance writer and photographer who has reported on environmental issues for the last 15 years.
Mr Hansford’s work has appeared in a wide range of New Zealand and international magazines, newspapers and websites. For a time, he fronted a regular environment slot on TVNZ’s ‘Good Morning’ show. He has also filmed documentary footage for Natural History NZ Ltd, and worked on the BBC production ‘Life of Birds’. He is a long-running contributor to ‘New Zealand Geographic’, where he writes features and commentary, along with a science column called ‘Life’. In 2016 Mr Hansford released his first book ‘Protecting Paradise’, which examined the many debates and fallacies surrounding the use of 1080 in New Zealand, and made a case for urgent intervention to rescue dwindling native wildlife.
The Queen's Service Medal
HART, Mr Duncan John, JP
For services to the community
Mr Duncan Hart has contributed to the Marton community for more than 60 years.
Mr Hart has been a member of the Marton Returned and Services Association for more than 70 years, President for more than 20 years across three different periods, and was awarded life membership in 1977, the Gold Star and Special Honours from the NZRSA. He was a founding member of Marton Lions in 1963, holding various positions locally and nationally, and was made a Life Member in 1988. He continues his membership after 50 years. He has held various positions in the Rangitikei Masonic Lodge and holds 50 and 60 year service awards. Mr Hart has been a member of the Justices Association since 1975 and has been involved with many other groups, committees and organisations in the Marton community over the past 60 years.
The Queen's Service Medal
HUNTER, Mrs Sandra Barbara Anne
For services to the community
Mrs Sandra Hunter has contributed to her local Matamata community and the wider Waikato region since 1976, having been actively involved in several social services.
Mrs Hunter trained as a relationships counsellor through the Ministry of Justice and was also appointed as a Family Court mediator, spending many years working with separating and separated couples on custody and access issues. She has been involved with Matamata-Piako Victim Support since 1990 as a support worker for 17 years and in governance since its inception, serving as District Chair for 14 years. She helped establish Tough Love in Matamata, is a champion for Matamata’s Safer Family Network, and is a member of the Matamata Health Shuttle Trust, which operates daily shuttles to regional hospitals and clinics. A marriage celebrant for 17 years, she donates her fees to causes such as Rotary’s End Polio Now, Hospice, Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation, and Matamata Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mrs Hunter is currently researching and writing a book to mark Pohlen Hospital’s first 50 years.
The Queen's Service Medal
JACK, Mr Peter Alexander
For services to sport, particularly athletics
Mr Peter Jack has actively contributed to the welfare and growth of amateur athletics and club rugby in Wellington for 50 years.
Mr Jack has been heavily involved with athletics in the Wellington area as a competitor, coach, official, organiser and administrator since 1964. He has been a key player in the development of the Kiwi Athletic Club and has held many positions since 1966, including Chairman and President. In 1990 he was awarded Life Membership in recognition of his contributions to the Club. Since 1980 he has been directly involved in Athletics Wellington and has helped with coaching, fundraising and administration. He was awarded an Athletics Wellington Long Service Award and Life Membership in 1995. He has officiated at Wellington and New Zealand Senior Athletics Championships for a wide range of events for more than 34 years. Since 1996 he has held numerous positions in the Wellington Football Club and has contributed to the organisation of various competitions. His voluntary efforts have been instrumental in helping the various sports clubs to grow and reach new members. Mr Jack is a Life Member of the Wellington Rugby Supporters Club, having been a foundation and committee member over the course of 30 years involvement.
The Queen's Service Medal
JHAMAT, Mr Kulwinder Singh
For services to the Indian community
Mr Kulwinder Jhamat was involved with the establishment of New Zealand Guru Ravidas Sabha Inc, also known as the Bombay Temple, and has contributed to its development over the past 23 years.
Mr Jhamat has held the Board positions of President, Vice Chairman and General Secretary and is a Life Member of the organisation. He has also provided support to the Hastings branch of New Zealand Guru Ravidas Sabha. He has been an active member of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) since 2007 and is currently Vice President of the Pukekohe branch. He has been made a Life Member of Ambedkar Sports and Cultural Club, of which he was a foundation member in 1997. He is currently the club’s auditor. He has coached young people in football, volleyball and the Punjabi game of Kabaddi. Mr Jhamat has been active with the Auckland City Multi-Ethnic Council as a Councillor for four years and is currently Assistant Treasurer.
The Queen's Service Medal
JOHNS, Mr William Richard (Dick), JP
For services to the community
Mr Dick Johns has contributed to the wider Canterbury community for several decades.
