The King’s Service Medal:
ALLISON, Mr Mervyn Ralph
For services to brass bands
Mr Mervyn Allison has contributed to the New Zealand brass band movement and has taught brass in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.
From childhood, Mr Allison played brass instruments in bands for 82 years until ceasing playing at age 90 due to health reasons. He has held several committee positions on various bands throughout New Zealand. He served as President of brass bands in Kapiti, Christchurch and Wellington. In 1996 he was made a Life Member of the Wellington Brass Band and more recently a Life Member of Kapiti Brass. Before moving to the Kapiti Coast, he played with the Evening Post Onslow Band (now the Wellington Brass Band) for more than 30 years. Since 1994 he has tutored brass to students in Tawa and Wellington. He has helped organise fundraising events for the Kapiti Brass Band and these efforts have allowed the band to put on free-of-charge concerts at retirement villages on the Kapiti Coast. In 1974 he was selected for the National Band of New Zealand that toured Canada and the United States. He then played with the Royal New Zealand Airforce Band for more than 15 years. Mr Allison also plays in a local jazz group of Kapiti Brass Band players and has performed “sing-a-long” music for local clubs and senior citizens groups.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BENNETT, Mrs Marie
For services to seniors
Mrs Marie Bennett has been an Elder Abuse Response Social Worker for Age Concern Otago for 30 years and leads a multi-disciplinary team providing these services.
Mrs Bennett is recognised as a pioneer in this area of social work, having initiated the development of her role prior to the formal establishment of support persons for elder abuse by local and national agencies. Other elder abuse social workers look to her for advice and guidance, acknowledging her years of experience and expertise, and she continues to share her resources with others. She has been committed to raising awareness of elder abuse, advocating for the rights of older people and educating communities on the detection of elder abuse. She works hard to ensure clients’ safety and security is maintained and any care previously lacking is provided, often working nights, weekends and holidays when her support is needed. She has helped develop several practice guidelines for the sector and contributed to Age Concern New Zealand’s Elder Abuse Service Practice Guidelines published in 2011. She helped establish the Otago Welfare Guardian Trust, the first in the country which has been used as a model in other cities. Mrs Bennett developed the model for an Advisory Panel with relevant professionals meeting monthly, that continues to operate in Dunedin presently.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BERRY, Mr Lance Basil, JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Mr Lance Berry has been contributing to the Rongotea community for more than 40 years.
Mr Berry’s service to the Rongotea Fire Brigade has spanned more than 37 years and he currently holds the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Through the Fire Brigade he guided the expansion of the station to allow hosting of family friendly activities and established the Rongotea fireworks display which attracts more than 5,000 people annually. He has been a leader in both Te Kawau Cubs and Te Kawau Scouts, leading the delegation from Te Kawau to the Te Anau jamboree in 1996, and established the tradition of both cubs and scouts marching in the annual Rongotea ANZAC parade. He was influential in the build and management of the Te Kawau Memorial Centre in 1996 and has continued to provide maintenance to the roofing structure since. He has been the Chair of the Rongotea Community Committee since 2019, having been a member for several years, and led several community projects including the upgrade of The Douglas Square and the Waitohi Road walkway through the Keep Rongotea Beautiful campaign. Mr Berry was awarded a Manawatu District Council Community Award in 2023 for his contributions to the Rongotea community.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BOYLE, Mrs Patricia Mackenzie (Trish)
For services to the community
Mrs Trish Boyle has been contributing to the Southland community through various community initiatives, particularly through Rotary.
Mrs Boyle served as the President of Invercargill North Rotary in 2007 and then became the Rotary District Trainer between 2008 and 2012. She was the Chair of the Australia New Zealand Rotary Conference in 2012 and helped organise events and conferences to create an environment for Rotarians to network and exchange ideas. She served as the Rotary International President Representative to District Conferences in New Zealand and Australia in 2013, 2014 and 2017, acting as a bridge between local rotary clubs and the international organisation. As District Governor for South Island Rotary in 2010 she helped train new members and championed the role of women in the Rotary space as the first female district governor. She was the New Zealand Trainer of Rotary Leaders from 2013 to 2016, International Trainer from 2015 to 2016, and Chair of Rotary International Leadership and Training from 2018 to 2020. She has been a Trustee of the Community Trust South, driving the trust through financial difficulty to serve community needs. She was a member of the Southland Regional Strategy Governance Board and chaired the Southern District Rotary Foundation between 2016 and 2020. Mrs Boyle has been an Invercargill City Councillor since 2023.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BRAY, Mr John McMeekan
For services to rugby league
Mr John Bray has been involved with rugby league for more than 40 years as a player and has held various roles at local and regional levels.
Mr Bray has played for the Hornby Club in Christchurch since aged six, and represented Canterbury at all levels through the early 1960s. He served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Hornby Club, managing the schoolboys section. He represented New Zealand in 1964 and served on the Wellington Rugby League Board in 1977 for two years, before becoming a board member of the New Zealand Rugby League Board in 1978. He served on the New Zealand Rugby League board for 13 years, serving as an Independent Director and Vice Chair of the board, navigating the board through enormous growth of the sport. He used his accountancy skills to help the board with audits and budgeting. He has served on the New Zealand Rugby League Museum Trust since 2005 and was Chair from 2015 to 2023. Mr Bray was made a Life Member of New Zealand Rugby League in 2010.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BRITTAIN, Mr Henry Lionel Gordon
For services to transport history and tourism
Mr Henry Brittain has been involved with the Wellington Tramway Museum in Paekākāriki since 1965, holding several committee positions including President from 1997 to 2009.
