South Islanders celebrated
New Zealanders from all walks of life have been recognised in the New Year honours 2020.
A total of 180 Kiwis have been named in the awards, 136 in the North Island and 44 in the South Island.
In Canterbury, 18 people have been honoured and among them is artist Ranui Ngarimu who has been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Ma¯ ori art and culture, particularly weaving.
She started weaving when she was in her early 20s, led the national weavers in the Ma¯ori Art meets America tour of 2005 and 2006, and co-authored the book The Eternal Thread – Te Aho Mutunga Kore with her late sister, Miriama Evans.
She was ‘‘very surprised’’ to have been nominated for a New Year honour.
‘‘I have had many years of wonderful experiences. In those early years, I was privileged to sit and learn from some of our national treasures.
‘‘Over the years I have travelled, meeting and sharing Ma¯ ori weaving fibres and techniques with indigenous weavers across the globe.’’
Also from Christchurch is Jane Clark who was awarded an ONZM for services to gymnastics, having dedicated more than 25 years to the sport, as a coach and judge. Clark is a life member of Christchurch School of Gymnastics and said the honour topped off a ‘‘very memorable year’’, with the club celebrating its 50th jubilee and the opening of its purpose-built venue next to the QEII Recreation and Sport Centre.
Among her achievements, she started a programme for school groups – which is a model that other clubs have followed – and chaired the organising committees for international and national gymnastics competitions held in Christchurch.
‘‘None of this could have been achieved without the support of my family and the continued support of some very special people in the gymnastics community who have been on this journey with me from the beginning.’’
Tony Kokshoorn is one of three West Coasters to be honoured.
He was elected Grey mayor in
2004 – standing unopposed in four elections – and was awarded an ONZM for services to local government and the community.
‘‘I believe it is recognition of the hard work we have had on the West Coast, with Pike River and the collapse of the coal mining industry.
‘‘I see this as a recognition of the West Coast and the resilience of West Coasters. I might get the medal but we have all been through some tough times.’’
During his tenure, more than
$130 million was spent on infrastructure upgrades, including new sewerage schemes, a new aquatic centre, Westland Stadium and the Greymouth town square.
‘‘We changed the town so it was better for residents and we turned Greymouth around so that it is a better place to live.’’
Adventurer Lydia Bradey received an ONZM for her services to mountaineering.
Bradey summited New Zealand’s Mt Aspiring and Aoraki/ Mt Cook before her 19th birthday and in 1988 became the first woman in the world to climb Mt Everest without supplementary oxygen.
She was born and raised in Christchurch but now lives at Lake Ha¯wea and is one of 16 people in Otago included in this year’s honours.
‘‘It means that mountaineering is recognised not just for the, incredible, value of Sir Edmund Hillary’s first ascent, but continues to be a sport or occupation of value to our society and identity,’’ Bradey said.
‘‘I would expect I was nominated for my world firsts in highaltitude mountaineering and in recognition as a female mountain guide at altitude. But then, you never know, it might be for the funny stories I tell in mountain huts.’’
Graeme and Ros Gale were honoured for their services to aviation and conservation, and have the rare privilege of being the only couple to both receive an ONZM in this year’s list.
They have been married for 47 years and founded Helicopters Otago, which has been operating in the Otago and Southland regions since 1990.
The company has grown to become one of the largest helicopter operations in New Zealand – with a fleet of 15 helicopters – and has delivered the air ambulance and rescue service for the lower South Island since 1998.
‘‘We rely on the doctors, nurses, paramedics, engineers.
‘‘It is the people we have got around us who really deserve [the honour],’’ Graeme Gale said.
‘‘Personally, you do sacrifice things over the years but when you see a patient a few months on, on their way to recovery, that makes it worthwhile.’’
Dunedin academic Shayne Walker received an ONZM for services to fostering children and social work.
He and his wife, Helen, fostered more than 190 boys and young men over 12 years and are still in contact with many of them.
‘‘I am a great-grandfather to many of their kids,’’ he said.
Walker was orphaned aged 12 and placed into care but said the love and encouragement he received from his wha¯nau inspired him to want to help other young people.
‘‘Helen deserves half of the award, she has been my sweetheart since 16.’’
The couple raised their three daughters – Alice, Bethany and Lydia – alongside the many boys they fostered. ‘‘We always had a house of eight to 10 people.’’
He praised the support he has received from University of Otago where he is a senior lecturer in social work.
‘‘I don’t see this as an individual achievement, I am only as good as the people I surround myself with.’’