AIM, Mrs Jane Morice Barraud
For services to the community
Mrs Jane Aim has worked voluntarily for a number of Wellington community organisations and has principally been involved with the preservation and enhancement of Old St Paul’s in Thorndon.
Mrs Aim is currently Deputy Chairperson of the Friends of Old St Paul’s Society, having been a committee member from 1965 and serving as Chairperson from 1991 until 2014. In the 1960s she made a significant contribution to ensuring that Old St Paul’s remained on its original site to become a Category One Historic Building. She was on the initial Old St Paul’s Advisory Committee. The Church continues to attract large numbers of visitors, many of them tourists, and is one of the most visited heritage places in New Zealand. She served as a Board member of Philanthropy New Zealand from 1994 to 2005. She has been a committee member of the Friends of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery since 1993 and a member of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation’s Wellington committee since 2006. Mrs Aim has raised funds for various organisations and projects, including for the beautification of Oriental Bay and the development of a children’s playground at Freyberg Beach by the Wellington City Council and the Oriental Bay Residents Association.
ALLERTON, Mr David Graham Martin (Dave)
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and sailing
Mr Dave Allerton was involved with the Urenui Volunteer Fire Brigade from 1976 and was Deputy Chief Fire Officer from 1996 to 2004.
Mr Allerton has been legally blind since 2002 but has continued to offer his support as a member of the Brigade, having ceased operational duties. Almost single-handedly he raised funds for the restoration of the Urenui Volunteer Fire Brigade’s 1934 fire engine and was a driving force behind the raising of funds to acquire a new van for the Brigade’s use. He was part of a small team who worked on preparations for the Brigade’s 50th Jubilee. He has been a member and President for five years of the Urenui Community Centre Management Committee. He has made significant contributions to promoting and raising funds for building projects in the Urenui community. He was Commodore of the Waitara Boating Club from 1991 to 2000, is a Life Member and continues to serve as a committee member. Since 2005 he has been a team member of the New Zealand Blind Sailing Association and in 2011 he helped instigate and lead the Taranaki Sailability Trust to promote sailing for disabled. Mr Allerton played an active role in fundraising to purchase special Hansa class yachts for the Trust.
AMMUNDSEN, Ms Diane Mary
For services to the community
Ms Diane Ammundsen has been a Councillor for the Kapiti Coast District Council since 1989 and has contributed to the Kapiti community in a range of areas.
Ms Ammundsen became the Assistant District Commissioner Paraparaumu Beach Girl Guides District in 1975, before serving as District Commissioner of Paraparaumu Beach District from 1980 to 1989 and receiving several service awards. She has been active with the Kapiti Uniting Parish, serving on various church committees and taking a leadership role with Sunday schools and youth groups, and volunteering her time to support fundraising activities. She was involved in the establishment of the June Oakley Memorial Trust, which provides assistance and training to young people, and has been the Secretary of the Trust since 1987. She has been instrumental in the formation and continuance of a number of local environmental groups, and has contributed at both administration and hands on levels. These groups include Keep Kapiti Beautiful, Kapiti Environmental Action, Arbour Day in Schools, and Wharemauku Stream and Tikotu Stream Care and Restoration groups. Ms Ammundsen was appointed as a Trustee of the Kapiti Coast Multi-Purpose Aquatic and Recreation Centre Trust in 2008, and over a six year period headed the community funding activities to develop and build the centre.
ANDERSON, Ms Fiona Jane
For services to the community
Ms Fiona Anderson has made voluntary contributions to the Piha community for the past 15 years.
Ms Anderson runs the Piha Domain Motor Camp. For the last three years she has offered the use of her camping ground free of charge for the low decile Ranui School to hold an annual camp for the Year 6 students. She helps facilitate this at her own expense, working with local businesses and the community to provide food ranging from fresh baking to pizza and roast meals for the event, proving cabins for the staff and purchasing tents for the students to use. She has volunteered with the Piha First Response Unit since 2000. She has run weekly Narcotics Anonymous support meetings for alcoholics and recovering addicts at her home for the past four years. She has volunteered as a librarian at the Piha Community Library since 2000. Ms Anderson has organised car boot sale fundraisers and sought donations to help with the Library’s operational costs.
BENDA, Mrs Hannah Estelle (Ann)
For services to the Jewish community and women
Mrs Ann Benda was President of the Wellington branch of the Council of Jewish Women New Zealand (CJWNZ) for 12 years and continues to serve on its committee and as convenor of Social Services.
Mrs Benda has encouraged her branch to hold functions for the general community to hear talks on Judaism or to attend tours of the Synagogue. She has volunteered with the Chevra Kaddisha (Jewish Burial Society) for 35 years, helping to prepare the bodies of Jewish women for burial. She assisted with the formation of the Wellington Women’s Interfaith Group. She played a key role in the organisation of the 75th anniversary celebrations of CJWNZ. She is Secretary of the National body of CJWNZ and has helped run three national conferences. She was appointed as Deputy Chair of the Asia Pacific Region by the International Council of Jewish Women in 2010. She is a member of the National Council of New Zealand Women Hutt Valley Branch, serving on the executive and as Vice President and has served as President of Zonta in the Hutt Valley. Mrs Benda volunteers as a remedial reading teacher at Rata Street Primary School through the Lower Hutt Probus club, of which she has been Club President.
BROWN, Mrs Hilary Anne
For services to the community and public speaking
Mrs Hilary Brown has made longstanding contributions to the wider Taupo area over the past 30 years and has been a donor and sponsor of a wide range community groups.
Mrs Brown is heavily involved with International Training in Communication (ITC), a global organisation based in the United States and trading as Powertalk International which provides public speaking training. She is a past International President of ITC and continues as a Fellow and Certified Speech Contest Judge of ITC. She was the first person in Taupo to achieve ITC’s Distinguished Communicator accreditation. In 2011 she represented New Zealand in the World Speech Contest in Indianapolis. She and her husband were founding donors of the Geyser Community Foundation Taupo Fund, which contributes to a range of local causes in the Taupo and Turangi region. She has served on a number of boards and committees within the Taupo region. She served as the Taupo representative on the former Hamilton Education Board then served nine years on Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Board of Trustees including six years as Chairperson. Mrs Brown was a director on the Board of Lake Taupo University College.