Mr Brittain was made a Life Member of the Tramway Museum in 2009. He has had a key role in developing the museum from a collection of salvage from the Wellington City Tramway into a flourishing organisation. He has supported the museum to be an operational tramway, with the two-kilometre line from Mackays Crossing to the beach a tourism highlight, receiving around half a million visits annually. He was instrumental in collaborating with Greater Wellington Regional Council on the development of Te Ara o Whareroa in 2016, the pedestrian and cycle path that crosses the tramline to the beach, ensuring that a shared crossing would provide a safe and smooth experience for all users. He has been President of the Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia since 2021, having been a member since 2003. He was the tramway convenor for the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand from 2004 to 2024. He has written several articles for transport journals and is considered an expert on tram history. Mr Brittain has been Secretary of the Omnibus Society since 1989 and was Secretary of the Karori Historical Society from 2004 to 2021.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BURNETT, Mrs Janice Vivienne
For services to the community
Mrs Janice Burnett has been Chairperson of the Lincoln and Districts Community Care Association (LDCC) since 2009, having joined the Board in 2008.
Mrs Burnett led the project to create new premises for LDCC and was at the forefront of negotiations with Selwyn District Council. She was instrumental in securing funding through the Council, Rotary and the community for the building project, which was undertaken in 2013. She was subsequently key to initiating the funding and construction of the Rata Foundation Wing, which opened in 2022 as an extension to LDCC premises. She founded the Spring Fling, a garden party held annually from 2011 until 2019, raising more than $200,000 for LDCC. After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spring Fling returned in 2023. She has worked with partners to ensure LDCC is able to continue offering its Meal on Wheels service and has sought to expand other services offered. This has included securing two community health workers for the Selwyn district in recent years. She was involved in netball umpiring at age group and national tournaments from 1985 to 2002 and served as President of Canterbury Netball Umpires in 1995. Mrs Burnett held the position of District Commissioner for the Girl Guides in the Malvern District during the 1970s.
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The King’s Service Medal:
BURROW, Mrs Sandra Beryl
For services to swimming
Mrs Sandra Burrow has dedicated more than 50 years to swimming as a coach, manager, club administrator and technical official.
Mrs Burrow joined the Mount Roskill Swimming Club in 1959 as a swimmer and taking on roles which she has maintained since. She coached at the club for 17 years, serving as the Development Coach between 1992 and 2000, and as Head Coach between 2000 and 2006. She was a committee member of the Club for 24 years from 1982, serving as Club Captain and managing the swim teams attending New Zealand Championship meets. She has been the Head Coach of Central City Swim Club since 2006, supporting her club members at swim meets, championships, multi-day meets around New Zealand, and various championships held in Australia. Under her leadership her swim members have broken more than 150 Auckland and more than 30 New Zealand swimming records across 24 years. She was a member of the Auckland Centre Judges Panel between 1982 and 1995 and served as the Chief Judge for two years, becoming Assistant Controller of TISCO Meetings in 1982, holding the position for ten years. She was a long-standing member of the Auckland Awards Committee and a member of the Auckland Coaches Group Committee until 2023. Mrs Burrows coached at the 2016 Rio Olympics and at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CADE, Mr David Leon
For services to conservation and bio-security awareness
Mr David Cade, known as Didymo Dave, has been a leading advocate for protecting New Zealand’s biodiversity and environment for more than 20 years, particularly against didymo infestation, initially as a Department of Conservation Freshwater Pests Ranger and subsequently on a voluntary basis.
Mr Cade has been a leading freshwater advocate of the Check, Clean and Dry campaign to prevent the introduction of and also to contain the freshwater pest didymo, first in the Taupo fishery and subsequently throughout the North Island. He thoughtfully engages freshwater users in any environment from carparks to riverbanks on correct biosecurity prevention methods and conservation practices to ensure the protection of the region’s waterways and surrounding environments. He visits schools, community organisations and fishing clubs to spread his conservation message. Mr Cade has worked extensively with local iwi, actively mentoring young Māori and involving them in aquatic biosecurity advocacy work, weed control and predator trapping, which has developed pathways for positive life outcomes for many vulnerable young people.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CAMPBELL, Mr Ian Stuart
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Taekwon-Do
Mr Ian Campbell has been a member of Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1982 and Te Awamutu Taekwon-Do Club for 27 years.
Mr Campbell held officer ranks and managed brigade training and development for 15 years. He has been Chief Fire Office of the brigade since 2007, overseeing the busiest volunteer brigade in the Waikato region with more than 400 callouts annually and more than 40 volunteer members. He has worked to transition the brigade to become more modern and dynamic and formalised volunteer pathways within the brigade, developing a safety-culture based ethos for officers and practicing manaaki. He led the fundraising of $54,000 for the purchase of hydraulic rescue equipment in 2009 and $41,000 for a new emergency response vehicle in 2016. In 2014, he led a team to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with St John to assist with medical emergencies with a purpose-built vehicle. He chaired centennial celebrations of the brigade in 2013, which included events and station enhancements. He progressed to become head instructor of Te Awamutu Taekwon-Do Club and has grown the club to offer further self-defence training, senior training, black belt camps, sparring and seminars. He is one of 13 7th Dan masters in New Zealand. Mr Campbell has had two students compete internationally and multiple achieve placings nationally.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CARRICK-CLARKE, Mrs Patricia Frances (Pat)
For services to sport, particularly cricket
Mrs Pat Carrick-Clarke has completed 62 years in sports administration, particularly with cricket and netball.
