New years honours: Peter Jensen

A veteran local body politician and member of various community boards in Whangarei has been recognised for his years of service to the public.

Former Northland Regional Council deputy chairman and councillor of the then Whangarei City, Peter Jensen, 79, has accepted an invitation from Government House to be made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The long-time garment retailer and local government politician is delighted at the award and acknowledged a number of "wonderful" people he'd worked with over many years.

"The 45 years as a retailer gave me an opportunity to learn a lot and later the regional council had been a very worthwhile organisation to be a part of."

Mr Jensen paid tribute to Northlanders who he said were tremendous at what they attempted and he was glad of the opportunity to work with some remarkable people.

He said it was hard to pinpoint what specific task had given him the greatest satisfaction during the 60 years he had lived in Whangarei.

Mr Jensen has been involved in the Whangarei Central Baptist Church at both governance and pastoral levels.

He was the founding trustee and chairman of the board of directors for Arataki Ministries - the ministry's mental health provider in the district.

He was a city councillor from 1980 to 1983, and a regional councillor from 1992 to 2010, including a stint as the deputy chairman from 1998 to 2008.

Mr Jensen was also a member of the Northland District Health Board from 2001 to 2010, and deputy chairman from 2001 to 2003.

He's still a member of the NDHB's disability reference and the new building's programme committees.