Great service recognised
North Canterbury-based Gerald Dwyer has been honoured by King Charles III for his services to rowing.
He was among 182 people given nods in this year’s King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours, announced on Monday.
Queen Camilla was appointed as an additional Member of the Order of New Zealand for her services to New Zealand in support of King Charles III.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was made a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM) for services to the State.
‘‘I was in two minds about accepting this acknowledgement. So many of the things we went through as a nation over the last five years were about all of us rather than one individual,’’ she said.
‘‘But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years. And so for me this a way to say thank you – to my family, to my colleagues.’’
Three more Dames were added to the list – Jo Brosnahan, QSO, for services to governance and business, 2019 Wellington Public Service winner Helene Quilter, QSO, for services to the public service and the arts and Dr Teuila
Percival, QSO, for services to health and the Pacific community.
Three more Knights were also appointed – the Honourable Justice John Stephen (Stephen) Ko´ s, KC, for services to the judiciary and legal education, Selwyn Parata for services to Mā ori and the man who led the Black Ferns to victory Coach Wayne Smith, CNZM, for services to rugby.
Dwyer, of East Eyreton near Kaiapoi, was named a Member of the NZOM.
He was appointed to the board of Rowing New Zealand in 2000, serving as chairperson from 2013 to 2022.
During his time as chairperson, New Zealand won 18 Olympic rowing medals.
Dwyer, who has lived in North Canterbury for 25 years, has also been a member of Sport Canterbury’s board for 12 years and served as president of the Avon Rowing Club in Christchurch.
He has held various roles within Rowing New Zealand, including as manager of the under-19 and under-23 teams from 1992 to 2003, selection ombudsman between 2003 and 2012, and race official at New Zealand Championships and Maadi Cups since 1994.
Dwyer was a member of the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Committee between
2000 and 2012.
‘‘I feel very privileged. Rowing New Zealand has always had a great base of volunteers and it’s been a privilege to be part of that.’’
The award was recognition of rowing and its success as a sport, which was largely due to the strong volunteer base, he said.
Dwyer was also director of Rowing New Zealand for 21 years, and was director from 2006 of the lead up to the World Rowing Championships held at Lake Karapiro in Waikato in 2010.
He has received life membership with the Avon Rowing Club, Canterbury Rowing Association,
Rowing New Zealand and Canterbury Sports Foundation.
Since retirement last year, Dwyer has continued to serve as a race official.
In his professional life, Dwyer workers with Clark Boyce Lawyers, where he has been a partner since 1983.