CALLAHAN, Mr Douglas Frederick (Doug)
For services to trampolining
Mr Doug Callahan established the Gisborne Trampoline Club in 1978 and has been coaching trampoline for 40 years.
Mr Callahan has coached recreational trampolinists through to World Open and Age Group Title winners. The Club entered a partnership with the Gisborne Gymnastic Club to form the Gisborne Youth Sports Charitable Trust and purchase their own building which became the Electrinet Sports Centre Building. The Club went on to produce 35 New Zealand representatives and has won World Open and Age titles. He is a Senior Gymsports Coach and is a national qualified judge. He has been selected as New Zealand coach on a number of occasions for World Championships between 1989 and 2007. He is involved in setting up and running the annual Schools Gymnastic and Trampoline Championships. He spearheaded fundraising efforts to ensure competing children had the finance to travel and compete internationally. He coaches a number of special needs students, in particular children with autism, who have responded well to trampolining. He also ran competitions for local Surf Lifesaving Clubs from 1982 to 1998 and developed a national title winning power tumbling team until it was removed as a competitive sport from Gymsports.
CHOTE, Mr Billie Nelson Walter Hector
For services to education
Mr Billie Chote has been working for more than 60 years in education.
Mr Chote retired in 2014, but continues to work as an employee and volunteer at local schools, contributing two days to mentor students with behavioural problems and support students who are struggling with mathematics. As well as working as a teacher, deputy principal and principal he worked for 25 years as a visiting teacher and special education advisor in Special Education to improved education for at-risk young people. He also worked to support the families of at-risk young people and was instrumental in supporting the Director of Te Aroha Noa Community Services, based in the lower socio-economic and multicultural Palmerston North suburb of Highbury, with establishing programmes to provide multi-disciplinary services to support young families. He has gone above and beyond his core role as a teacher to support his students and their families to build lasting connections through relationships based on trust and mutual respect. In 1980 Mr Chote won a Commonwealth Exchange Award allowing him to teach in Birmingham, England.
CRAWFORD, Ms Mary-Anne Mereana, JP
For services to the community
Ms Mary-Anne Crawford has been involved with numerous community organisations in Tolaga Bay for the past 35 years.
Ms Crawford has led a Victim Support Group in Tolaga Bay and has supported the local Volunteer Fire Brigade. She has been a member of the Uawa Safer Community Team and coordinates a network of volunteers for the Uawa Crime Watch Patrol. She was a key driver of a Community Action Youth and Drugs campaign for drug and alcohol free grounds during rugby games at the Uawa Domain, to ensure a positive and safe experience for families. She has had an ongoing involvement with all five marae in Tolaga Bay. She is a Civil Defence Coordinator, an active Māori Warden and Truancy Officer of Ngati Porou schools and a whanau support worker. She played a major supporting role in the 100 Years Anzac Commemoration Service in 2015. She was a founding member is currently Trustee of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti Hauroa. Ms Crawford has been a Trustee for the restoration of Reynolds Hall and the Save the Wharf Charitable Trust.
CRONIN, Mr Bruce William Peter, JP
For services to the community
Mr Bruce Cronin was Trust Manager of the Bay of Plenty Community Trust (BayTrust) from 1997 to 2014.
In recognition of Mr Cronin’s service to the Trust a post-graduate scholarship was established in his name for any student in the Bay of Plenty studying science in New Zealand. He has been Trustee and Deputy Chair of Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) over the period 1996 to 2015, during which time the Trust’s capital fund has grown from $42 million to $700 million. Previously he was General Manager of TrustBank Bay of Plenty from 1991 to 1996. He has been Chair of the Western Bay of Plenty Disability Support Trust. In 2009 he was appointed a foundation Director of Financial Services Complaints Ltd, an independent not-for-profit dispute resolution service, and was recently reappointed for a further two-year term. Mr Cronin was a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a Charted Accountant, both positions relinquished following his retirement from full-time employment at the end of 2014.
CURTICE, Mr Rodger Leslie
For services to surf life saving
Mr Rodger Curtice has given 57 years of voluntary service to the Piha Surf Life Saving Club, including time as President, and continues to patrol the beach with the Active Reserve ‘Grey Watch’ Patrol.
Mr Curtice organised the sponsorship of boats, equipment and funding for club building extensions for the Piha Club. He served 31 years on the Management Committee of the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association, now Surf Life Saving Northern Region. He assisted in the running and patrolling of two New Zealand Surf Life Saving Associations National Championships, in Piha and Napier respectively. He was made a Life Member of the Piha Surf Life Saving Club in 1994, of the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association in 1989 and the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Association in 2011. He was involved from inception with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Service as Helicopter Controller and was a key player in obtaining sponsorship from Westpac. He co-founded the Auckland Jet Boat Rescue Service in 1974 and was responsible for organising the sponsorship of the first two jet rescue boats based on Auckland’s West Coast. Mr Curtice was President of the Piha Returned and Services Association from 2003 to 2014 and is a foundation member of the Mangere Rotary Club.
DAVIDSON, Mr Kenneth Gordon (Ken)
For services to the community
Mr Ken Davidson, a bridge builder by trade, has volunteered his time to assist the Otautau community with various projects.
Mr Davidson has assisted with the building and on-going maintenance of the local swimming pool, the laying of tennis and netball courts and the construction of the Netball Pavilion. He was an integral member of the team of volunteers which helped construct the Otautau Combined Sports Complex. In retirement he continues to perform general maintenance duties for the township, such as unblocking drains, clearing grass from gutters and planting trees and shrubs. He instigated, built and helps maintain the floodbank walkways within the township. He spent many years as a coach, manager and selector for the Otautau Rugby Football Club, of which he is a Life Member. He also managed, selected and coached Western Southland Rugby teams of all grades for eight years and has been on the committees of Otautau Rugby, Western Rugby, Southland Country and the Southland Rugby Union for many years. He served as Mayor of Otautau in the late 1970s and served on the Wallace Community Board from 1989 to 1998 and 2004 to 2013. Mr Davidson is currently a member of the Otautau Community Board and has served a total of 37 years on local bodies.
DAVIES, Mrs Mary
For services to music
Mrs Mary Davies has been a piano teacher in Central Hawke’s Bay for more than 40 years.
