Arjan van der Boon has been named Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch equivalent of a knighthood.
Co-chairman of the Dutch Connection Museum Trust, Arjan van der Boon, was awarded a Dutch Royal decoration at the Big Dutch Day Out in Foxton on Saturday, April 28.
The decoration, Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, is the Dutch equivalent of a knighthood. It was presented to Mr van
der Boon by Rob Zaagman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in recognition of his work for the Dutch community, particularly as the co-chairman of the Dutch Connection Museum Trust.
Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen said the honour was a well-deserved acknowledgement of Mr van der Boon's energy and commitment in the development of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, which houses New Zealand's national Dutch museum, Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre.
"Dutch New Zealanders now have a place they can go to share and celebrate their stories, heritage and culture, and Mr van der Boon's dedication has played a key role in that," he said.
Mr van der Boon, who has chaired the Dutch Connection Museum Trust since its inception, began working to establish a national Dutch museum in New Zealand more than 12 years ago.