Six exceptional people honoured

Four Hawke's Bay people and two with ties to the region have been recognised in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours which have been announced today.

They are veteran Hastings police youth services officer Sergeant Ross Stewart, Havelock North businessman and Cape Sanctuary driving force Andy Lowe, Napier Citizens Advice Bureau founding member Kerry Duncan, of Bay View and former All Black and former Central Districts cricketer and association chief executive Blair Furlong, of Napier, former chairman of Hawke's Bay District Health Board Peter Wilson, now of Otaki, and bagpiper Murray Mansfield, now of Palmerston North.

Mr Stewart is made an Officer of the Order of New Zealand (ONZM) and Mr Lowe, son of late meat industry giant and Hawke's Bay philanthropist Graeme Lowe CNZM, QSM, becomes a Member of the Order of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) along with Mr Wilson, for services to business.

Mrs Duncan, Mr Furlong and Mr Mansfield each receive the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

The list recognises 177 people for their various achievements in professional and volunteer capacities, but there are none from Central Hawke's Bay, Dannevirke or Wairoa in the list.

While there are no recipients of the highest honour, the non-titled Order of New Zealand which is limited to 20 living people with currently one vacancy and which was most recently awarded to World Cup-winning All Black captain Richie McCaw in the New Year Honours five months ago, seven people have been made dame or sir.

The president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ellen France, and educationalist Karen Sewell, QSO, both of Wellington, have each been created Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Made Knight Companion are conservationist and businessman Rob Fenwick, CNZM, KStJ, of Auckland, philanthropist Michael Friedlander, CNZM, of Auckland, Niwa chairman Christopher Mace, CNZM, of Auckland, Wellington Maori health, education and economic development protagonist and former Te Ohu Kai Moana Trust chairman Matiu Te Rei, and Judge Ron Young, the former chief district court judge, now retired and living in Greytown.

The bulk of the investitures are expected to take place at Government House in Wellington over the next six months. However, some will be done in Auckland and possibly, in some cases, in recipients' local communities.

Some of the investitures are expected to be performed by new Queen's representative in New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy, after she becomes governor-general in September, replacing Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Royal honour systems have been in place in New Zealand since the late 1840s. Nominations can be made by any person to the Honours Unit of the Cabinet Office of Parliament. Awards are made on ministerial advice to the Queen.