Mrs Davies has been involved with the annual Central Hawke’s Bay College musical competition for a number of years. She has been an accompanist at the annual Charitable Opera in the Park at Orawharo and accompanist for the Central Hawke’s Bay Concert Choir since its inception 11 years ago. Mrs Davies has been organist at St Mark’s Anglican Church for 40 years and is presently assistant organist at St Mary’s Anglican Church Waipukurau and several other parishes in the region.
DONNITHORNE, Mr Garry John
For services to the community
Mr Garry Donnithorne has been a Trustee of St John of God Trust since 2006, was a Trustee of St John of God Health and Disability Services from 2000 to 2008 and a Trustee of St John of God Waipuna Youth and Community Service Trust from 2007 to 2009.
Mr Donnithorne began his involvement with the St John of God Hebron and Community Trust in 1994 by supplying vehicles to transport the young people attending the various courses and programmes offered by the Trust. From 2009 to 2013 he was Chairperson of St John of God Hauora Trust, having been a member of the Board since inception. The Trust provides residential healthcare to people with severe neurological or physical conditions and social services to more than 1,700 socially vulnerable people annually. In this role he led the preservation of one of Canterbury’s final remaining heritage churches, the St John of God Chapel at Aidenfield, merged two trusts into a single entity and led the organisation to provide services outside of Canterbury as a national service provider. Since 2009 Mr Donnithorne has been a Board member of Higgins Bequest Trust, which supports the needs of elderly residents of Hawke’s Bay, and a Board member and Deputy Chair of Nazareth Care Trust since 2010.
DRUMMOND, Mr Kevin James
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mr Kevin Drummond was involved with the Waiuku Volunteer Fire Brigade from 1960 to 2011.
Mr Drummond was Deputy Fire Officer for 22 years before being promoted to Chief Fire Officer and serving a further eight years until his retirement in 2011. He has continued to support the brigade since his retirement. In the late 60s he was a member of the Waiuku Brigade’s Competition Team and competed in United Fire Brigades Association competitions at local and national levels. Mr Drummond has been involved with his local community through his church, scouts, school activities, yachting, rugby and hockey.
EDWARDS, Mrs Jennifer Marion (Jenny)
For services to people with cancer
Mrs Jenny Edwards initiated the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Group and has been its coordinator for 25 years.
The Group was established to provide financial assistance and guidance to cancer patients and their families allowing them to continue their lives with as little stress and discomfort as possible. Along with organising a financial programme to fund this goal, Mrs Edwards has acted as an advocate, support person and intermediary at medical interviews. She has guided the rehabilitation of many patients. Mrs Edwards and her team’s compassionate efforts have been significant in helping cancer sufferers and their families cope with their burden.
FARIS, Mrs Judith Ann (Judy)
For services to music and the community
Mrs Judy Faris has taught music and singing to hundreds of children in schools in the Alexandra and Dunedin communities, and also formed the Central Singers Choir in Alexandra, of which she was the musical director, accompanist and conductor from 1994 to 2004.
Mrs Faris was the official accompanist for 27 years on a voluntary basis for the Royal Dunedin Male Choir. She performed with the Choir for Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in 1970 and in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1980. She is the only woman to have been awarded the Royal Dunedin Male Choir’s highest honour ‘The Golden Lyre’, presented in 1990. She was also accompanist to many opera and classical singers around New Zealand and has helped raise thousands of dollars for different disaster relief benefits. She was on the fundraising committee for the Friends of Dunstan from 2002 to 2013 and helped raise funds for the new Dunstan Hospital. Mrs Faris worked for the Central Otago Health Incorporated Board as an elected member of the Alexandra Ward from 2007 until 2014.
FARLEY, Mrs Noeline Helen
For services to the community
Mrs Noeline Farley has volunteered her skills as a fundraiser to various causes in Auckland, principally Hospice since the 1970s.
Mrs Farley, who has had 35 years involvement with several hospices, was a foundation Trustee of the South Auckland Hospice and served as Board Chair in 1985. She played a key role in initiating the formation of the Hibiscus Coast Hospice and was elected a Foundation Trustee in 1992. She instigated the Hibiscus Hospice Women’s Fundraising Committee in 1995 and was an active member until 2013, during which time the Committee raised more than $1 million. She was New Zealand coordinator for a worldwide event ‘Messiah – Voices for Hospices’, which raised more than $2 million. She was Fundraising Manager of Auckland Aotea Centre Trust Board Capital Campaign from 1985 to 1989. She was the Fundraising Development Manager for Lifeline in 1989. Mrs Farley was an advisory consultant to Glendowie College’s International Baccalaureate Trust from 1992 to 1993.
FRISBY, Mr Ross Bernard
For services to football
Mr Ross Frisby has been the Junior Convenor of the Birkenhead United Football Club for more than 15 years, managing three tournaments per year and overseeing more than 60 coaches and 850 players from five years of age up to 17 years.
In this voluntary role Mr Frisby spends between 20 to 30 hours per week organising midget, junior and youth football programmes throughout winter. Every Saturday between 6.30am and 6.30pm he performs various tasks around the club from managing equipment, preparing and packing up fields and running the junior prize giving, and spends most of each Sunday assisting with the Women and Youth football programmes. He single-handedly organises a summer football competition for local schools in the Beach Haven area, which involves liaising with schools, setting up fields, organising game days and refereeing games. He has ensured football is affordable and accessible for all children in the community where socioeconomic factors have meant difficulties for some children to afford to play. Mr Frisby oversees the organisation for the club’s float for the annual Santa Parade and representation of the Club at the ANZAC Day parade.
GASPARICH, Mrs Sheila
For services to the community
Mrs Sheila Gasparich has contributed to a range of community organisations in the Hibiscus Coast area.
Mrs Gasparich was a founding member of Age Concern Rodney and has been a member of the committee since 2002. She was coordinator of the Hibiscus Coast Community House from 1990 to 2000. She oversaw the development from a single house to a complex of three buildings, including a childcare building offering play groups, out-of-school care and early childhood education. She is a volunteer with the Silverdale and Districts Historical Society. She has spent more than 25 years tending to the 129-year old Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Silverdale and was a Vestry member for this time. She has led fundraising initiatives for the preservation of the church and organised working bees to maintain the building. She was the driving force behind the installation of a sprinkler system in the church. She coordinated the New Zealand Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day fundraising event in Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast area from 1989 to 2009. Mrs Gasparich has volunteered at the St Chad’s Op Shop since 2008, overseeing the rostering of 50 volunteers, keeping the store stocked with stationary and managing excess stock of donated items.
