Queen's Birthday Honours: David Kernohan

CAN-DO ATTITUDE: Gladstone architect David Kernohan has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

A "can-do attitude" has seen a Gladstone man recognised for his services to architecture.

Originally from Glasgow, architect David Kernohan says he owes his success, which saw him made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit today, to adopting a Kiwi approach to life.

Mr Kernohan said his two daughters and his wife, Christine, who runs Gladstone Vineyard, had also picked up on the philosophy.

"It's just an attitude that we have ... New Zealand has given us a can-do attitude and I think that we've adopted that - it's something that we don't have in the UK. If they see something that needs to be done, they get up and do it."

Mr Kernohan said he was proud to have made a difference to his adopted home.

"I'm really proud of my family's contribution to New Zealand. My wife and my daughters have all contributed in their way."

Mr Kernohan moved to New Zealand to take up a position at Victoria University, where he taught architecture for more than 22 years.

With a passion for building heritage, Mr Kernohan describes his love for architecture as an "addiction".

"It's a great way of learning about history because buildings are a great way of reflecting what's going on ... my interest has always been the relationship between people and buildings."

Receiving the award was exciting as his career had always been a bit "left-field", he said.

As chairman of the Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust, he helped save the Wellington chapel, which has been described as an "architectural masterpiece", from demolition.

He was appointed by the Building Industry Authority to investigate leaky houses, with his investigation forming part of the report which became a critical component in the review of the Building Act.

He chaired Wellington City Council's Waterfront Development sub-committee and later the Board of Wellington Waterfront Ltd, and is a Deputy Environment Commissioner.

But the most rewarding part of his career were the students who challenged his thinking, Mr Kernohan said.

"It's an ongoing experience for me, it's such a benefit."