Playing initially in Canterbury, Northland and North Shore, Mrs Carrick-Clarke joined the Sydenham Cricket Club in 1975. She captained Canterbury to successes for several years in the 1970s. She represented New Zealand Women’s Cricket in seven test matches and three one day internationals between 1969 and 1978. She retired as a player in 1980 and moved into umpiring. She became the first woman globally to umpire a men’s first-class cricket match, the 1987 Shell Cup Canterbury-Wellington match at Timaru. She umpired 15 first-class games and two women’s tests before retiring in 1991. She was committee member, Treasurer, and Vice President with Sydenham between 1973 and 1980, delegate to the Canterbury Cricket Association, and became a Life Member in 1994. She was a member of the Canterbury Women’s Cricket Association and contributed significantly to an amalgamation of men’s and women’s cricket clubs and was made a Life Member of Lancaster Park Cricket Club. She was a player, representative teams coach and Board member for Canterbury Netball from 1973 to 1992. From 1997 to 2000, she coached Tasman and Nelson representative teams and was Treasurer on the Committee of the Nelson Netball Association. Mrs Carrick-Clarke has been Executive Officer of Bowls Nelson since 2019.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CARTER, Mr Brian Rex, JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Mr Brian Carter has served with the Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1970 and is the first member of this brigade to reach 50 years’ service.
Mr Carter served a brief period with the Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade in the late 1970s, before returning to Bulls in 1980. He progressed through the ranks at the Bulls Brigade, reaching Deputy Chief Fire Office in 1991 and has been Chief Fire Officer since 2006. He has led the brigade through regular call outs and several regional disasters, while working as a self-employed craftsman upholster. He was elected Parent Representative on the Clifton School Board of Trustees for three terms between 1991 and 2000. He was re-elected for a second term as Councillor for the Southern Ward on the Rangitikei District Council in 2022, having first been elected in 2019. Mr Carter has served the local community as a Justice of the Peace since 2016.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CEREGRA, Mr Marian Tadeusz
For services to the Polish community and veterans
Mr Marian Ceregra is an elder of the Polish community in Wellington and has been Chairman of the Polish Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow (SPK) since 2009, having been a member since 1990.
As Chairman of SPK, Mr Ceregra has maintained a continuous connection with the Polish government to support its members and their families financially and to obtain recognition for their World War II service, assisting with completing documentation and applications. He has organised celebrations for days of Polish national and armed forces significance, as well as for ANZAC day, for many years. He has had a leading role in representing SPK in meetings with the government and Polish officials nationally and internationally. He has been a member of the Polish Association in New Zealand since 1990 and held executive roles with the associated Bridge and Film Clubs and choir. He has edited the Polish newsletter ‘Wiadomosci’ and continues to contribute to the publication, reporting on community issues and successes, and obituaries for community members. He is committed to documenting the history of Wellington’s Polish community, recording events as a videographer or photographer for posterity. For a number of years he maintained the 7,000 book library at Dom Polski in Wellington. Mr Marian’s service has been recognised with several medals from the Polish government.
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The King’s Service Medal:
CLARKE, Mrs Robin Florence
For services to the community
Mrs Robin Clarke has served her community in various capacities since the 1970s.
As a member of a Palmerston North Save the Children Fund fundraising group, in 1972 Mrs Clarke instigated and solely ran a weekly neighbourhood vegetable stall from her carport, donating all proceeds. In the 1980s and 1990s, she sponsored several refugee families arriving in New Zealand from Cambodia and Somalia, helping them settle into their new country. She accompanied refugees to appointments, supported the creation of connections in the community and regularly checked in with the families. She has been involved with a range of church, friendship and community groups. She was a volunteer facilitator for the Heart Foundation’s ‘Stop Ourselves Smoking’ campaign from 1995 to 1998, planning and tutoring classes to help participants with smoking addiction. From 2001 to 2003, she played a key role in catering the fortnightly meals held by local churches in Ōtaki for those seeking meals and companionship. She has hosted meetings of prayer groups in Wellington and Waikanae and has been active in the Friendship Force movement. Since 2005 Mrs Clarke has been a volunteer driver with the Cancer Society in Ōtaki and Kāpiti, continuing to transport patients to and from Kāpiti Coast for treatment at Wellington Hospital, often accommodating last minute timing changes.
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The King’s Service Medal:
DWYER, Miss Jacqueline Ann, JP
For services to the community
Miss Jacqueline Dwyer has been committed to the preservation of South Taranaki history, particularly of Pātea, Kakaramea, Hurleyville, Alton and Manutahi.
Miss Dwyer has compiled several books of local history of small settlements and the families who lived there, of Hurleyville, Alton and Pātea. In the last 10 years, her particular interest has been military history and uncovering the names and stories on War Memorials in the South Taranaki area. A book for the centennial of the Pātea RSA, including outlying small settlements, was completed in 2020, documenting the names of hundreds of soldiers in both world wars, some for the first time. She has ensured books authored by Ian Church on local Māori history were published posthumously by Pātea Historical Society. She helped coordinate the relocation of the WWI and WWII Cenotaph from the former Alton School to alongside the Alton Hall in 2013. This has instigated the revival of Anzac Day services at Alton and seen more than 200 attendees each year. She helped coordinate the restoration of the Alton Coronation Hall, which consists of a small museum with local history in the former Post Office, which has enabled the Hall to hold large district events. Miss Dwyer is Chair of the Pātea Community Board and President of the Pātea Historical Society.
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The King’s Service Medal:
FEISST, Mr Robert Allan
Deceased. His Majesty’s approval of this award took effect on 20 May 2024, prior to the date of death.
For services to the community
Mr Robert Feisst has contributed to the Cambridge community through several organisations.
Mr Feisst was involved with the Cambridge Rackets Club for 40 years, including as Tennis Chairperson from 1978 to 1983 and Club President from 1983 to 1986, and was made a Life Member in 1987. During this time, he had a leading role in fundraising for a major renovation programme for the club. He has been a Trustee of the Cambridge Health and Community Trust since 1996, helping with the transformation of the Trust-managed Taylor Made Community Space, which was originally a maternity hospital and is now a space actively used by many community bodies. He has been Deputy Chair of the Cambridge Town Hall Trust since 2018, involved with reinvigorating the town hall and earthquake strengthening work. He was involved in initial lobbying to form the Trust and has since given his time to its functional operation. Mr Feisst was a member of the Cambridge Community Board from 1992 to 2010, with 12 years as Chairperson.