GERRAND, Mr Maurice James
For services to the community
Mr Maurice Gerrand has served the community of Huntly for 55 years.
Mr Gerrand was a foundation member of Kimihia Home and Hospital for the elderly and served as a Board member from 1970 to 2004. He has been involved with projects to build extensions to Kimihia and the Huntly Lions Club’s construction of units for accommodation at Kimihia Home. He built and installed an aviary for the residents of Kimihia to enjoy. He has contributed his time to carrying out small maintenance jobs and providing transport for residents of the Home. He served as President of the Huntly Lions Club in the early 1970s and has held various roles with Huntly Jaycees, including President in the mid-1980s. He has been involved in the Lions project Camp David, which arranges holidays for cancer affected children. He has worked on the commemoration of the Ralph Mine Disaster of 1914 in which 43 miners lost their lives, with a memorial erection on the disaster’s centenary in 2014 of a replica mine ‘poppet head’ off the main street of Huntly. The graves of 43 miners which had fallen into disrepair, some being unidentifiable, were also restored through Mr Gerrand’s careful research and under his guidance.
HALLAM, Ms Valma Eunice
For services to people with Alzheimer's and dementia
Ms Valma Hallam has been involved in providing support to people with Alzheimer’s or Dementia in the Tauranga area for the last 30 years.
Ms Hallum has been a member of the Wesley Methodist Church for 40 years. With support from the church, she began as a lone voluntary part time field officer working with people who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their families. She is now a senior field officer for the Tauranga Alzheimer Society. She visits families in their homes to offer support, evaluate their needs and ensure they are getting the support they are entitled to. She established and maintains support groups, networks with other health professionals involved with the Older Persons Services in the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, is involved with the education of new staff members, community groups and the public on managing and understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Ms Hallum is regarded as a practical, dedicated capable and caring person who has devoted her life to helping families cope with Dementia.
HANNA, Ms Bronwyn Sadie
For services to the New Zealand Cadet Forces
Ms Bronwyn Hanna has been an officer with the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) since 1998, reaching the rank of Squadron Leader.
During this time Ms Hanna has been the Unit Commander of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit from 2005 to 2008 and No. 35 (Whakatane) Squadron Air Training Corps since 2008. As a Junior Officer she decided to become qualified when her superiors left No. 35 Squadron so that she could take on the role of Unit Commander to keep the Unit running. She has often been the sole officer running the unit and was the Acting Unit Commander in addition to her Unit Commander role with the Eastern Bay of Plenty Unit. She has led and been chaperone for many successful overseas cadet trips and has fundraised for these trips. She has given up her own time during weekdays and weekends to provide cadets with additional training before courses and competitions. She has encouraged cadets into community service with the RSA, contributing to ANZAC commemorations, collecting donations for Plunket, and assisting Lions and Hospice Bay of Plenty. Ms Hanna has been awarded the Cadet Force Medal for 12 years continuous service.
HANSEN, Mrs Kathleen Ann (Kath)
For services to historical research
Mrs Kath Hansen is an amateur historian who has researched the contributions made to New Zealand’s bicultural history by the descendants of Captain Thomas Hansen.
Captain Hansen was the Master of the brig Active which brought missionary settlers to Hohi, Bay of Islands in 1814, and whose children were New Zealand’s first permanent European settlers. Mrs Hansen began researching the Hansen family in 1968 and formed a committee in 1987 with her husband Stan to organise the 175th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of the First Family. In 1988 she was elected secretary/treasurer of the committee and was later made a Life Member. She helped organise a re-enactment of the landing of the First Family, which was attended by Sir Paul Reeves as Governor General in 1989. She helped organise the construction of a scale model of the brig Active, displayed at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and the erecting of a Hansen memorial at Marsden Cross Historical Reserve, unveiled in 1991 and regularly maintained by her and Stan Hansen. She liaised with Department of Conservation in Kerikeri to establish a track from Marsden Cross to the Hansen Memorial. Between 1992 and 2014 Mrs Hansen wrote and published books at own expense on the history of Hansen family.
HODGE, Mrs Kataraina
For services to Māori
Mrs Kataraina Hodge has been the Chairperson of Whakamārama Marae for more than fifteen years and has been actively involved in the deliberation and advancement of Treaty claims for Raukawa and other matters involving her iwi.
Mrs Hodge is currently a trustee on the Raukawa Settlement Trust for Whakamārama Marae and the Deputy Chairperson and Acting Co-General Manager for Raukawa Charitable Trust, the operation services entity of Raukawa Settlement Trust. She was an instrumental member of the Raukawa Research Sub-Committee in designing a holistic approach to the Raukawa Treaty Settlements. As a result the beneficiaries from the 16 affiliate marae of the Raukawa Settlement Trust now receive grants for a range of activities as well as iwi led social, health and environment services. The 16 marae are represented in an enduring and successful governance model that continues to be used within the Raukawa Settlement Trust, a testament to her inluence in shaping the makeup of the Post Settlement entity. She has been a leading supporter of conservation efforts, particulary of the Waikato River. She has been an active participant in the Waikato River Iwi Accord and governance and co-management arrangements related to the river. Mrs Hodge has played an integral role within the Maungatauri Ecological Island Trust, and is currently Co-Chair of Healthy Rivers Wai Ora.
KELLY, Mr Michael George (Mick)
For services to the community
Mr Mick Kelly was the founding President of the Whangamata Marina Society in 1992 and remains a committee member and Life Member.
Mr Kelly committed thousands of unpaid hours over 17 years and was integral in driving the approval and construction of the Whangamata Marina to be officially opened in 2009. When the Minister of Conservation vetoed the Environment Court approval and cancelled the Marina consent, he led the Society to challenge the veto through the High Court, winning back the right for the consent to be approved. The completed Marina facility is upheld internationally as world class, particularly in the area of ‘Clean Marina’ and waste discharge treatment, and has filled nearly all of its berths. Mr Kelly is also a volunteer coastguard radio operator.
