Local champions acknowledged in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours

Thirteen former and current local government leaders have been acknowledged for their service in this year’s New Year’s Honours List:

• Anae Lupermatasila Lima Arthur Anae MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Auckland, for services to the Samoan community. A former MP and councillor for Manukau City Council from 2004-2010 and Auckland Council from 2010-2016, Mr Anae championed Pacific rights for decades. He led a campaign culminating in the 2024 passing of legislation restoring New Zealand citizenship to thousands of Samoans, following a 100,000-signature petition and 24,500 Select Committee submissions. He’s also chaired Pacific development initiatives and served as an elder and leader within the Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church.
  
• John Coleman KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Kaikohe, for services to the community and sport. A dedicated volunteer for nearly 60 years, John served on the Kaikohe Community Board for six years, representing both Far North District Council and Northland District Council. He and his wife Lily have sponsored the local A&P show, donated land back to hapū, and supported local schools through board service and fundraising. A long-time rugby referee and mentor, he also led the Kaikohe Swimming Club as Head Coach and Chair, helping fund solar heating and new clubrooms.
  
• Margaret Cousins KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Lower Hutt, for services to local government and the community. A Hutt City Councillor for 36 years, Margaret held numerous committee and chair roles and contributed to regional work on climate change and natural hazards. She’s been a long-standing member of the Normandale Residents’ Association, championing local improvements, and has supported women’s education through her work with Suffrage Hutt Education.
  
• Gavin Dennis KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Matata, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community. A long-serving volunteer firefighter, Gavin is Chief Fire Officer of the Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade and founded its successful youth cadet programme. He served on the Rangitaiki Community Board for 12 years, including as Deputy Chair, and was elected to Whakatāne District Council in 2019. He’s also contributed to local schools, residents’ groups and flood recovery efforts in his community.
  
• David Elliott Major MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Levin, for services to the community and the State. Reverend Major provided pastoral care to MPs from all parties for two decades, leading weekly inter-party prayer meetings and breakfasts. A former Wellington City Councillor, his public service also includes roles on the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority and the New Zealand Parole Board, and with the Salvation Army.
  
• Lloyd McCallum MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Winton, for services to the dairy industry and the environment. Lloyd has contributed to several industry bodies and was elected to Environment Southland in 2013, becoming Deputy Chair in 2016. An award-winning dairy farmer and church elder, Mr McCallum was a pioneer in transitioning Southland sheep and arable farms to dairy production from 1990, contributing to regional growth. He co-chaired Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust, dedicated to freshwater quality enhancement in the Waituna region.
  
• Annie McCracken KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Invercargill, for services to the community. A former councillor for Southland District Council for six years, Anne has supported rural health, conservation, and tourism initiatives across Western Southland. She’s contributed to the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, Southland Medical Foundation, and Waiau Health Trust, and held long-standing leadership roles with Borland Lodge Adventure and Education Trust and the Southland Women’s Club.
  
• Ian McKelvie MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Palmerston North, for services to local government, governance, and as a Member of Parliament. Ian served as Mayor of Manawatū District Council from 2002 to 2011, and as MP for Rangitīkei from 2011 to 2023. As Mayor, he led the creation of the Manawatū Community Trust to improve housing for seniors and disabled residents. He also had leadership roles in the Royal Agricultural Society, Te Kawau Rugby Football Club, and a longstanding involvement in equestrian and racing communities.
  
• Terry O’Regan KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Moana, for services to nursing and the community. A long-serving rural nurse on the West Coast, Terry provided healthcare across remote communities for more than 20 years, often travelling in his campervan to relieve local staff. His work enabled many patients to stay in their homes while receiving care. He also served one term on the Grey District Council and continues to contribute to his local community through events and restoration projects.
  