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The King’s Service Medal:
GEORGE, Mrs Patricia Anne (Pat)
For services to mosaic art and the community
Mrs Pat George (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu) is a Northland mosaic artist who has contributed to several art projects in the Northland region.
Mrs George created mosaic artwork for the Te Hononga Community Centre at Kawakawa and was a member of the project team. She created artwork for the entrance of the new Northland Maternity building at the Whangarei Hospital in 2018. She was invited to present to the Mosiac Association of Australia, New Zealand’s International Symposium hosted in Canberra in 2019, presenting her community projects and the creation of these. In 2016 she taught mosaic at the National Exhibition in Orewa and organised another exhibition in 2018 with appearance of an international judge, and has been involved in the 2022 and 2024 exhibitions. She helped establish the National Mosaic Committee for the New Zealand Mosaic Art in 2016 and has been the Chair of the committee since. She helped organised the Paparoa Wearable Arts Event and is creating 45 colourful pavers for the Paparoa Village green. Mrs George helped organise a fundraiser following Cyclone Gabriel, donating a mosaic artwork worth $1,200, with the event fundraising $10,000 for the recovery.
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The King’s Service Medal:
GORE, Mr Mervyn Allen (Allen)
For services to rugby league
Mr Allen Gore has been involved with rugby league for more than 40 years as a player and holding various roles at local and regional levels.
Mr Gore played with the Otahuhu Rugby League Club from age 11 until retirement from playing at age 29. Upon retirement from playing, he served as Treasurer for Auckland Rugby League and lead an Auckland delegation to the New Zealand Rugby League Board. He was the Business Manager for the New Zealand Kiwis during the 1967 tour to Australia. He served as a board member of the New Zealand Rugby League Board for 20 years, holding positions of Vice Chair and Treasurer. As a board member he has represented New Zealand at international conferences including at Leeds, Sydney and Toulon conferences. He served 18 years as a member of the New Zealand Rugby League Trust Museum Committee and is a member of the Carlaw Park Heritage Trust. Mr Gore was made a life member of Auckland Rugby League and of New Zealand Rugby League.
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The King’s Service Medal:
HARWOOD, Dr Matire Louise Ngarongoa
For services to Māori health
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngāpuhi) has advocated for Māori health as an academic research leader for the broader health sector and as a General-Practitioner at Papakura Marae Health Clinic since 2015.
Dr Harwood’s PhD examined recovery after stroke, designing and testing an intervention for rehabilitation specifically for Māori and Pacific Peoples, the success of which was published widely and has led to changes in treatment guidelines. She became Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Administration at the University of Auckland in January 2024. She trains senior medical students in Māori health and leads clinical and qualitative research with a focus on managing long term conditions in the community. She has received several awards since 2017 recognising her contributions to Māori health, particularly in South Auckland during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is co-Chair of Te Whatu Ora’s Clinical Research steering group and is a member of the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee to the Minister of Health. She has served on various Boards and committees including the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Auckland District Health Board. Dr Harwood is editor of the Māori Health Review, a summary of significant medical research affecting Māori.
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The King’s Service Medal:
HETUTŪ, Mrs Mailigi (Ligi)
For services to the Niuean community
Mrs Ligi Hetutū is a Niue community leader in Wellington who has been contributing to the preservation and revitalisation of the Niuean language, culture and heritage for 30 years.
Mrs Hetutū established and delivered Niue language classes in Porirua and the Hutt Valley in Wellington for young children and their families. She has been one of the voices of the Wellington Punaaga Vaghau Niue programme and host of the 531p Pacific Media Network radio station since 2014, providing the community with updates, education and entertainment. She was the Chair of the Wellington Niue Language and of the Committee since 2010, responsible for organising events, workshops, festivals and performances in Wellington, particularly during Niue Language Week and the Wellington Pasefika Festival. She was the Wellington representative on the National Vagahau Niue Trust since 2013 and has been a member since 2010 and has served as a Niue Language Interpreter for more than 20 years for government and non-government agencies. She has been involved with the Wellington Niue Presbyterian Church since 2008 and has been the Convenor of the Church Mission and Outreach Committee since. Through the Wellington Niue Presbyterian Church Mrs Hetutū has been the Secretary of the Women’s Fellowship since 2011 and Parish representative to the Central Regional Presbytery Executive since 2019.
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The King’s Service Medal:
HOKIANGA, Mr Leslie Tamihana (Les)
For services to physical fitness and mental health
Mr Les Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tahu) founded the Hikoi4Life Trust in 2008 with the aim of preventing premature death caused by poor mental and physical health, following the death of his father at age 49.
Identifying that his father didn’t have access to a place where he felt comfortable to talk about or seek advice on his health, Mr Hokianga set out to design a programme for others like his father, where they could be comfortable to start their wellness journey with both psychological and physical support. A key focus was to create a place run by people who looked like the people it was created for, who were approachable and able to build trust. The initiative began as Hikoi Whenua with a small contract from the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, before being supported by the Ministry of Social Development and extended to support people into employment. Mr Hokianga developed a work readiness programme designed to get participants fit and work-ready with trusted partners. Programmes have been designed for all ages, welcoming people from all cultural backgrounds and fitness levels to train at their own pace in an inclusive, non-judgemental environment. In addition to fitness, programmes also assess needs and connect people with other services. The Hikoi4Life Trust received three awards at the 2024 Kahungunu Indigenous Wellness Symposium Awards.
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The King’s Service Medal:
IMMS, Mr Arthur Gregory (Greg)
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Mr Greg Imms has been a member of the Kerikeri Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1968 and rose through the ranks to become 3rd Officer.