Mr Johns has volunteered for 57 years as a register leader of The Boys' Brigade, a Christian organisation that aims to facilitate the development of boys into leaders and responsible citizens. He has served as the Deputy President for 10 years and since 1996 he has been a Trustee of the Boys' Brigade’s “Sure and Stedfast” Trust and has contributed to the management of the Brigade’s various campsites throughout Canterbury. He was a volunteer at the New Zealand Police Kiosk in Cathedral Square and since early 2016 has been a weekly volunteer at Burwood Hospital to assist staff and patients. For several years he served on the Board of the organising committee for the Lions Club’s Camp Quality, an annual Camp for children with cancer. He has also volunteered his time for Santa’s Workshop Trust to create wooden toys that are donated to children in need at Christmas. Mr Johns has been a member of the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church since 1956 and has regularly hosted a ‘drop in’ centre every Friday night for 10 years to provide support and care for vulnerable persons in Christchurch Central City.
The Queen's Service Medal
LAPWOOD, Mr Karl Frederick
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and business
Mr Karl Lapwood is former Managing Director of the Huntly Joinery Manufacturing Group and is actively involved in several volunteer fire brigades in the Waikato region.
Mr Lapwood has been a key driver in expanding Huntly Joinery from employing 20 staff in 2000 to more than 120 staff today. He has undertaken many philanthropic activities through his business; sponsoring sports teams, helping organisations and supporting staff and families in need. He has also volunteered more than 23 years of service to the Huntly and Ngaruawahia Volunteer Fire Brigades and Hamilton Operational Support. In 2000 he led an initiative to establish the Huntly Emergency Services Trust, a collective that raised more than $100,000 to purchase a new rescue boat to increase water safety on the Waikato River. In 2012 he unified a management team to recruit more volunteers for the struggling Ngaruawahia Brigade. His efforts resulted in the recruitment of a further two dozen new members as well as being instrumental in fundraising more than $350,000 to purchase new support vehicles and build an Auxiliary Station. In 2015 Mr Lapwood was promoted to Chief Fire Officer of the Ngaruawahia Brigade and he also currently leads the Hamilton Operational Support unit.
The Queen's Service Medal
LOWE, Mrs Julia Rosemary, JP
For services to the community
Mrs Julia Lowe is a valued member of the Paeroa community, giving her time to a range of community activities including the Girl Guide movement and serving as a Justice of the Peace.
Mrs Lowe has served as a Justice of the Peace in Hauraki for 24 years. She was made a Life Member of the Hauraki Justice of the Peace Association in 2011, having served it as Councillor, President, and training officer. As training officer she trained 35 new Justices of the Peace and provided quarterly refresher training for the geographically diverse Hauraki JP community. She was a Trustee of the Paeroa Community Support Trust for 18 years and was involved in various sub-committees. During this time she was principally involved in the Trust’s children’s programmes, the community bus and volunteer driver programmes, and has been actively involved in supporting and organising the Day Camp outdoor programme. She has been involved with Girl Guides for more than 30 years, both at a regional level and as a National Event Committee member. Mrs Lowe was awarded an Outstanding Award in 2007 in the Hauraki District Council’s Citizens’ Awards.
The Queen's Service Medal
MABIN, Mrs Railene Denise
For services to the Plunket Society
Mrs Railene Mabin grows daffodils at Taniwha Station garden near Waipukurau, which she sells to support the Plunket Society.
Mrs Mabin initially joined her local Plunket group 45 years ago and helped with fundraising by selling bunches of daffodils at her gate, which grew into selling bunches at service stations. This eventually culminated in her vision of the Spring Festival at Taniwha Station, at which people are able to come and pick their own daffodils and donate to Plunket. Each weekend in September local volunteers wrap bunches for sale, with all proceeds going to Plunket, while attracting tourists visiting Hawke’s Bay to stop and pick their own daffodils. Over the past 25 years her efforts have resulted in more than $250,000 being raised for Plunket and contributed towards providing two cars for the local Plunket nurses, running costs for the local office and retention of the Waipukurau Plunket rooms. Mrs Mabin’s efforts were recognised with a Civic Award in 2009.
The Queen's Service Medal
MADDEN, Mr Richard Donald
For services to music
Mr Richard Madden joined the Royal Dunedin Male Choir in 1998 and has been conductor of the choir on a voluntary basis since 2001.
Mr Madden has been involved with Dunedin’s St Paul’s Cathedral Choir in various roles since the 1960s, including Assistant Director of Music. From 2007 to 2009 he was a member of the New Zealand Choral Federation Board of Governors. He has been an advisor to the Royal Schools of Music and undertook short term conducting roles with the Dunedin Sinfonia’s Academy of Strings. He has been a member of the Auditioning Panel of Dunedin Sinfonia since 2012. He has been Musical Director of Knox College Choral Scholars since 2005. He has organised biennial school shows for local musicians. Mr Madden has written more than 50 choral compositions, some of which have been performed internationally including at the Sir Edmund Hillary memorial service at the Royal Chapel at Windsor in 2008.
The Queen's Service Medal
MAY, Mrs Shirley Ann
For services to music and the community
Mrs Shirley May has promoted country music throughout New Zealand for many years.