LANCASTER, Sister Thirza Margaret (Margaret)
For services to the community
Sister Margaret Lancaster played a large part in the establishment of Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.
Sister Margaret was the driving force behind the creation of Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington in 1979, the first hospice in New Zealand. She motivated the Little Company of Mary to begin the Mary Potter Hospice project, and by leading the fundraising and community support for the Hospice’s establishment. In 1988, the Little Company of Mary gifted the Hospice to the people of Wellington. Following her retirement from full-time work at the Hospice in 1986, she continued to explore techniques for the greater comfort of the dying, and to teach specialist carers. She is currently a member of the Mary Potter Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees. Sister Margaret also works with individuals in the Wellington community that may otherwise not be able to live independently by helping with budgeting, gardening, provision of meals, housekeeping, and social support. She also supports people with addictions.
MACKINTOSH, Mr Alan Barry
For services to the community
Mr Alan Mackintosh has contributed to a diverse range of community organisations in Gisborne for many years.
Mr Mackintosh was the Gisborne Concert Band Chairman for 22 years until 2013 and is currently a player with the Gisborne Civic Brass Band. He was a member of the National Executive of the New Zealand Concert Bands Association. He was a foundation member and Chief Instructor of the Gisborne Judo Club for 11 years. He was a member of Gisborne Jaycees for nine years, serving a term as President and was involved with projects for the construction of an adventure playground and miniature railway, and a coloured civic fountain. He is a Gisborne Land Search and Rescue Trust member and was Chairman for two years and continues to be the Communications Leader for Gisborne Land Search and Rescue. He served as a Gisborne IHC Committee member and was Chairman for five years, was a member of the National Executive Committee and has organised and conducted housing condition audits for clients. Mr Mackintosh was President for 12 years of the Gisborne Underwater Club and a member of the National Instructors Committee of the New Zealand Underwater Association.
MARTELLETTI, Mrs Honora Mary (Nora), JP
For services to the community
Mrs Nora Martelletti has been a member of the Tirau Community Board since its inception in 1987 and as Chair of the Board from 1992 to 2013 she was instrumental in promoting the interests of Tirau residents and in leading Annual Plan submissions to the District Council.
Mrs Martelletti has played a key role in the organisation of the ANZAC Day ceremony in Tirau for a number of years. She is a volunteer for Victim Support and is a trained homicide support worker. She is a member of the Matamata branch of the National Council of Women. She was a member of the Waikato and Rotorua Conservation Boards and an active member and Chairperson of the Waikato branch of Forest and Bird, during which time she assisted farmers to covenant land under the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust and the Waikato Historic Places Trust. She is a Trustee of the South Waikato Performing Arts Trust. She has been involved with a number of choirs over the years and was involved in the formation of the Oxford Singers, which she has also conducted. Mrs Martelletti chaired the committees overseeing the compilation of the history of schooling within the Tapapa/Okoroire Districts for jubilee celebrations.
MEHTA, Mrs Shefali, JP
For services to the Indian community
Mrs Shefali Mehta has been a member of Auckland Harbourside Rotary Club since 1998, during which time she has fundraised for various community organisations.
Mrs Mehta has been involved with Rotary at the district level and under her leadership as President in 2012 and 2013 the Club raised $106,890 for Starship Hospital and Auckland Medical Research Foundation. In 2012 she organised and hosted the ‘Peace and Conflict Resolution Forum’ at the University of Auckland. She is National Secretary of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO NZ) and is a member of the committee which organises an annual convention on Family Violence. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer for Bharatiya Samaj Charitable Trust and is one of the key members of a committee that is driving the need for a culturally appropriate rest home, ‘Aashirwad’ for senior citizens of South Asian origin. Since 2011 Mrs Mehta has been Deputy Chairperson for Global India New Zealand and Chairperson of the Women’s Wing.
MOULTRIE, Mr Wayne David
For services to the community
Mr Wayne Moultrie has served the Mt Maunganui community for more than 40 years.
Mr Moultrie was involved in many service clubs including the Mt Maunganui Jaycees for ten years, chairing the Mt Maunganui Rugby and Football Clubs, Committee member of the Surf Life Saving Club, competing in the World Masters Surf Life Saving Championships, and President of the Residents and Ratepayers Association. He was a Mt Maunganui Rotarian for 12 years, being elected President in 1993. He became involved in local politics in 1980, serving as Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of the former Mt Maunganui Borough Council from 1980 to 1989. He took the Council meetings beyond the chamber out into the community, including the Whareroa Marae and the Mt Maunganui College, and held Sunday clinics for his residents to bring their issues to him. He mobilised ratepayers to ensure commercial rates were increased to ease the burden on the residential ratepayer. Mr Moultrie served on the Tauranga City Council from 2007 to 2013, also chairing the Project Steering Group to conserve and protect the historic site of Mauao and conceiving and implementing the Pilot Bay Boardwalk.
HONOURS
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
MURRAY, Mrs Anne
For services to the community
Mrs Anne Murray was a volunteer for Anglican Social Services in Whanganui from the 1980s until 1991, when she began volunteering with the newly established Christian Social Services Wanganui (CSSW), of which she is also a Board member.
Mrs Murray was the organiser of the CSSW Whare Manaaki/Friendship Drop In Centre. She organised CSSW’s community hospitality meal on Mondays and the Community Christmas Dinner, and was involved generally with the Food Bank. When CSSW’s services were re-evaluated she convinced the Board to allow her to continue working with those in need, particularly psychiatric survivors with whom she’d become familiar. This led to the opening of Anne’s Place drop in centre. Most recently she has been the organiser of Marae Time drop in centre since 2009. In association with these centres Mrs Murray has run classes in sewing, cooking, food preparation and hygiene, as well as cultural and craft activities.
NICHOLAS, Ms Gillian Mary (Jill)
For services to the community
Ms Jill Nicholas has worked as a journalist for 55 years, 43 of those Rotorua-based, and has contributed to a range of community organisations.