• Dover Samuels KSO (Companion of the King’s Service Order) – of Kerikeri, for services as a Member of Parliament. Dover served as Labour Party List MP in the late 1990s and again from 2005 to 2008, and as MP for Te Tai Tokerau from 1999 to 2005. He held ministerial roles including Minister of Māori Affairs, and Associate Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Economic Development, Industry and Regional Development, and Housing. He led a Māori business delegation to China, resulting in a key tourism agreement, and served on multiple parliamentary committees. Prior to Parliament, he was Deputy Mayor of Far North District Council.
  
• Diana Shand MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Christchurch, for services to the environment and the community. A long-time advocate for sustainable resource management, Diana served on the inaugural Canterbury Regional Council from 1989 to 2004, championing public transport, air quality, biodiversity and climate action. She was also a Human Rights Commissioner, establishing the Commission’s South Island office, and served over a decade on the University of Canterbury Council. Her international contributions include roles with the UN and IUCN, and she currently chairs Forest & Bird’s North Canterbury Branch.
  
• Neil Walker ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Hawera, for services to primary industries and the community. A nine-term member and current Deputy Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, Neil has held leadership roles across the dairy and apiculture sectors. He played a key role in establishing manuka honey as a major export, chaired national partnerships to develop the industry, and represented New Zealand on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand authority. He’s also been a Justice of the Peace since 1991 and a Life Member of CCS Disabilities Taranaki, with more than 40 years of service.
  
• Jacqueline Watson KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Kaiapoi, for services to the community and the arts. Chair of the Kaiapoi Tuahiwi Community Board since 2021 and member since 2010, Jackie has played a key role in Waimakariri’s post-quake recovery and arts development. She helped lead All Together Kaiapoi’s community festivals and Waitangi Day events, supported local families after the earthquakes, and championed public art through initiatives like the Kaiapoi Art Expo and Art on the Quay.

These local government staff members and appointees were also celebrated for their service:

• Mark Cooper KNZM (Knight’s Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Martinborough, for services to the judiciary. Of Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui, Justice Mark served as President of the Court of Appeal from 2022 to 2024, following tenures as a Court of Appeal and High Court Judge. He chaired the Royal Commission into the Canterbury Earthquakes, delivering four detailed reports under intense scrutiny. A former expert in local government and resource management law, he authored Cooper on Local Government and advised on major Auckland council reforms around integration of territorial authorities.
  
• Allison Franklin MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Christchurch, for services to people with disabilities. A dedicated advocate, Allison has championed policy reforms and inclusivity for disabled communities throughout her career, serving on Christchurch City Council’s Disability Advisory Group, the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand’s Executive Board, and the Christchurch Community House Trust. Her efforts have been recognised with awards including the Roy McKenzie Foundation Travel Award (1989), Christchurch City Council Civic Award (2005), and Local Hero Award (2010).
  
• Peter Nation ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Hamilton, for services to the agricultural industry and governance. Peter was a community representative member for Waikato Regional Council’s Waikato Plan Leadership Committee from 2020 to 2023, and Chief Executive of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society from 2016 to 2024. He played a key role in growing Fieldays into Australasia’s largest agricultural event and guiding it through COVID-19 disruptions. He’s also held governance roles with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce, Agritech New Zealand, and the New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust.
  
• Alan Troon KSM (King’s Service Medal) – of Taihape, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. A former staff member of Rangitikei Country Council, Alan has been Chief Fire Officer of the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade since 2009 and was made a Life Member in 2022. He led the rebuild of the Taihape Fire Station, which opened in 2022. A long-time community volunteer, Alan has held leadership roles in the Taihape Tennis Association and Kindergarten Committee, and is President of the New Zealand Boot Throwing Association. Alan also coaches youth badminton and has supported local ambulance services.
  
• Diane Turner MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) – of Whakatāne, for services to governance, seniors, and Māori. Diane has shown outstanding leadership through national crises and significant contributions to the older persons’ sector, being recognised in 2012 for her role in Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) preparedness while at Whakatāne District Council. As Director of the Office for Seniors, she championed the national strategy ‘Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019-2034’, including an internationally awarded Digital Literacy Training programme and New Zealand’s Age Friendly Cities and Communities initiative.