Mrs May has been voluntary organiser of the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival for 27 years and the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival for 24 years. These festivals regularly attract more than 2,000 visitors to the Bay of Islands and provide a tourism boost in the off-season. The events encompass up to nine venues and more than 300 musicians over a three-day period. She has organised the Kawakawa Vintage Railway Concerts for the past eight years. She has been Chairperson of the Little Tennessee Country Music Club for more than 30 years and a member of the Club for 37 years. She was a committee member of Pakaraka School from 1979 to 1989 and was involved with the committee for the school’s 75th and 100th anniversary events. She is a committee member of the Pakaraka Hall and was Chairperson from 1993 to 1998. Mrs May has organised the annual neighbourhood watch Hupara Road ‘get together’ since 2011 and self-published a cake recipe book in 2013.
The Queen's Service Medal
MAYNARD, Mrs Sharon Julie
For services to Māori and education
Mrs Sharon Maynard has been an educator for more than forty years, first as a teacher, and for the past twenty-five years as manager and driving force of Turanga Ararau, an Iwi tertiary education provider offering education and employment services to Gisborne youth and mature job seekers.
Mrs Maynard has been at the forefront of adult education in the community, including literacy initiatives, and maintains important regional and national networks to promote employment and business opportunities for Gisborne and the wider Tairawhiti rohe. Mrs Maynard’s management has seen Turanga Ararau develop from a small Iwi provider to a highly regarded establishment offering a wide variety of disciplines and industries focusing on Iwi and regional development.
The Queen's Service Medal
MCKINNON, Ms Dorothy Margaret (Dot)
For services to the community
Mrs Dot McKinnon has contributed to the Whanganui community for more than 35 years.
Mrs McKinnon has served as a Trustee of the Serjeant Gallery trust, the Whanganui College Board of Trustees, and the Whanganui Community Foundation. She has served as Director and Chair of the Wellington Rotary District’s International Service Committee and has encouraged other Clubs to engage in humanitarian projects. She has volunteered her time for fundraising initiatives and helped to raise more than $150,000 for a local hospice. She is a current member of the New Zealand Health Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal and has promoted sport in New Zealand as Chair of the New Zealand Masters Games Company. She has contributed to the growth of business in Whanganui as Chair of numerous boards, including the Powerco Community Trust. She was the Deputy Mayor of Whanganui District Council for six years and was directly involved in the Iwi liaison, economic and infrastructure committees. Mrs McKinnon was a driving force behind setting up the Castlecliff Community Charitable Trust.
The Queen's Service Medal
MCRAE, Ms Gair
For services to theatre and youth
Ms Gair McRae has taught drama to the children and youth of Huntly, Maraetai, St Heliers, Bucklands Beach, and Howick for more than 50 years.
Ms McRae established the Huntly Children’s Theatre in 1962 as a young primary school teacher. She then started teaching drama from her Howick home and at the Howick Little Theatre Youth group. In 1969 she established the Bucklands Beach Children’s Theatre. Her belief in the importance of providing children with quality performance experiences often saw her self-fund props, running costs and hall hire. She later established Uxbridge Children’s and Youth Theatre, which became the Howick Children’s and Youth Theatre (HCYT) when she secured council-owned premises for it to operate from. She is a Life Member of HCYT and has taught thousands of children over the years. More than 500 students aged between five and 21 years attend HCYT classes each week and Ms McRae remains involved in teaching these classes.
The Queen's Service Medal
MCROBBIE, Mrs Janet Elaine
For services to Girl Guides and the community
Mrs Janet McRobbie is a former teacher who is a long-serving Leader in the Girls Guides and undertakes many roles in the Pokeno community.
Mrs McRobbie has served the Pokeno community quietly, effectively, and efficiently in a range of roles over a number of years. She was made a Life Member of the Pokeno Playcentre in recognition of her ongoing support. She has served as secretary of the Pokeno Hall Committee for 27 years, managing hall bookings, ensuring it is maintained, and organising the annual ANZAC Day service. She has been a Leader in the Girl Guides for 45 years, and has been acknowledged with the Totara Award, in recognition of her outstanding contribution over a sustained period of time. She serves on the Pokeno Community Committee, which works to provide a focus for new residents in the community. She is an active member of St Mary's Anglican Church, serving as organist and choir director. Mrs McRobbie teaches in the parish Sunday School, Bible in Schools, and a Bible-based after school programme.
The Queen's Service Medal
MOORE, Mr William Kevin (Kevin)
For services to outdoor education and the community
Mr Kevin Moore co-founded the not-for-profit Berwick Outdoor Experience, which offers confidence and skill-building courses, and has been a key part of its success over 25 years.