Over more than 50 years of service Mr Imms has had a 92 percent attendance rate at callouts. From 2008 to 2013 he was Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, helping guide the Brigade during a transitional period. He continues in the role of Operational Support and remains actively involved in running the Brigade and attending callouts. In his early years of service he gave his time to help build the Brigade through the acquisition of second hand equipment. He has been made an Honorary Life Member of the Brigade. Mr Imms has also supported St John Ambulance in Kerikeri, helping with difficult patient extrications at crash sites and resuscitations for cardiac arrest ambulance callouts.
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The King’s Service Medal:
KAIARUNA, Mr Tupuna Mataki
For services to the Cook Islands community and performing arts
Mr Tupuna Kaiaruna is a musician and composer who has been involved in the teaching and preservation of Cook Islands language and performance arts in Tokoroa and Auckland since the 1980s.
Mr Kaiaruna was Youth Leader of the Enuamanu Atiu-nui Maruarua Society from 1997 to 2017. From 1989 to 1991 he led and tutored the Atiu Enua team who competed in the Cook Island Constitution Competition in New Zealand, coming top in all categories. More recently he has led the Atiu Enua group to the 2014 Akirata Ou Festival Competition and the 2023 Te Maeva Nui Competition. He taught a group of Cook Islands youth who performed for the 1990 Commonwealth Games opening and in 1996 he took a group to Atiu in the Cook Islands to learn of their heritage. He has led the Atiu Cultural Group, which hosts a competition in Auckland with Cook Islands dance groups competing from around New Zealand. He has helped compose and performed in Cook Islands musical productions including ‘Pipiri Ma’ and ‘Makenu’. He has fundraised to help develop the Atiu Hall. He has organised for several universities to hold information days at the hall to encourage youth to undertake tertiary study. Mr Kaiaruna has composed and taught songs for the Atiu community for the annual Gospel Weekend event.
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The King’s Service Medal:
KAIWAI, Miss Katareina Whaiora
For services to women and the civil construction industry
Miss Katareina Kaiwai (Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga) founded Tairāwhiti Contractors on the East Coast in 2021, and as one of the few women business owners in civil construction in the region she has drawn on her onsite experiences in the roading industry since 2011 to advocate for better working conditions for women in construction.
Miss Kaiwai has provided her employees with training in traffic management, road maintenance and road contracting to build capability in local staff over recruiting experienced workers. Tairāwhiti Contractors has grown to 38 staff, a third of whom are women. She has been involved with Te Puni Kōkiri’s Cadetship programme, supporting development of permanent Māori staff at all career stages into higher-skilled roles, as well as investing her own time and resources into these cadetships. She is an ambassador for women in infrastructure for Connexis and ran a Girls with Hi-vis event in Ruatoria in 2021, attracting large numbers of students from multiple schools with opportunities to gain hands-on experience and hear from women in the industry. Following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, her company supported recovery, repaired roads, and worked with an LPG supplier to provide gas bottles to cut-off communities and fuel to Te Puia Springs hospital, emergency services and contractors. Miss Kaiwai leads an initiative that provides 490 healthy lunches daily to East Coast school children.
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The King’s Service Medal:
KARORA, Mr Maituteau (Maitu)
For services to the Cook Islands community
Mr Maitu Karora has been contributing to the Cook Islands community in New Zealand for more than 20 years.
Mr Karora has provided leadership to the Enuamanu-Atiu Nui Maruarua Society as elected President between 2002 and 2017, established to fundraise for the build of a community hall in Mangere, to provide a space for the Atiu, Cook Islands community. As President he supported the Society through various programmes and events including weekly youth programmes, tivaivai exhibitions, health information evenings, Realm of New Zealand community meetings, and hosting the first ever Cook Islands ANZAC Day service. He has held MIT Leadership courses for the community and has supported Te Wananga o Aotearoa to host tertiary courses. He was elected as one of the inaugural judges of the Cook Islands stage at PolyFest between 1992 and 1994 and has helped Otahuhu College compose a traditional Cook Islands hymn for students. He has supported several colleges across 20 years including Ngatapuwae College with the PolyFest, James Cook High School and Mangere College. He coordinated leaders through Atiu Hall to fundraise for the Red Cross in 2011 following the Christchurch earthquake. Mr Karora is a composer and musician and is supporting the Atiu Arts Group with their performance at the Te Maeva Nui Festival in Auckland.
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The King’s Service Medal:
LAKE, Mr Fraser Crompton William
For services to the community
Mr Fraser Lake has been a St John First Responder since 2006, providing assistance to the Omori, Kuratau, Whareroa, Pukawa, Turangi and the Western Bays.
Mr Lake became a member of the St John Area Committee in 2011, becoming Chair in 2013. He was the driving force behind acquiring land to build a new St John Ambulance station in Turangi, with the existing building identified as not meeting earthquake standards. He was key in procuring funding and undertook much of the project management of the build itself. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Omori / Western Lake Taupo First Response Charitable Trust in 2011, to raise money for a Four-Wheel Drive First Response Vehicle to reach farms and bays and a Lifepac 15, an advanced device for assessing patients’ conditions. The vehicle was purchased with $35,000 raised and further fundraising of $28,000 gathered for the purchase of the Lifepac 15. Mr Lake was a member and Deputy Chief of Omori Volunteer Fire Brigade between 2007 and 2014.
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The King’s Service Medal:
LAUGHLIN, Mr David John
For services to conservation
Mr David Laughlin has volunteered 40 years to conservation in Canterbury.