Ms Nicholas was Chief Reporter and Deputy Editor at the Daily Post from 1990 to 2007 and since 2008 has been a contract journalist and writes weekly Our People profiles for Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a Ministerial appointee to the Central Bay of Plenty Benefit Review panel since 2008. She has been a Committee member of the University of the Third Age since 2008, facilitating public forum speakers, debates, the 2013 mayoral candidate forum and in 2014 with Grey Power facilitated the Rotorua and Waiariki General Election Candidates Forum. She was Speakers Co-Convenor for Spectrum Ladies Luncheon Club from 2013 to 2015. She has been a volunteer docent at Rotorua Museum since 2008 and as an active member of St Faith’s church is an occasional sides-person and kai awhina. She has been a community representative for the 2015 Rotorua Lakes Council Representational Review Panel. Ms Nicholas has previously been involved with Rotorua Life Education Trust and Zonta Club, a Trustee of Rotorua Hospital Chaplaincy Trust, Rotorua Community Charity Trust and a Committee member of Rotorua Club.
PAINTER, Mr Graham William
For services to the community
Mr Graham Painter has had a long term involvement with community organisations, most recently in the Omaha Beach Community.
Mr Painter was variously involved with search and rescue, Auckland Coastguard, and the Ruapehu Ski Patrol from the 1960s until 1990. He played a major role in building the Alpine Sports Club’s second lodge on Mt Ruapehu and was President of the club from 1976 to 1979. He was a founding member of the Tongariro Natural History Society in 1989 and an executive member until 1994. He was a board member of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts from 1988 to 2009. He was a committee member of Omaha Beach Community Inc from 2007 and served as President from 2008 to 2015. During his tenure he has seen the organisation develop professionally and has brought stakeholders in the community together, in particular the community’s successful participation in an Environment Court hearing objecting to a major local development proposal and more recently with community representations to the Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan. Other projects have included the causeway bridge walkway/cycleway, the Quarry development, the Taniko walkway, tsunami planning, boat ramp parking, assistance to the Surf Club, Community Centre improvements and Council and Local Board liaison.
PERCIVAL, Mr Jeffrey George (Jeff)
For services to scouting
Mr Jeff Percival has been involved with Scouting in West Auckland from 1975 until 2015.
Mr Percival has worked tirelessly to build the reputation, resources, membership and culture of the Motu Moana Green Bay Scout Group, which is now one of the biggest Scout Groups in New Zealand. He has encouraged the Scout Group to get involved in the community, with the Group taking their patrol boats onto the Whau River to clean rubbish out of the water and for youth members to clean up along the river banks. He has been Zone Leader of Moana Rua zone. He has organised and led a number of outdoor trips and international contingents to overseas jamborees. He has led maintenance, repair and extension projects in a hands-on capacity for the Scout Hall and Lodge at Horopito. He has initiated fundraising to cover Scout fees where families have not been able to due to financial hardship. Mr Percival has spent the past few years helping parents establish a Scout Group in the Balmoral area.
PLIMMER, Mr Malcolm Ross
For services to the community
Mr Malcolm Plimmer has given varied service to the community since the 1970s.
Mr Plimmer was a Charter Member of the Ashhurst Pohangina Lions Club and remained a member for 17 years, including a term as President. He was a member of the Kairanga Lions Club for 14 years, including a year as President. He has been involved with the District 202D Cabinet, covering 44 Lions Clubs, serving as District Treasurer, Zone Chairman and as Secretary in 2009 and 2010. He served on the Lions Aid Committee for Flood Victims in Manawatu in 2004. He was Registrar and Treasurer for the 2003 Lions Multi-District Convention organised by his club. In 2006 he chaired a committee of Lions, Rotary and the family of Eydge Milligan, which raised $116,000 to send Eydge to the United States for life changing bowel surgery. He is currently a member of the Wellington Club. He served as the youngest ever elected member of the Meat and Wool Boards Electorate College commencing in 1978. He was Junior Vice-President of Manawatu-Federated Farmers in 1986 and a member of the Ruahine Pest Destruction Board for two terms in the late 1970s. Mr Plimmer served a term on the Newbury School Board, followed by a term on the Newbury Board of Trustees.
POWELL, Mr Brian Edward
For services to heritage preservation and the community
Mr Brian Powell has been involved with Federated Farmers for many years, serving as representative to the Marlborough Acclimatisation Society and the Marlborough Meat and Wool Board and as President in 1997 and 1998.
Mr Powell hosted visits from primary schools at his farm in Fabian’s Valley, showcasing his museum of artefacts from early settlements in the region. He has been instrumental to the restoration of a mud house occupied by early settlers and has collaborated with the Department of Corrections to allow those serving periodic detention to contribute to the building’s restoration. He wrote a history of Fabian’s Valley and Northbank in 2008. He was Chairman of the Northbank Settlers Association and served for 45 years. For six years until 2013 he was a member of the committee that managed the Renwick Community Hall. He has been involved with the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand at Anikiwa since inception in 1962. He served four terms as Councillor and is a Life Member of the Trust. He has been an Honorary Ranger since 1989, initially as a wildlife ranger and latterly as a fishing ranger. Recently Mr Powell established the Renwick Community Garden outside the Anglican Community Church.
ROTARANGI-KENDALL, Ms Anne Marie
For services to Māori and the community
Mrs Anne Marie Rotarangi-Kendall is a Life Member of the Māori Wardens and has been involved with the New Zealand Māori Council and the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
Mrs Rotarangi-Kendall has been an Executive member of the Papakura Marae Society Inc. since 1994. She wrote the Mokai Marae charter and facilitated its consultation process. She is a current Board member of the Marotiri-Pureora Forest Hapu Cluster. She was Chairperson of Whaitiaki Papakura Māori Outcomes from 2005 to 2011 and has been involved with Pae Arahi Māori Outcomes since 2012. She has been a volunteer social worker with Miramar Girls Home, Allendale Girls Home and Mount Eden Women’s Prison. She has been involved with the Auckland Police Joint Action Group on youth and the Safer Community Council Trust. Mrs Rotarangi-Kendall has been a Board member of Te Hononga o Tamaki Me Houturoa, a small health non-government organisation in South Auckland, and Kotahitanga.
RUEGG, Mrs Gwenda May
For services to swimming and theatre
Mrs Gwenda Ruegg is a Life Member of the Whakatane Swimming Club, where she has been a member for more than 50 years and has been coaching children as a volunteer for 45 years.