In 1989 Mr Moore suggested the Taieri Lions Club create an outdoor experience course to assist people with personal development. The first course took place in 1991 and since then more than 1,000 people have completed the eight-day course, which focuses on teamwork, leadership, confidence, and self-esteem. Mr Moore selects a range of people for each team, providing opportunities for team members to recognise each other’s contributions. He also volunteers as a tutor during the course. Participants speak highly of the positive difference his encouragement and support made to their lives. Mr Moore has also contributed his time to the community of Twizel, including 11 years volunteering as the editor of the Twizel Update, a free weekly community newspaper; active support for the Twizel Promotions Group; and service on a number of school, sport, and other committees.
The Queen's Service Medal
MORGAN, Mr Charles Arthur (Charlie)
For services to the sport of wood chopping
Mr Charles Morgan has been involved with the sport of wood chopping for more than 43 years, having co-founded the South Westland Axeman’s Club in Haast before moving to Timaru.
Mr Morgan has been involved with the New Zealand Axemen’s Association at the national level, as well as with his local Canterbury branch and the Southern Axeman’s Centre for the South Island. He is an accomplished axeman and sawyer, representing Canterbury and New Zealand in both classic (for over 50s) and veteran’s (for over 60s) events on both sides of the Tasman. He has held a number of administration positions within the sport, including the voluntary positions as convenor of handicappers for New Zealand as well as the primary handicapper for the South Island. This involves travelling to clubs and competitions throughout Southland, Nelson, Marlborough, the West Coast and Canterbury. Mr Morgan has also taught and mentored other members in the role of handicapping, a crucial role in the sport for ensuring fairness and accuracy.
The Queen's Service Medal
MORGAN, Mr James Edward
For services to the community
Mr James Morgan has been involved with a range of organisations in the Hawke’s Bay area.
Mr Morgan initiated a project to digitise and preserve historical records from the Hawke’s Bay region, establishing the Hawke’s Bay Digital Archives Trust and the Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank in 2012. He was an initial Trustee of the Hawke’s Bay Community Foundation, and spearheaded the formation of the Friends of the Pekapeka Society to fundraise for the restoration of the Pekapeka wetland. He was the founding Chairman of the Flaxmere Licensing Trust from 1975 to 1990 and the foundation Director of Trust House Ltd. He served as Director of the Hastings-Quilin Sister City Board and was National Administrator of the New Zealand Sister City Board from 2000 to 2002. He was Editor of the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune until 1998. He is a Life Member of the Hastings Group Theatre and Napier Operatic Society and was a stage director for the Napier Operatic Society in the 1970s and 1980s. He introduced Napier Operatic workshops for young actors. Mr Morgan organised the landscaping of a garden area for the Head Start Unit at Hawke’s Bay Hospital for the benefit of long term patients.
The Queen's Service Medal
MUIR, Miss Ann Shirley
For services to bowls and the community
Miss Ann Muir retired in 2011 after 45 years teaching at primary and secondary schools in Northland and was named 2016 Bowls New Zealand Coach of the Year.
Miss Muir continues to teach special needs children part-time, assists with a school lunch programme and provides financial and emotional support to disadvantaged students and their families. A previous President of Bowls New Zealand, she has represented New Zealand in Lawn Bowls as a player, coach, selector, and manager. She is the current Selector, Head Coach and a Director with the New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowling Team, which recently won the trans-Tasman tournament against Australia and will compete in the 2017 World Championships in South Africa. Miss Muir is a Life member of the Whangarei Junior Netball Association and Kensington Bowling Club, and has been Patron of Special Olympics Whangarei.
The Queen's Service Medal
OFFICER-HOLMES, Mrs Iris Mae
For services to the community
Mrs Iris Officer-Holmes has contributed to the Ashburton District for more than 60 years across a wide range of community initiatives.
In 1962 Mrs Officer-Holmes was the driving force behind the establishment of an Indoor Basketball club and she led the fundraising efforts to purchase and convert an old building into a full-sized basketball court and four badminton courts. She is a Life Member of the Mid-Canterbury Indoor Basketball Association and the Ashburton Sports Hall Association and she continues to attend the groups’ monthly meetings. She also provides voluntary service as a Marriage and Funeral Celebrant and is an Elder Emeritus of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. She is a member of several community organisations, including the Neighbourhood Watch, the Ashburton Hearing Association and the Ashburton Scottish Society. In her role as President of the Friends of the Regent Theatre she was instrumental in raising more than $50,000 towards the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. She was a District Councillor for a term. Mrs Officer-Holmes was awarded an Ashburton District Council Community Certificate in recognition of her service to her local community.
