It was a happy and surprising new year for seven Nelsonians who received New Years Honours: Leigh Gibbs, Dr Kathleen Walker, Waihaere Mason, Eileen Harvey-Thawley, Paul Morgan, Tony Gray, and Nathan Fa’avae.
Leigh Gibbs was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to netball having been a player, coach, umpire and administrator in netball for 50 years.
A Silver Fern for nine years, she played in three Netball World Cups, including captaining the 1987 team, which is often described as the greatest New Zealand team of all.
Leigh was appointed Coach of the Silver Ferns in 1994 – she was at the helm for 32 Tests, winning 24 and losing eight for a 75 percent success rate. She also served as Netball New Zealand’s Talent Development Manager for 11 years, and served on the International Federation of Netball Associations’ Rules and Coaching Advisory Panel between 2009 and 2017.
She was the Coach of the Mainland Tactix between 2012 and 2014 and spent five years at the Queensland State Netball Centre. She was made an Honorary Life Member of Netball New Zealand in 2017.
At the start of 2021, Leigh returned to New Zealand taking up the role of general manager of Nelson Netball Centre to oversee the thousands of local members from years 1 and 2 juniors through to competition and social grades.
Dr Kath Walker was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) after devoting four decades to the welfare of the unique and quirky Powelliphanta land snails and the study and protection of Antipodean wandering albatrosses.
A scientist with the Wildlife Service and then the Department of Conservation, Kath initiated establishment of the Rotoiti ‘Mainland Island’ and eradication of rodents on Motuara and Chetwode Islands, now bird sanctuaries.
She conducted a nationwide survey of giant carnivorous Powelliphanta snails, providing advice on their protection and raising public awareness of their threatened status.
In 2004, she discovered a previously unknown species on the Stockton Plateau which she named Powelliphanta augusta, and after its habitat was destroyed helped DOC for 17 years to keep the snails alive in captivity and spearheaded efforts to have its habitat restored.
Along with her partner Graeme Elliott, she has been monitoring the health of albatross populations since an expedition in 1989 in search of the elusive and vulnerable Auckland Rail albatross on Adams Island peaked their interest. Since then, they have undertaken annual expeditions to Adams and Antipodes Islands, in their holidays, to study the population in order to halt their downward trajectory in numbers.
Waihaere Mason (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Rārua, Te Atiawa o Te Waipounamu) was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori and education.
He retired from teaching as Principal of Nelson Intermediate in 2006 after 45 years of service. After many years of service on the Ngāti Kuia Trust Board, which included over 20 years as Chairman, Waihaere Mason retired November 2022, with a special occasion at Whakatū Marae – a fitting location as he was on the Whakatū Marae Komiti for 15 years, four as Chairperson.
Waihaere held a leading role within the Kurahaupō Iwi Large Natural Group of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne, and Ngāti Kuia negotiating respective settlements through the Waitangi Tribunal process in 2010, the initial Aquaculture Settlement in 2004 and settlement for Water Space in 2015.
He has been a member and supporter of Te Tauihi Komiti including the Māori Rugby Board since 2019, 28th Māori Battalion Pou Mana and Tu Pono – Family Violence.
He has been a founding member of Te Putahitanga – Whānau Ora o Te Waipounamu since 2014 and has been Co-Chair of Te Hoiere Project since 2018, a long-term environmental restoration project.
Mrs Eileen Harvey-Thawley has received a Queen’s Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
She has volunteered with the Māpua Volunteer Fire Brigade since the mid-1990s, including as Operational Support Officer since 2004 and Treasurer since 2006.
At age 83, she continues to respond to emergency callouts, providing operational support at the station and waiting until crews return. She helps with Māpua Brigade’s risk reduction activities and has led efforts for the preservation and housing of a 1948 heritage fire appliance, which was Māpua’s first fire truck and is used by the brigade at community events.
A keen historian, she has helped organise historical displays at Māpua Wharf and in Upper Moutere. She has also been a Board member of Moutere Hills Cemetery since 1990, helping with the recognition of sites of historical significance in Māpua and Moutere.
To help mark the World War I centenary, Eileen was instrumental in the establishment of the Roll of Honour database, that comprises the names of more than 2,500 men and women from the region who served during the war.
The project, which took many years to compile, is considering one of the most complete records of any province in the country.
Nathan Fa’avae was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to adventure racing, outdoor education and the Pacific community.
Paul Te Poa Karoro Morgan was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to Māori and business, having received the Insignia of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for services to Māori business and Māori in 2010.
Tony Gray was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to education.
By Judene Edgar