Mr Laughlin was a member of the South Island Zoological Society from 1977 until 2020, holding the positions of President between 1993 and 2003 and Vice-President until 2020. The Society was formed to create a major wildlife park in Christchurch, which opened in 1976. He was involved in securing sponsorship and fundraising for the Society, which contributed to the development of the Orana Wildlife Park, and was project lead for several parts of the development. He led the development of the successful walk-through aviary exhibit which opened in 1994. Mr Laughlin was a member of the Orana Wildlife Trust Board for more than 40 years, responsible for governance, strategy and policy issues relating to the Orana Wildlife Park, and was the key liaison between the South Island Zoological Society and the Trust.
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The King’s Service Medal:
MARSHALL, Mr Trevor Ross
For services to the community
Mr Trevor Marshall has been a member of Whakatū Rotary Club since 2005, leading various community projects.
Mr Marshall led the $2.2 million refurbishment of Lake Rotoiti Outdoor Education Lodge between 2018 and 2020, enhancing its use as a venue for school groups, outside organisations and individuals. He has overseen the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Fishing Day since 2021, bringing together mentors and their child mentees through Rotary and Dawn Breakers Fishing Club for a fishing boat trip in Tasman Bay. He raised funds to purchase laptops for Bronte House, a Nelson College for Girls support unit for complex educational needs. He has supported Rotary projects overseas to construct school buildings following natural disasters in Fiji and Nepal. He coordinated the 2008 and 2009 Nelson Motorbike shows to raise funds for the community. He secured funding to initiate the project to construct a community boat ramp at Mapua. He has chaired the Santa Parade Reloaded Trust since 2020 to revive the Nelson Santa Parade. He volunteered with the New Zealand Police Association from 1983 to 1993, chairing the Christchurch branch and as Regional Director for Tasman and Canterbury. Mr Marshall was South Island Coordinator for the launch of the Police Association Child Safety Handbook in 1992, personally raising $1 million for the project.
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The King’s Service Medal:
MCNEUR, Mr Peter Donald
For services to education and the community
Mr Peter McNeur has been a key member of the National Executive of the Rural Education and Activities Programme (REAP) and was Director of REAP Wairarapa from 1992 to 2023, organising REAP national conferences in Wellington every two years.
Mr McNeur instigated and supported numerous initiatives on the East Side of Masterton, an area high on the Deprivation Index, notably the reestablishment of the Early Childhood Centre as Ko Te Aroha Centre. He initiated the Computers in Homes digital literacy project in 2011, helping families across the Wairarapa with school-aged children gain access to digital technologies and for parents to access training to support their children. He was a key member of the team which initiated the White Ribbon movement in the Wairarapa. He helped establish the Wairarapa Men’s Shed, writing their inaugural constitution. He collaborated on Project Probe from 2000 to 2010, as a member of a trust acting on behalf of the Tararua-Wairarapa region to extend broadband access to rural areas using schools as the connection point. He was founding Trustee and Secretary on the Digital Seniors Community Board, to help Wairarapa seniors engage with technology. Mr McNeur is active with the Wairarapa Workforce Development Trust, Wairarapa Vintage Aviation Hub Community Trust and served as President of the Wairarapa Photography Club.
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The King’s Service Medal:
MILNE, Mrs Marilyn Ann
For services to netball
Mrs Marilyn Milne has been contributing to her community through netball for more than 60 years.
Mrs Milne has held various roles and responsibilities within this time throughout the Otago, Canterbury, and Nelson/Tasman Netball communities, serving as President, Secretary, coach, umpire, selector, and an Executive Member. She was the inaugural Coaching Educator with Canterbury Netball Union in 1996, teaching netball skills to those in primary and secondary schools. She served as the Nelson College for Girls’ netball coordinator responsible for more than 50 teams and was the Coach and Manager for their Senior A Team. She was the Facilitator of the Growth and Development Group for Nelson Netball and has been on the South Island Secondary Schools’ Management Committee since 1996, serving as Secretary from 2009 to 2022. She has assisted and mentored many students and has organised South Island Masters Games tournaments. She is a nationally recognised Netball Bench Official and has represented the Nelson region at national tournaments and games, including at Trans-Tasman Secondary School Championships and Silver Fern games. Mrs Milne has been awarded a Service to School Sport New Zealand Award, a Netball New Zealand Service Award, a South Island Secondary Schools’ Service Award, a Lifetime Contribution to Sport Award from Sport Tasman, and is a Life Member of Nelson Netball.
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The King’s Service Medal:
NIGHTINGALE, Mr Charles James
For services to the community
Mr Charles Nightingale has volunteered with several community organisations in Hokitika since the 1970s.
Mr Nightingale joined the Hokitika Golf Club in 1974 and has been a player and volunteered for working bees and grounds maintenance. He was made a Life Member in 2007 and continued performing maintenance until 2024. He has been involved with All Saints Anglican Parish for many years and has undertaken grounds maintenance since 2007. He has maintained the gardens with his wife, pruning, weeding and planting as required. He performed grounds upkeep for the Westland Racing Club from 2005 to 2020, keeping the racetrack, spectator areas and stables tidy for racing events. He has volunteered with Axeman’s competitions at Hokitika Racecourse for many years, having been a member of Hokitika Axemen’s Club since 1987 and a Life Member since 2019. Mr Nightingale has made key contributions to safety at competition events, ensuring the competition area is clear of wood slabs before and after events.
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The King’s Service Medal:
ODOM, Ms Linda-Lee
For services to people with disabilities and sport
Ms Linda-Lee Odom has been a long-term employee with CCS Disability Action (CCSDA) and its previous iterations since the mid-1980s.