The Queen's Service Medal
O'NEILL, Mr Michael Francis
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community
Mr Michael O’Neill has served 35 years with the Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Mr O’Neill has attended numerous emergency incidents in Gore and surrounding districts. He has held a wide range of Fire Education and Prevention courses at local schools and public organisations to promote fire safety. He was made a Life Member of the Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade in recognition of his contributions to the volunteer fire service. He has contributed to the local community by serving as Parade Marshall at ANZAC Day ceremonies held in Gore and other rural districts throughout New Zealand. He is actively involved in educating schoolchildren about the ANZAC story and the service of veterans and in April 2015 he was a key player in running a Gallipoli re-enactment at St. Mary’s School in Gore. He has served as on the committee and as Junior Vice President of Gore’s Returned and Services Association and was in the New Zealand Army Reserve from 1976 to 1981. He has contributed as a player, coach and referee to the Eastern Southland Basketball Association and was awarded a Life Membership in recognition of his contributions. Mr O’Neill obtained his New Zealand Refereeing Badge in 1989 and has officiated New Zealand second division games and numerous tournaments.
The Queen's Service Medal
PALLISER, Mr Brian Scott
For services to the community
Mr Brian Palliser is a lawyer whose voluntary service to the Christchurch community has fostered overseas relations.
Mr Palliser has volunteered in a variety of roles with the New Zealand Automobile Association since 1984, including District President and District and National Councillor. He has represented the interests of private motorists in the area of traffic safety and advocated for improved public transport. He was a board member of the JR McKenzie Trust for more than 15 years. He has been a member of the Christchurch Seattle Sister City Committee for more than 25 years, including six years as Chairperson. He has helped build a strong relationship between the Antarctic Support Programme ‘Deep Freeze’ personnel and the city beginning in 1972, when the support was provided by the United States Navy, and latterly with the USAF C-17 crews based at McChord Air Force Base near Seattle. He has also worked to foster relationships with China locally, particularly encouraging cultural exchanges. Following the Canterbury earthquakes, he assisted the people of Seattle and Wuhan (China) to purchase a fast response ambulance for St John. He has been an active participant in neighbourhood watch programmes. Mr Palliser has also donated legal and notarial services to new immigrants and people seeking to adopt children from overseas.
The Queen's Service Medal
POMEROY, Mr Barry Richard
For services to veterans and the community
Mr Barry Pomeroy has been involved with the Golden Bay Returned and Services Association and the Collingwood branch of the Golden Bay RSA.
Mr Pomeroy played the bugle at ANZAC Day parades and services from 1954 until 2006 and has played with the Takaka Citizens Band. In the mid-1980s he was elected Vice President of the Collingwood branch and delegate to the Golden Bay RSA. He served as President of the Collingwood branch from 1990 until 2016. He was elected as Vice President of the Golden Bay RSA from 2011 to 2015. He is currently District Vice President of the Nelson, Marlborough and Westland RSA. He was instrumental in leading a team of local enthusiasts over a four year period to plan and execute a re-enactment of the Gallipoli Landing on the Collingwood foreshore in 2015. This event was attended by more than 1,200 people. He was a member of the Golden Bay RSA sub-committee which planned and built a Waharoa, War Memorial and Gardens in the centre of Takaka township. Within the wider community Mr Pomeroy has held a range of administrative and leadership positions with Collingwood Rugby Club, Indoor Bowls Association, Puramahoi Hall, Rockville School, Pohara Boat Club, and Golden Bay Search and Rescue among other organisations.
The Queen's Service Medal
RAVI, Mrs Prabha, JP
For services to ethnic communities and dance
Mrs Prabha Ravi has dedicated many years to promoting Indian art and culture in New Zealand.
Mrs Ravi founded the Natraj School of Dance in Wellington to teach Indian Classical Dance. The school specialises in teaching Bharatanatyam, which is a classical dance from South India. A number of its students have performed at community events in Wellington. She has performed in Canada, Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand. Over the past 17 years she has also supported a number of community organisations including the Filipino community, the Multi-cultural Council of Wellington, the Wellington Tamil Society, the Upper Hutt Multi-cultural Council, the Wellington Malayalee Association, Wellington Malaysian Association, Asia New Zealand Diwali Festival and ethnic celebrations hosted at New Zealand Parliament and for New Zealand Police. She has made an ongoing contribution to Wellington Mutamizh Sangam, a non-political, not-for-profit organisation which promotes the South Indian culture through language, music and drama. She also founded the voluntary group Namasankeerthanam in 2010. Mrs Ravi was a recipient of Civic Honour Award by Hutt City Council in 2012 and a Cultural award by Upper Hutt Multicultural Society in 2013.
The Queen's Service Medal
REILLY, Dr Claire Aileen
For services to people with Motor Neurone Disease
Dr Claire Reilly is a medical doctor who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2006 at the age of 32 years old and has turned this personal tragedy into a national awareness and fundraising campaign for the disease.