Mrs Ruegg is a dedicated and enthusiastic swimming coach and teaches those that are learning to swim, as well as implementing the competitive programme for the Club’s top 15 swimmers. She is currently actively involved in the Swimming New Zealand High Performance, Pathway to Podium, and Para swimming programmes with one of her swimmers. She has also been a member of the Whakatane Theatre for more than 30 years as the Secretary and President. Mrs Ruegg has been awarded a New Zealand Musical Theatre Society Merit Award for her more than 25 years’ work within the local theatre.
SEYMOUR, Mrs Carol Patricia
For services to the community
Mrs Carol Seymour has contributed to the Takapau community through her involvement with various organisations.
Mrs Seymour provided voluntary support to the Takapau Primary School Committee for 11 years and was a Supervisor of Takapau Playcentre for more than six years. Within the wider community she began a community newsletter, started the Takapau Recycling Centre, and organised community picnics, school tramps and holiday camps. She has been involved with the Takapau Lions Club for the past 40 years and has helped to raise significant amounts of money for community projects such as building the Daphne Hut in the Ruahine Ranges. She, along with her husband, have also mentored children as part of the Ministry of Youth’s Project K mentoring programme, and chaperoned and hosted students as part of the international Lions Youth Exchange Programme. She and her husband were heavily involved in running Camp Quality for more than nine years, with three years as Programme Coordinators and three years as Regional Managers. Mrs Seymour is also a supporter of the elderly in her community and led the formation of a Senior Citizen’s Club.
SIMMERS, Mr William Wallace (Wallace)
For services to the community
Mr Wallace Simmers has been supporting the Karori community for more than 30 years.
Mr Simmers worked closely on the ‘Heart of Karori’ project which began in 1996, which revitalised the suburb with a new community centre, library and village square space. He has been very active in supporting the operation of the Karori Community Centre, which runs a range of programmes for elderly and young people, and served as the Chair of the management committee for six years. He has also served as the Chair of the Karori Community Hall since 1988, led the fundraising project for the $3.5 million Karori Event Centre, and was instrumental in establishing the annual Karori Youth Awards programme to recognise the achievement of young people in the community. He has been a member of the Karori Rotary Club since 1982, in the roles of Secretary, President, Director and Convenor of Club committees. In 2010 Mr Simmers was he was made a Friend of the Lloyd Morgan Lions Club’s Charitable Trust by the Karori Lions Club.
SMITH-HAMEL, Dr Cecilia Casware
For services to mental health
Dr Cecilia Smith-Hamel has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for her patients for more than 15 years, and has been attributed with shaping the Timaru mental health service into a centre of excellence.
Dr Smith-Hamel is credited with a stringent ethical framework, perseverance and boundless empathy, and with improving the quality and responsiveness of the mental health services for the people of South Canterbury in a way that is above and beyond the responsibilities of her role. Dr Smith-Hamel has worked for over 23 years as a consultant and a clinical director across Canterbury and South Canterbury District Health Boards, and has served as a consultant and researcher at the University of Otago since 2000.
STANLEY-SHEPHERD, Mrs Mary Diana
For services to dance and the community
Mrs Mary Stanley-Shepherd has been supporting the health and wellbeing of her community through dance for most of her life.
Mrs Stanley-Shepherd runs regular classes to encourage the active participation of elderly in the community to remain connected, fit and happy through dancing classes for more than 100 people per week. She works closely with the Green Prescription team at Sport Canterbury to encourage physical, mental and social wellbeing. She regularly organises social events within the community, particularly for senior citizens and those that live alone, and has organised and led dance tours within New Zealand and internationally. Since retiring she has begun teaching in primary schools, and regularly takes groups of dancers to retirement villages to entertain and encourage more people into dance. She also runs regular fundraising events, including dance classes, raffles and door collections, for children and young people with cancer, and in her spare time knits hats and mittens to give away to these children too. In 2010, the Camp Quality charitable trust formally recognised Mrs Stanley-Shepherd for her help in raising more than ten thousand dollars for children with cancer.
TAUE, Mrs Hola Ki Ha'amea Lavakei'aho Toki
For services to the Pacific community
Mrs Hola Taue has served her community for more than 25 years as a Justice of the Peace and in many other leadership roles, particularly for the Tongan and Samoan communities where her multilingualism has helped many others with immigration, health and justice issues.
Mrs Taue founded and chaired the Tongan Women Association in 1994, and served as the Secretary of the Island Bay Residents Association Incorporated for five years, and has served as the Secretary of the Wellington Samoan Elderly Association since 1999. She worked as a volunteer in the Home of Compassion in Island Bay, was a member of the Parents Support Group for Saint Patricks College, and has always had the doors of her home open for overseas visitors, students, and the homeless in Wellington. She served her church as the Chair of the Wellington Tongan Catholic Community for more than 20 years. Mrs Taue has been on the Board of Trustees for St Francis De Sales Catholic School in Island Bay for three years.
THOMAS, Mrs Iris
For services to sport and the community
Mrs Iris Thomas has organised some of Tauranga’s most successful fundraising events, including the Placemakers 24 Hour Charity Relay from 1993 to 2002 and the Women’s Annual Walk 4 Breast Cancer from 2003 to 2011.
Mrs Thomas developed and founded Kids Can Ride in 2006, a school cycle safety education programme based in Tauranga. She initiated the Bikes for Kids project in 2010, which coordinated the collection of donated bikes for distribution in lower socio-economic areas. She was a founding member of Cycle Action Tauranga and has pursued the rights of cyclists and education to improve both cyclist safety and motorist awareness. She has been an event manager for various events throughout the Bay of Plenty, including the Tauranga Half Ironman, Half 4 Heart, Kaimai Classic Multisport, Lakes ‘N’ Coast 140 kilometre bike ride, Round the Mount Swim, Mt Joggers half marathon and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Multisport Championships. She initiated and coached a junior development squad for Triathlon Tauranga and was a triathlon coach for novice women for nine years. She was a volunteer swim teacher for 10 years. In 2011 Mrs Thomas organised a fundraiser for Christchurch’s earthquake appeal, raising $15,000, and in 1999 raised $30,000 to build a room at Ronald McDonald House.
TUCKER, Mrs Janet Grace (Jan)
For services to the community
Mrs Jan Tucker was the Chairperson of the Chalmers Community Board from 1997 to 2013.
