Waimakariri District Council has hosted an afternoon tea in honour of this year’s King’s New Years Honours recipients from the district and those who have had made a significant contribution to the district through their work.
At the event, Mayor, Dan Gordon, expressed his deep appreciation for each recipient’s contribution.
“As Mayor, it was an immensely proud moment to welcome these outstanding individuals, along with their close friends and families. Being recognised with a King’s New Years Honours is a truly significant achievement, and I felt it was important to honour them on behalf of the entire Waimakariri District,” said Mayor Gordon.
“What makes our District truly special is its people. We are so fortunate to have countless dedicated volunteers and hardworking individuals who tirelessly contribute to making life better for others. Their efforts and passion are what define us, and it’s something we should all celebrate together.”
This year’s recipients of King’s New Years Honours were:
- Marguerite Christophers ONZM. Ms Christophers has dedicated more than 25 years to people with disabilities and Para sport. She has been the Classification Manager for Paralympics New Zealand since 2009, responsible for the development and implementation of a world leading national classification programme.
- Ross McQueen MNZM has been recognised for services to the community. He has contributed more than 50 years to the Rangiora Smallbore Rifle Club and the Christchurch City Mission. Mr McQueen has been coaching high school students from Rangiora High School and Kaiapoi High School in small-bore shooting since 1974. He is regarded as a pillar of the Christchurch City Mission having begun with the organisation in 1976.
- Darryl Smith KSM has served as the New Zealand Ambassador to the United States of America National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse and has self-published books on his experiences in state care and faith-based institutions. Mr Smith has campaigned for decades against the abuse in Catholic Churches and state care, raising awareness on the forms of abuse and educational neglect faced by children.
- Emeritus Professor Murray Tilyard ONZM. Although not a Waimakariri District resident, Mayor Dan chose to make mention of Prof Tilyard’s contributions to Waimakariri. He has supported healthcare in the District for many years and has been instrumental in getting the proposed North Canterbury Health Hub underway. Prof Tilyard was appointed to the Chair of General Practice at the Otago School of Medicine and was Head of Department at Dunedin School of Medicine from 1993 until retiring in 2022.
Two recipients from last year’s honours were also celebrated as they were not able to attend the 2024 afternoon tea.
- Arihia Bennett was awarded an CNZM she previously held an MNZM. For services to Māori, governance and the community. Ms Bennett was the first woman and the longest serving Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu from 2012 to 2024. She is a member of the Global Women’s Network and the Tuahiwi Māori Women’s Welfare League.
- Elizabeth Cunningham KSO is also not from this District but has made a significant contribution to the lives of many here, the Mayor said. She has had a career spanning more than 50 years, focusing on the intergenerational health and wellbeing of whānau. She was the first Māori elected to the Canterbury Area Health Board from 1991 to 1993, the first Māori elected as Canterbury Councillor for the Environment from 2004 to 2007 and chaired the Māori Advisory Committee for Environment Canterbury.