MND is a terminal degenerative neurological disease for which there is no cure. It causes gradual loss of control of the muscles of the body resulting in the loss of the ability to eat, swallow, breathe and walk. Dr Reilly conceived and brought to fruition the very first nationwide ‘Walks 2 D’Feet MND’ in September 2015, which was held in the six main centres around New Zealand and raised $75,000 from 2,500 participants. $37,000 of the fundraising supported the establishment of the MND NZ Research Fund. She was the central coordinator for the 2016 event taking place in 14 towns and cities around New Zealand and organised by volunteers, raising close to $200,000. She also conceived the concept for MND NZ’s 2016 TV commercial involving New Zealand celebrities. Dr Reilly’s advocacy for research into the disease encouraged MND NZ to extend its vision beyond support to people living with MND to actively supporting research in New Zealand.
The Queen's Service Medal
SANDER, Mr Timothy Peter
For services to pipe bands and the community
Mr Timothy Sander has been a member of the Kapiti Pipes and Drums Pipe Band since 1970 and has contributed to many performances, competitions and community events throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Mr Sander has been a key member of the Band and has lead it in more than 30 ANZAC parades in the Wellington area. He has volunteered his time to teach music in his local community and has instructed hundreds of community parades. He has represented New Zealand in several overseas Pipe Band Championships. He has been a member of the Kapiti Caledonian Society for more than 30 years and has directed, produced and performed in musicals, Scottish shows and performances for community groups on the Kapiti Coast. In 2010, Mr Sander was awarded Life Membership of the Kapiti Pipes and Drums Pipe Band in recognition of his service to the band and tutoring of young children and adults.
The Queen's Service Medal
SCAMMELL, Mrs Frances Jean
For services to the community
Mrs Frances Scammell has given service to a range of organisations in the Gore community since the late 1970s.
Mrs Scammell has been involved with the Gore and Districts Senior Citizens Club for 18 years and has been Secretary and kitchen convenor. She has been involved with the Gore and Districts Motorcycle Club for 35 years and has been Secretary and Treasurer in addition to various race day and event related roles. She has driven clients to medical appointments with Red Cross Community Transport for eight years. She has been Secretary/Treasurer of Gore Gold Star for the New Zealand Fire Service, and has held other roles with the organisation over the course of 20 years. She has been a member of the Gore Daffodil Day Committee for the Cancer Society for five years and has been responsible for delivering daffodils and overseeing volunteers on collection days. She was Treasurer and caterer for the Gordon Bowling Club. Mrs Scammell is a Life Member of both the Gore and Districts Motorcycle Club and Senior Citizens Club, and of Motorcycling New Zealand.
The Queen's Service Medal
SHELLEY, Mr Miles Duncan
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community
Mr Miles Shelley joined the Ngatea Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1975 and held various positions within the brigade including Treasurer, Training Officer, Station Officer, and Chief Fire Officer from 2010.
Under Mr Shelley’s leadership the brigade has increased its membership numbers and he has encouraged members to seek qualifications to ensure sustainability and succession planning within the brigade. He provided assistance to the Turua Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2014 and 2015 when the brigade was struggling with numbers and lack of leadership. He organised joint training sessions and mentoring of potential leaders within the brigade and later became Chief Fire Officer in 2015, in addition to his role with Ngatea Brigade. He has regularly installed smoke alarms for people throughout the community. He has been a First Responder with Hauraki Plains St John Ambulance since 1978. He organised a system utilising a quad bike to retrieve patients in an emergency and bring them to a roadside for pick up by ambulance, in situations where ambulances could not get access and before helicopters were widely used. Mr Shelley has been a member of the Parent Teacher Association and Board of Trustees of Ngatea Primary School and served as Treasurer.
The Queen's Service Medal
SHIELDS, Mr Julian Mervyn
For services to the community
Mr Julian Shields set up a Nelson branch of Habitat for Humanity in 1995, a worldwide not-for-profit organisation which aims to build houses for families in need.
Through Mr Shields’ efforts funds were raised for the first home to be built and since that time 23 total homes have been built by Nelson Habitat for Humanity. He chaired the Nelson branch from inception until stepping down in 2016. He also took on the role of project manager, sourcing donated materials and recruiting volunteers and tradesmen, and delivering many presentations to men’s groups and church congregations to raise awareness of Habitat for Humanity. He was previously involved in the establishment of Altrusa House in 1992, while working with Keith Hay Homes, which provides accommodation for relatives of out-of-town patients at Nelson hospital. He has been a volunteer host at the Nelson Mission to Seafarers, which provides a shore-based facility for visiting sailors, and is involved with Grace Church of Richmond. In 2004 Mr Shields travelled to India at his own expense to help with the recovery efforts following the Boxing Day tsunami.
The Queen's Service Medal
SIMMONDS, Mr Peter Bruce
For services to theatre
Mr Peter Simmonds has been involved with the Christchurch Operatic Society, now Showbiz Christchurch, since 1950.