As a person with a disability, Ms Odom has worked towards providing a voice for people with disabilities through governance and helping them engage with sports and recreation. She volunteered on the Auckland committee of Parafed from 1980 to 1989, promoting sport for people with disabilities, competing and coaching all age groups in athletics and swimming. She joined CCSDA as a recreation officer, furthering her coaching activities for disabled young people. She conducted swimming lessons out of hours and assisted with preparations for the Mini Olympics. She has volunteered at CCSDA camps, such as the winter escapade. She has volunteered on CCSDA Local Advisory Committees from 2000 to 2010 and again since 2022. She was made a Life Member of the Auckland Branch of CCSDA in 2011 and the national organisation in 2012. Ms Odom has been a volunteer with the Humane Society of New Zealand, taking dogs to Wilson Home for disabled children, hospitals and rest homes for pet therapy, which she continues to do with her own mobility dog.
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The King’s Service Medal:
PATEL, Mrs Sharda Ashok
For services to the Indian community and women
Mrs Sharda Patel supports Wellington’s Indian community, serving more than 35 years with the Wellington Indian Association.
Mrs Patel became Chair of Mahalia Samaj (Women’s Auxiliary) in 1992 and has led numerous initiatives to support Indian women. From planning informative workshops and talks featuring medical professionals to exploring topics such as breast screening, diabetes management, and the benefits of yoga, she has been instrumental in fostering physical and mental wellness within the community. She has played a pivotal role in promoting Indian culture and language. During her extensive tenure as Chair of the Indian School, she sourced funding resulting in the establishment of adult Gujarati classes in 1999. She was Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator of the Indian Women’s Forum for the New Zealand Indian Central Association for four years total. She broke new ground in 1997 by becoming the first ever woman in New Zealand to be elected President of any Indian Association, serving two terms and opening doors for women to step into leadership roles. Her leadership and strategic initiatives considerably reduced the Association’s debt following the construction of its new complex. Mrs Patel has been a founding member of Shakti Women’s Refuge, a Board Member of the Multi-Cultural Learning and Support services, and a volunteer for more than a decade for Mary Potter Hospice.
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The King’s Service Medal:
POWER, Mr Bernard Lawrence (Bernie), OStJ
For services to the community
Mr Bernie Power has made a significant community contribution to the Waimakariri district for more than 60 years.
Mr Power first joined St John as a Cadet in 1956 as part of the Youth Programme. He has served with St John since then, both as a volunteer and from 1989 to 2010 as an operational paramedic. In 2011 he was elected to the Rangiora Area Committee and joined the Hato Hone St John North Canterbury Fellowship. Since 2020 he has volunteered at the St John Opportunity Shop in Rangiora. He served for six years as Rangiora RSA Vice President and 12 years as President between 1994 and 2016. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of the RSA Club buildings between 2016 and 2019 and has been active in the fundraising for the provision of mobility aids and other services to members. He first joined the North Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band in 1962, becoming Drum Corporal, Drum Sergeant, and then Drum Major. Mr Power served as Vice President of the band for more than 25 years.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Officer of the Order of St John, 1993
Serving Brother of the Order of St John, 1986
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The King’s Service Medal:
SMITH, Mr David Grant (Grant)
For services to the community
Mr Grant Smith has been a member of Carterton Lions Club for 30 years, including two years as President, and was made a Life Member of the Lloyd Morgan Charitable Trust in 2017.
Mr Smith has been the driving force behind several successful community fundraising campaigns, particularly the purchase of a new food van which consistently provides a funding stream for further projects, which he managed for the first few years of operation. He and his wife Heather Smith established a local rural supply business in 1998, through which they supported a range of community groups with donations until selling in 2015. He has been convenor of the Carterton Daffodil Festival together with his wife since 2014, raising funds for the Carterton Lions Club and Carterton District Council. He was a Carterton District Councillor from 2008 to 2013, during which time he chaired the Water Race Committee. He has been a member of the Carterton Golf Club since 1961, serving as President from 1984 to 1986 and again from 2020 to 2022. He was made a Life Member in 1995. In addition to financial support for the club Mr Smith has provided machinery, equipment and time assisting with repairs to machinery and infrastructure, including complex breaks to the irrigation system.
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The King’s Service Medal:
SMITH, Mrs Heather Merle
For services to the community
Mrs Heather Smith and her husband David Smith established and ran a local rural supply business in Carterton from 1998 until selling the business in 2015, through which they have supported a range of community groups with donations, in addition to holding local volunteer roles.
Mrs Smith has supported her husband as convener of the Carterton Daffodil Festival since 2014, raising significant funds for the Carterton Lions Club and Carterton District Council. She has had a leading role in the Cancer Society’s transport activities as a volunteer driver from 2002 to 2021, taking people from the Wairarapa region to oncology appointments in Wellington and Palmerston North. She was the driving coordinator during this time, scheduling volunteers and ensuring patients received support. She has been volunteer Chairperson and Office Coordinator since 2014 of the Community Budgeting Trust Wairarapa. She has provided support for people in financial and personal distress, helping families regain financial stability. She has been a member of the Napier Lioness Club and previously held the role of Treasurer for the Napier branch from 1984 to 1992. She has previously volunteered for Hawke’s Bay Lifeline call centre. Mrs Smith has been Secretary/Treasurer of the New Zealand Groundspread Association Central District Branch since 2014.
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The King’s Service Medal:
SPICER, Ms Jillian Joan (Jill)
For services to the community and refugees
Ms Jill Spicer has volunteered for the New Zealand Red Cross Palmerston North Service Centre since 2006.
Ms Spicer has been active with preparation for the Red Cross Book Sale since 2006 and from 2008 to 2023 was the principal organiser of the Book Sale. During her involvement the event has grown into a three-hall, four-day event, with more than 400 volunteers and 4,000 boxes of books. Funds raised by the book sale have increased from $40,000 to $150,000 annually. She has established networks with other community organisations to facilitate Red Cross activities such as the Book Sale. During the 1980s she helped resettle refugee families and taught English to immigrants and refugees. Since 2006 she has volunteered with the Resettlement of Refugees programme under the Red Cross Palmerston North Service Centre. She has supported families with sourcing donated household items and in navigating schools, medical, banking, social services, transport and grocery shopping. Ms Spicer has personally attended medical appointments to support and advocate and provided transport to appointments generally.
