Locals honoured on Queen’s Birthday
Pamela Dawkins was appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to horticulture. Following a significant career with International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS), including being New Zealand’s International Director and later International President of the Society in 1994, she co-founded the Te Puna Quarry Park in 1995.
The Park was transformed from an old quarry into a major horticulture and floriculture tourism destination in the Western Bay, which opened to the public in 1997. She has been on the Park’s committee for the past 25 years, including as President from 2001 to 2004. Mrs Dawkins continues her hands-on involvement with the Park three days a week, contributing to weeding, planting and other general maintenance tasks.
Mr Ian Robinson, JP, was awarded the Queen's Service
Medal for services to surf lifesaving and the community. Mr Robinson has volunteered for the Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving Club since 1953, having held multiple positions within the Club. For more than 30 years, he has organised and sponsored the annual Waihī Beach Fun Run, and the Waihī Beach New Year’s Children’s Sports Day, the longest-running family sports day in New Zealand. He volunteered for the Waihī Police’s search and rescue operations for 45 years. He continues to actively volunteer and fundraise for the community.
Mr Robert McGowan, JP, was awarded The Queen’s Service Medal for services to Māori and conservation. Mr McGowan is one of the foremost authorities on rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine). He was the founding Chair of the Kaimai-Mamaku Catchments Forum from 2006 to 2018.
Mr Graham Carrick Preston was created a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education. Mr Preston was the key driver of the establishment of the Bethlehem Educational Campus in Tauranga.
Mr David Michael Benton became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to addiction support and treatment. Mr Benton has worked in the addictions field for 30 years and has recently been collaborating with Te Tuinga Whānau to create assistance services for homeless people who have drug and alcohol-related issues.
Ngāreta Timutimu became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and education. Mrs Timutimu has participated in all education sectors from early years to tertiary, in governance and management, and in Māori and English mediums over more than 30 years.