Mr Simmonds has been a member of the Executive of the Christchurch Operatic Society and has served as Chair and Vice-President among other roles. In his 57 year career as an actor he has performed in numerous leading roles including productions of ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Oliver’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. His last role was Gus in a 2007 production of 'Cats'. He was offered opportunities to perform in the West End and on Broadway, but declined to continue his contributions to Christchurch. In 1975 he established the Save the Royal committee to preserve the historic Isaac Theatre Royal and in 2004 he lobbied the Christchurch City Council and was successful in saving the historic Odeon Theatre from demolition. In 2013 he successfully negotiated the purchase of new premises for the Christchurch Music Theatre Education Trust, which is now being used by contemporary dance companies and the Body Festival administration team. Mr Simmonds was first elected to the Christchurch Music Theatre Education Trust in 1997 and has been Chairman since 1999.
The Queen's Service Medal
SPEARPOINT, Mr Geoffrey Brian (Geoff)
For services to outdoor recreation
Mr Geoff Spearpoint has made a significant contribution to conservation and outdoor recreation in New Zealand through writing various books and maintaining hut facilities.
Mr Spearpoint’s first book ‘Waking to the Hills: Tramping in New Zealand’ was published in 1985. He went on to edit ‘Moirs Guide North’ (1998) and has co-authored ‘The Canterbury Westland Alps: A Climbing and Transalpine Guide’ (2010), ‘Shelter from the Storm: The Story of New Zealand’s Backcountry Huts’ (2012) and ‘A Bunk for the Night: A Guide to New Zealand’s Best Backcountry Huts’ (2016). He has also written numerous articles for club journals and Wilderness magazine. He was a guide on the 2004 TVNZ series ‘Explorers’ and in 2012 and 2013 he was the lead guide and an advisor to the TVNZ series ‘First Crossings’. In recent years he has made a significant contribution to maintaining and restoring Department of Conservation backcountry huts. He has lead projects such as restoring the Tunnel Creek Hut, Roaring Billy Hut and Thomas River Hut in South Westland. He played a significant role supporting the Canterbury University Tramping Club project to restore Avoca Hut near Arthur’s Pass. Mr Spearpoint is a Life Member of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club and the New Zealand Alpine Club.
The Queen's Service Medal
STADE, Ms Karen Elizabeth
For services to historical research and the community
Ms Karen Stade has been a member of the Nelson Historical Society since 2006 and has been President twice since 2011.
Ms Stade has curated several exhibitions at the Nelson Provincial Museum, which have included ‘Kiwi Keith’ on the life of former Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake, and World War One centennial exhibitions examining Nelson’s wartime experiences. She has authored or co-authored a number of publications on Nelson’s history, covering such subjects as New Zealand’s first Chinese immigrant, Nelson’s Italian community, landmarks and family histories. She is a member of Whakatu Rotary Club and will serve as Club President from June 2017 to 2018. Ms Stade has fundraised in Nelson for Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign.
The Queen's Service Medal
STEVENS, Miss Daphne Gretta Mary
For services to music
Miss Daphne Stevens has taught piano and music theory to generations of young musicians over more than 60 years.
Miss Stevens has had a long involvement with the Registered Music Teachers Society and her pupils have performed in numerous recitals over the years. She was involved in organising workshops and concerts for the New Zealand Suzuki Teachers Association from 2008 to 2013. She has been involved with Waitoki Community Church, having played the organ for services for many years. She co-established ‘Mainly Music’ at Waitoki in 2009, a music and support programme for preschool children and their caregivers held every Monday morning, as well as the monthly Thursday Community Coffee Group for which she has organised guest speakers on a wide range of subjects. She has also played the organ at services for St Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Church in Kaukapakapa and organises and coordinates a fundraising afternoon concert of local musicians once a month. She has been on the Advisory Committee of the Kaukapakapa Public Cemetery since its establishment in 1982. She was on the organising committee for the Waitoki School 90th celebrations in 2014. Miss Stevens has been involved with Age Concern Rodney.
The Queen's Service Medal
SUTHERLAND, Mr Roderick John (Rod)
For services to athletics, cycling and the community
Mr Rod Sutherland has been a member of Athletics and Cycling Masterton (ACM) for 58 years.
Mr Sutherland has been a member of the ACM committee and has assisted with the running of the Wairarapa Country Marathon and other local events over the years. He helped instigate and assisted in organising the Pedal for Parkinsons cycle ride in conjunction with the annual Huri Huri cycling event, held annually in the Wairarapa for all levels of participation. He has supported several local people with disabilities such as Parkinsons and sight impairment as a tandem cyclist, allowing them to maintain physical fitness and engage in competition level cycling. He is an active member of Parkinsons Wairarapa and has been the organiser of the annual Parkinsons Awareness week for the past seven years. He is involved with fundraising initiatives for the local Parkinsons committee. He has been an active member of Masteron South Rotary Club for 21 years and has served as President. He has been involved in a range of projects including the building of the Kid’s Own Playground, the Masterton Intermediate School reading programme, and organising up to three club teams to participate in the Round Taupo Cycle race. Mr Sutherland assisted with the formation of the Millennium Reserve and has raised funds for equipment to maintain the Reserve.