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The King’s Service Medal:
TAYLOR, Mrs Fay
For services to the community
Mrs Fay Taylor joined the Women’s Division Federated Farmers Henley Branch, now Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), and has been a member for 66 years holding offices at local and regional level.
Through RWNZ Mrs Taylor has helped raise thousands of dollars for local, national and international women’s projects. She was branch delegate to the 2023 RWNZ conference in Christchurch. She has been President of the Momona Hall committee since 1992, ensuring it has remained open for the community to use. She has also been involved with the indoor bowls association at Momona Hall. She has been instrumental in maintaining the Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association (OPWMAI) hall, acting as caretaker for many years until its sale in 2023. She joined OPWMAI around 2008, at a time when the organisation was at risk of failing, taking on responsibility for ensuring the hall was maintained and kept available for the community. She has remained steadfast through changes of committee and supported the organisation to find a solution to a poor earthquake rating for the hall. She continues to clean the hall on a voluntary basis for the new trust that owns the building. Mrs Taylor has been a key contributor to maintaining the community garden at the St Johns Masonic Lodge in Mosgiel.
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The King’s Service Medal:
WEBB, Mr Robert John Ryrie (Rob), JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Mr Rob Webb has been involved in community initiatives in the Taihape community for several decades.
Mr Webb has volunteered with the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1970, was Deputy Chief Fire Officer for 19 years and continues as Operational Support and a Life Member. He was a Taihape Borough Councillor for two terms and served as Chairman on the Taihape Community Board for two terms in the early 1980s. He has been President of the Taihape RSA from 1999 to 2018, playing a key role in the town’s ANZAC commemorations. He has played the bugle at ANZAC Dawn Services for 55 years. He was on the Boards of Trustees for Taihape Primary School and Taihape College in the 1990s, taught brass band music to college students following the retirement of the music teacher, and coached college rugby from 1992 to 1995. He has been a Pirates Rugby Club committee member and a long-term member of Taihape Musicians Club. He has held roles in St Margaret’s Anglican Church as a vestry member, lay reader and Synod representative. Mr Webb has been a marriage celebrant since 1995, was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 2004 and has worked in the Taihape District Court as a Bailiff and Clerk for more than 20 years.
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The King’s Service Medal:
WILLIAMS, Mr Glenn Victor, JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Mr Glenn Williams served with the Mount Maunganui Volunteer Fire Brigade from 1981 to 1993 and since 1993 with Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Mr Williams has been Chief Fire Officer of Te Puke Brigade since 2006 and is a Life Member. He provided insight from the volunteer perspective as an Integration Advisor for the transition from the New Zealand Fire Service to Fire and Emergency New Zealand from 2018 to 2020. He was appointed to the Safety Health and Wellbeing Project Team during the transition. He became a Director of the United Fire Brigades Association (UFBA) in 2011, attaining several leadership roles until being appointed President in 2018 and subsequently a Life Member in 2019. He was engaged with the UFBA’s involvement in the development and consultation phases of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act, helping shape the framework. His attendance at Te Puke Brigade call outs and training musters has remained high, despite his additional commitments to UFBA and FENZ. He was a member of the NZFS Regional Operating Committee from 2006 to 2013. He was a Trustee of Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand from 2016 to 2019, contributing to strategic decision making and fundraising. Mr Williams led a committee to fundraise $50,000 for Te Puke High School in 2009.
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The King’s Service Medal:
WOOD, Ms Vicki Margaret
For services to victim support
Ms Vicki Wood has been a voluntary victim support worker with Victim Support New Zealand since 1999.
Ms Wood has contributed significant amounts of her time to providing support for victims of crime in Tauranga over the years. She has supported the 24/7 call-out service to the public, personally covering shifts when volunteers were not available or further volunteers required. There have been times when she has been the sole volunteer available for several weeks and has often missed personal events to support others in crisis. She has supported victims of crime and their families by providing initial comfort, support, accessing information and guidance from government agencies, and ultimately Police, court and coronial proceedings. She has undertaken specialist training in her own time to support victims of homicide, sexual violence and suicide bereavement. She is well regarded for her reliability, non-judgemental approach and, regardless of incident, supporting people to move on and take back control of their lives. She has also acted as a ‘buddy’ and mentor to a number of new volunteers during the last twenty years. Ms Wood is also a volunteer driver for the St John health shuttle.
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The King’s Service Medal:
ZAWADA, Mr Joseph
For services to the Polish community and historical research
Mr Joseph Zawada has been one of the longest standing members of the Polish Association of New Zealand since the 1950s.
Mr Zawada helped organise the 25th, 30th, 50th and 60th reunions of the Pahiatua Polish Children’s Camp, set up to accommodate deported Polish children as wards of the state during World War II. He co-authored the book ‘Pahiatua’s Polish Children – New Zealand’s First Refugees’, published for the 60th reunion, and was heavily involved in translating the book into Polish. He has been an archivist of information and photographs related to the Pahiatua Polish Children, helping with academic and family history research. He compiled information for the permanent display at Pahiatua and Districts Museum. He helped organise the Taranaki Centenary of Polish settlement. He has been recognised for his services by Polish Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow (SPK). He was a member of the Polish School Committee of Petone/Lower Hutt, supporting staff and students and organising the inaugural and many subsequent school camps. He has volunteered to assist with camps and trips undertaken by the Polish Youth Club Wellington. He chaired the Polish Church Committee for more than 20 years, supporting the Polish Chaplaincy in New Zealand. Mr Zawada has represented the Polish community on the Lower Hutt Ethnic Council for several years.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, 2018
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