Last updated:
Friday, 31 December 2021
To be a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order:
CHADWICK, The Honourable Stephanie Anne (Steve)
For services to local government and as a Member of Parliament
The Honourable Steve Chadwick has contributed to both national and local government in New Zealand for the past 21 years.
Ms Chadwick worked as a Health Manager in Rotorua for 24 years, where she helped to design the combined maternal and child health service at the hospital, and established the city’s first Family Planning Clinic and Women’s Refuge. She was an elected member of the Rotorua District Council for one term and a Member of Parliament for four terms. She held roles as the Minister of Conservation, Minister for Women’s Affairs, and Associate Minister of Health. She introduced the Smoke-Free Environments Amendment Bill 2003, which banned smoking in all workplaces including offices, restaurants and schools. She has been the Mayor of Rotorua since 2013. She has advocated for a greater relationship between Te Arawa and the Rotorua Lakes Council, led the development of the Council’s ‘Rotorua 2030 Vision,’ and advocated for the renovation of the Rotorua Public Library to become the first Library and Child Health Hub. She has been a Patron of the New Zealand Guillain Barre Society for the past 14 years Ms Chadwick is Patron of the Rotorua Multiple Sclerosis Society and Rotorua Riding for the Disabled and a Trustee of the Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust.
To be a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order:
DURBIN, Mr Kenneth James (Ken)
For services to the community and youth
Mr Ken Durbin has held several roles with YMCA North over 46 years, including three terms as President, as well as Treasurer and Board Member.
Mr Durbin was the driving force behind the development and adoption of a strategic plan to merge North Shore, Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga YMCAs into one, creating YMCA North, New Zealand’s largest non-governmental provider of community recreation, and has been a member of Board since 1975. As a Chartered Accountant by profession, he was crucial in the financial sub-committee monitoring YMCA’s finances, which now has a turnover of $26 million. As President from 1998 to 2001, he promoted adoption of the four core values of YMCA ‘Respect, Honesty, Responsibility and Caring’, turning YMCA into a values-based organisation. He has been a member on the National Council of YMCA. He was director of the youth programme ‘Raise up and Represent’, a group representing all youth in their community, which began in Auckland and is now nationwide. He played a key role in YMCA North receiving accreditation in 2017 from Safe Guarding and Child Protection Australia, which ensures the highest standards of child protection, having led the governance committee to introduce this programme to New Zealand. Mr Durbin is a Life Member of YMCA North and the YMCA National Movement.
To be a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order:
HARTLEY, Ms Margaret Ann (Ann)
For services to local government and the community
Ms Ann Hartley has been involved with the Birkdale, Birkenhead and North Shore communities for more than 50 years.
Ms Hartley was coordinator of the Birkdale community house in the 1970s and played a significant role in the establishment of the creche at St Philip’s Church in Birkdale. She was first elected to Birkenhead City Council in 1980, becoming Mayor in 1986 and was elected Mayor of North Shore City upon its inception in 1989. As Mayor, she worked with other councils to secure funding for the establishment of the only Marae in the North Shore area, Awataha Marae. She was elected to Parliament for the Northcote electorate in 1999, was Deputy Speaker of the House from 2002 to 2005, and a list member and Assistant Speaker from 2005 until her retirement in 2008. From 2008 to 2012 she was a Trustee of the ASB Community Trust and served as Chair. She was Councillor for the North Shore Ward from 2010 to 2013. She has been influential in establishing and maintaining the North Shore’s rich array of parks and facilities including North Shore Events Centre, Kauri Point Centennial Park and the Bruce Mason Centre, and improved public beach access at Takapuna. Ms Hartley was elected to Kaipātiki Local Board of Auckland Council in 2016.
HONOURS
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
To be a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order:
SANSON, Mr Lewis Vernon (Lou), NZAM
For services to conservation and public service
Mr Lou Sanson has had a public service career of 47 years, with six years as Conservator for Southland Conservancy, 11 years as CEO of Antarctica New Zealand, and was Director-General of Conservation from 2013 until retiring in 2021.
Mr Sanson led the Department of Conservation (DOC) to successfully deliver projects, while maintaining positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community groups and organisations, iwi, central, regional and local government, business partners, private landowners and 4,000 concession holders. He has focused on improving biodiversity and systems to prevent the continued loss of taonga species. His strong relationships enabled him to successfully deliver major regional projects such as the establishment of the new Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island, Hump Ridge Track Project with the Tuatapere Community, the world’s largest rat eradication project on Campbell Island, and Tai Timu Tai Pari Marine Spatial Plan for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. He was Crown negotiator for the Ngai Tahu Deed Settlement Act on the Titi lslands/Whenua Hou Settlements. He has helped New Zealand meet obligations in various international conservation agreements and been a leader in responding to significant natural disasters nationally. Mr Sanson has overseen the launch of the Predator Free New Zealand Strategy and the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and encouraged more investments in job-generating conservation projects.
HONOURS
New Zealand Antarctic Medal, New Year 2015