The Queen's Service Medal
TE TAI HOOK, Mrs Marara Kaweora, JP
For services to Māori
Mrs Marara Te Tai Hook has contributed significantly to the Hapu of Ngati Kuta and Patu Keha in Te Tai Tokerau.
Mrs Te Tai Hook has been heavily involved in traditional activities on Bay of Islands Marae, especially on her home Marae of Te Rawhiti. She is recognised as the senior Kuia and has passed on her tikanga knowledge to the younger generations. As a central figure in the establishment of Te Mahurehure Marae and Hoani Waititi in West Auckland, she also helped establish a welfare committee to provide food, clothing and shelter for people in need in the urban community. The first Māori to do shorthand in English and Māori, her secretarial skills were honed by serving on various Trust Boards for years under notable Māori leaders. She was Secretary and Treasurer for the Te Rawhiti Marae Trust for many years. Mrs Te Tai Hook has been a ‘hands on’ leader for her Hapu, her involvement in pest control projects has helped ensure the successful return of native birds to the Islands and mainland and restore fishery in the Bay.
The Queen's Service Medal
THORBURN, Mrs Valerie Joan (Val)
For services to music education
Mrs Val Thorburn has been involved with the development of the Suzuki method for teaching the violin in New Zealand since 1984 and is recognised as a leading senior teacher.
Mrs Thorburn has been a member and teacher trainer of the Auckland Branch and the New Zealand branch of the Suzuki Institute (NZSI) and has held the office of President in both organisations. She has also served as a member of the Professional Advisory Group of NZSI and the Teacher Trainers Group. Most recently she established the Tauranga Branch of the NZSI. She has been an examiner for the New Zealand Music Examination Board and was an examiner for the Australian Music Examination Board from 1977 to 1983. From 1984 until 2000 she was itinerant violin teacher at a number of Auckland schools. Mrs Thorburn has also been a member of the Auckland Radio Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the early 1960s and again from 1972 to 1983.
The Queen's Service Medal
WATKIN, Mr Evan Allan
For services to cricket
Mr Evan Watkin has been a cricket umpire in Wellington since 1982 and has now completed 35 seasons umpiring the game, including 24 seasons from 1989 to 2013 on New Zealand Cricket’s First Class panel.
During those 24 seasons Mr Watkin umpired 135 First Class games, which included three Test matches, 177 One-day games including 23 One-day Internationals, and 38 Twenty20 games including three Internationals. He was on the Executive Committee of the local umpires association for 28 years, during which he spent 24 years as the appointments officer, 14 years as Treasurer, and eight years as Chairman. He was made a Life Member in 2010 and has a cup named after him, which is awarded to the most promising new umpire in Wellington each season. He has been working on updating the archive on New Zealand Cricket’s website since 2006. He has created a history of women’s domestic cricket, which began in 1932. Mr Watkin also runs a table tennis club in Porirua during the winter months.
The Queen's Service Medal
WATSON, Mrs Cara June
For services to music
Mrs Cara Watson is an accomplished piano teacher and examiner who has contributed to her local community in Napier for more than 50 years and at national and international levels.
Mrs Watson is a regular contributor to the Hawke’s Bay Branch of Registered Music Teachers and was Vice Chairperson for a time. Since the inception of the Young Musician of the Year competition she has supported a number of her top students by giving her free time to help them rehearse for the competition. She regularly organises and financially supports local concerts that are not only free to the public, but that also enable young musicians to showcase their skills. She has organised between one to three student concerts a year for the last 35 years. She has subsidized several students who, due to their financial circumstances, have been unable to pay for lessons for lengthy periods. She also volunteers her time to teach children with Asperger’s Syndrome and learning difficulties. Many of her students have achieved the highest marks in New Zealand for various exams and awards. Mrs Watson prepares students for Trinity College and Royal Schools Examinations for both Piano and Theory of Music.
The Queen's Service Medal
WHITE, Mrs Dawn Betty
For services to veterans
Mrs Dawn White has contributed 71 years of voluntary service to Women’s Sections of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.
Mrs White was a member of the Pukekohe Returned and Services Association’s Women’s Section from 1945 until 1988, which included 35 years as a committee member, five years as Vice President and 12 years as President. On relocation to Waihi Beach she joined the Waihi Beach Returned and Services Association Women’s Section in 1989. She took on the role of Women’s Welfare Officer and continues in this position today. In this role she has previously travelled up to 900 kilometres a week taking RSA members to and from hospital appointments around the district for no compensation. As part of the ANZAC World War One centenary commemorations in 2015 she knitted and crocheted 500 poppies of various sizes, which were arranged in a display at the RSA. She was involved with the Waihi and Districts Pakeke Lions Club and played a key role in getting the Club chartered. She held most offices with the Club and was Zone Chairperson. Mrs White was also an office holder with the Waihi Beach Lioness Club.