Mrs Tucker championed many issues, such as lobbying for the sealing of a well-used major road between Port Chalmers and State Highway One at Waitati, championing the renovation of the Town Hall, the retention of the local swimming pool and the development of the Shared Path Cycle/Walkway from Ravensbourne to St Leonards. She has been involved with Keep Dunedin Beautiful for many years and has been Chairperson since 2006. She has had an active involvement with bowls and has held positions on the Bowls Dunedin Executive. She is Chairperson of the Caledonian Bowling Club. She was a founding member of the Port Chalmers Information Service, which caters to the increasing number of cruise ship passengers coming to Dunedin. Mrs Tucker is a former Lions Club member and was a Meals on Wheels driver.
TUHAKA, Mr Te Uranga O Te Ra Tuwhakairiora (Toti)
For services to veterans and the community
Mr Toti Tuhaka is an ex-Navy diver, teacher, search and rescue worker, and supporter of veteran welfare in the community and is currently acting as a 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Forces Advisor.
Since retiring from the Navy in 1958 Mr Tuhaka has played a key role in the Gisborne community, where he has taught at both the Girls and Boys High Schools, and is a Police search and rescue volunteer. He has helped trade school apprentices gain employment and assisted ex-servicemen with their war pensions and allowances. He holds extensive knowledge of Te Reo Ake o Ngati Porou and has earned the title of Rangatira and Kaumatua in the Māori community. He is an RSA member serving on many committees including the ex-Royal Naval Men’s Association of New Zealand and Malayan Veteran Forces of Wairawhiti District. He has chaired several reunion committees and is a spokesman at most of the ex-serviceman funerals. Mr Tuhaka has been awarded the Korean Medal by the Korean Government and is a Patron and Life member of the Korean South East Asia Forces Association of New Zealand.
TUPU, Mr Lani, JP
For services to the Pacific community
Mr Lani Tupu has supported the Pacific communities through his leadership in both community and religious settings.
Mr Tupu has worked to help new immigrants integrate into the New Zealand culture by providing support, knowledge, and language assistance. He has been appointed to several high-profile roles in the New Zealand Methodist Church including Vice-President and Secretary for a number of years and Property Convenor of the Samoan Synod branch. He has provided council to Pacific families, Police, the Ministries of Pacific Affairs and Justice, and was part of the Law Association for Asia and the South Pacific delegation in 1993 that consulted with Pacific Governments on Human Rights Commission issues. He has helped on several development projects in the Pacific Islands, including leading a two year project to implement a water supply and health project in Falelima, and improving emergency facilities on the island. Mr Tupu was presented with the Lavea’i Trust’s ‘Life-time of service to the community’ award in 2003.
WARREN, Mr Ian Frank
For services to health and the community
Mr Ian Warren was involved with the establishment of the Malvern Health and Community Welfare Trust and was Chairman for 20 years, contributing to the opening of the Darfield Medical Centre in 2014, piloting an aged care day centre, and establishing an annual scholarship for tertiary health studies.
Mr Warren has been involved with the Selwyn District Council’s City Scheme with Japan, hosting adult and school exchange groups. He has also been involved with the Council through Neighbourhood Watch and Civil Defence, the Millennium Project Committee, and was Community Board Chairman from 2007 to 2010. He was Treasurer of the Greendale/Charing Cross Schools’ Jubilee committee. Mr Warren has been involved with Emergency Response Teams for the farming sector for 40 years and is a past Chairman of Darfield Federated Farmers.
WILLIAMS, Ms Kathleen Bonde (Katie)
For services to senior citizens and the community
Ms Katie Williams, a retired nurse and midwife, has been involved with many Rotorua voluntary organisations.
Ms Williams founded the Kiwi Coffin Club in 2010, which attracts up to 30 people a week who build and decorate their own coffins. The Club seeks to foster a spirit of resolution and relieve the elderly of the fear of becoming a burden to their families in death by offering an affordable alternative to purchasing a coffin. The Coffin Club provides free caskets for families who could otherwise not afford one, often at the request of Police, and to the Rotorua Hospital for stillbirths. She has advised on the establishment of similar clubs around New Zealand. She has spent more than 10 years as a volunteer at Save the Children’s retail outlet. She has assisted at twice weekly hotpool exercise classes for arthritis sufferers and often provides transport for those not able to drive to classes. She visits house-bound people, and has served on the Arthritis Pool Support Group committee. She is a supporter of the Whare Aroha Home and Hospital. She is volunteer convener for two University of the Third Age interest groups. Ms Williams has previously assisted at the Rotorua Community Hospice and Trade Aid.
WILSON, Mrs Diane Ellen Gray, JP
For services to genealogy and the community
Mrs Diane Wilson has been a member of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZGS) since 1983, holding various positions including Vice-President, and was made a Life Member in 2007.
Mrs Wilson has been Convenor of the St John’s Branch of NZGS for 10 years. She headed the research team known as the Chocolate Fish Team, which has digitised numerous records including cemetery records, burial records, electoral rolls, church records, and marriage records. The group is responsible for approximately half a million records in the NZGS collection, the sale of which has raised more than $200,000 for the Society. She was a member of the governing Council of the Society from 2012 to 2015. She was President of the Auckland branch of the Plunket Society from 1974 to 1977 and was on the Board of the Karitane Hospital where she was instrumental in the establishment of the day stay houses for mothers with feeding difficulties or sleep problems. Mrs Wilson has been volunteering at the Eastern Bays Hospice shop on a weekly basis since 2005.
WYNNE-WILLIAMS, Mrs Robin
For services to mental health support
Mrs Robin Wynne-Williams is a highly respected source of information and support for people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
Mrs Wynne-Williams was a passionate driver of the ADD Trust and its Assessment and Family Support Centre that was located in Island Bay, Wellington, from when it was established in 2003 until it closed in 2014. The service helped individuals with ADD and ASD who fell between mental health and disability service gaps. She served the centre in her primary role of Nurse Coordinator, but also went above and beyond her role to providing support and advice to ADD and ASD patients and their families. With the support of the Sister of Compassion and a group of voluntary staff and helpers, she managed to keep the private service accessible to more than 1,000 people across New Zealander for the decade the service was active. Since the centre has closed, Mrs Wynne-Williams has continued to be a valuable source of information and support for many individuals and groups on a voluntary basis.