Editorial: Honours reward our gems

Tracey Chatterton.

Today we recognise the gems in our community, with the announcement of the Queen's Birthday Honours - a formal thank you to those who have achieved in their chosen field or dedicated themselves to a cause, club or sport.

There are always notable names atop the list and this year is no different.

From our own backyard, we have Andy Lowe - the driving force behind Cape Sanctuary - who becomes a Member of the Order of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and former All Black and former Central Districts cricketer and association chief executive Blair Furlong, who receives a Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

Then there are the less well-known names, who are just as worthy as they are often the hidden gems in our community, working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Many of us may have seen veteran Hastings police youth services officer Ross Stewart on the streets but not come into contact with him.

He's developed and delivered joint-services training with police and Child, Youth and Family social workers at a national level. The energy he's put into policing and youth has resulted in him being made an Officer of the Order of New Zealand (ONZM).

Another person who works out of the spotlight is Kerry Duncan, from Bay View, who has helped generations of people with budgeting and helped establish the Napier Citizens Advice Bureau. She and talented bagpiper Murray Mansfield, who first picked up the instrument in Napier, receive a QSM.

Peter Wilson, who once headed the Hawke's Bay District Health Board and Napier Port but now lives outside the region, becomes a Member of the Order of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to business.

All deserving recipients.