Bay honourees headed to Government House for investiture ceremonies this week

Newly-made Officer of the Order of New Zealand Merit Carol Ngawati, left, with Govenor-General Dame Patsy Reddy. Photo/supplied

Several Bay people will be among those heading to Wellington this week for investiture ceremonies.

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne were scheduled to host six ceremonies in total at Government House, with the first held last night.

Former West Aucklander Carol Ngawati, now of Tauranga, was among the honourees.

She became an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to sport, education and Māori.

Today Tauranga's Carole Long will receive a Queen's Service Medal for services to conservation.

Timua Brennan, of Rotorua, will be made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music and Māori performing arts.

Meanwhile, film and television producer Ainsley Gardiner of Whakatane will become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to that industry.

On Wednesday Tauranga's Judy Simpson will be made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the prevention of domestic violence.

Senior Constable Phillip Taylor, of Rotorua, will also be made a member of the order for services to the New Zealand Police and the community.

Murupara's Maera Maki-Anderson and Katikati's Hatete Joe Manukau will each receive a Queen's Service Medal for their services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.