Rick Cooper
Several people have been acknowledged in our region for their great work in the community by getting a Queen's Birthday Honour. Reporters Katee Shanks and Laurilee McMichael caught up with those on the list.
Rick Cooper, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Rick Cooper says while he is honoured to be named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the recognition is not something he sought or wanted.
"I love the district and am proud to have done my bit."
Mr Cooper served as mayor of Taupo District Council for two terms. He helped establish the Safer Community Trust and oversaw the introduction of crime-prevention CCTV.
He served as Taupo Airport Authority chairman and as a Trustee of the Waipahihi C75 Reserves Trust. He has been a member of the council's audit and risk committee and the Waikato Region Civil Defence emergency management group, a member of the Mangakino Pouakani representative group, the Lake Taupo Protection Project joint committee and the 2011 Rugby World Cup host co-ordination committee.
He has been involved in local businesses and has actively supported community organisations. Mr Cooper was a strong supporter of the 2012 launch of the anti-violence White Ribbon campaign in Taupo.
He says his role these days as managing director of a national car import and distribution business has given him little time to miss the mayoral job.
Mike Barton, Queen's Service Medal
When Mike Barton and wife Sharon swapped careers in tertiary education for a farm with a nitrogen cap that severely limited their options, Mr Barton knew they were in for a challenge.
What he never dreamed of, however, was that a decade later, their efforts to preserve the environment, protect Lake Taupo and farm successfully would earn Mr Barton a Queen's Service Medal for services to farming and the environment.
The last 10 years have seen the couple set up a successful beef farming operation based on sound environmental practice along with the innovative Taupo Beef marketing campaign.
Mr Barton was a member of the Taupo Lake Care committee set up when the regional council was developing strategies to protect Lake Taupo, serving as chairman for four years.
The couple's farm has been the subject of an AgResearch trial to reduce nitrogen emissions.
Mr Barton is a trustee of the Lake Taupo Protection Trust and a serving board member. He has also presented nationally and internationally on farming successfully with nitrogen limits.
Tony Israel, Queen's Service Medal
There's no way of counting the hours that Tony Israel has put into being a Justice of the Peace.
But with 37 years of the voluntary role under his belt, including 35 of those on the District Court Bench and service at regional and national level, it's safe to assume it's thousands.
But Mr Israel, a retired farmer and pilot, said it was just his way of giving back.
Mr Israel is to be honoured with a Queen's Service Medal for services as a Justice of the Peace. He was President of Rotorua Justices of the Peace and the President of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Association. He has served as Court Justice in Taupo, a Visiting Justice and was a training officer. As well, Mr Israel was an honorary DoC fisheries ranger and a member of Taupo Lake Search and Rescue. He has had a distinguished flying career and is a life member of the Rotorua and Taupo aero clubs.
Mr Israel is still a Justice of the Peace and a marriage celebrant, although he stepped down from the bench six months ago. He says although the honour was a nice surprise, it is also a measure of recognition for all the work done by all 8000 Justices of the Peace.
Jennifer Mayer, Queen's Service Medal
Jennifer Mayer is passionate about the benefits Girl Guiding brings to girls and young women. So it's fitting that she will receive a Queen's Service Medal for services to Girl Guiding and the community.
Mrs Mayer, who as a child was a Brownie and a Guide, became involved again as an adult Brownie leader, and over 30 years that involvement grew. She became the Waiariki regional leader, a trainer and was appointed to the board of Girl Guiding New Zealand, where she was its international adviser and assistant chief commissioner. These days, she runs tours targeted at international former Girl Guides, and helps with other projects. Her current mission is to raise funds to help the Girl Guiding national office recover from the Christchurch earthquake.
Mrs Mayer owns a women's fashion business and has been an officeholder and fundraiser for Taupo Netball Association, Taupo Plunket, the Breast Cancer and Heart Foundations, Red Cross and the Taupo Anglican Church. "All my life I seem to have been raising funds for something but you never do these things alone ever, you always have a team of people around you."
Tony Sharp, Queen's Service Medal
Toni Sharp says being sight-impaired can mean people, particularly older people, become socially isolated - and that's something she wants to prevent.
She's worked tirelessly to understand the needs of people who are blind or have low vision and her Queen's Service Medal is for 15 years of service to the visually impaired.
Mrs Sharp, 45, who is totally blind, has been involved with the Taupo branch of the Blind Foundation, serving on its community committee, the client services committee and as secretary. She is currently the chairwoman, a role she has held for 13 years.
One of the committee's key functions is to provide a social outlet and outings for the 88 local members to ensure they have contact and support with other sight-impaired people to boost their self-esteem and confidence.
Mrs Sharp often speaks to service groups and schools, and joined Toastmasters 12 years ago. She is division governor of Toastmasters and has just been appointed national secretary for Toastmasters New Zealand.
Don Shanks, Queen's Service Medal
Don Shanks had 40 years as a volunteer fireman so it's no surprise he has been included in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the New Zealand Fire Service. He is to be awarded the Queen's Service Medal.
Mr Shanks established the Mangatangi Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1972, serving as chief fire officer until retiring in 2012. He led the brigade's volunteer first response team, who are trained to provide medical aid, fire protection and perform road crash rescues. Having witnessed a high accident rate on SH2 between Mangatawhiri and Maramarua, Mr Shanks advocated for greater road safety in the area. His efforts resulted in transport authorities introducing speed reductions, advertising and road layout changes to greatly reduce accidents.
He said while there were times he missed the brigade, the time was right for him to step aside: "I'd already made a commitment to move to Whakatane and I was happy with what I had accomplished. We started with nothing and did pretty well over four decades."
Alan Spence, Queen's Service Medal
Whakatane's Alan Spence is a third-generation cornet player who extends his love of brass bands to include a family quartet with his wife and two of his four sons.
Mr Spence, who has conducted and led the Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass Band for more than 20 years, is to receive the Queen's Service Medal for services to brass bands.
Under Mr Spence's leadership, the Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass Band has risen from D Grade to the B Grade and, in 2012, were the New Zealand National B Grade Champions.
He was appointed the Musical Director of National Secondary Schools Brass Band in 2012 and 2013, has been Head of Music at Trident High School for 15 years and often volunteers his time outside school hours.
"I am honoured to receive this award as an acknowledgement of the wonderful and unique movement of brass banding, both locally, nationally and throughout the world," Mr Spence said.
Bruce True, Queen's Service Medal
Bruce True arrived in Opotiki in 1944 to help with the re-build of the Opotiki bacon factory - and he hasn't left since. Today he is awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
"My uncle and I went to Opotiki from Feilding and I fell in love with the town and the climate," Mr True said. "Feilding was a pretty cold place."
He said he has always been community-inclined but admitted many of the organisations he joined had been with mates.
"I feel like I should be thanking them for this honour also."
Mr True has been a member of the Lions Club of Opotiki and Lions Clubs International for 30 years, and is a former President of the Opotiki Lions Club. He has been involved with many club projects, including the building of the Opotiki Life Saving Club rooms, upgrading the rose gardens, and building the Opotiki Senior Citizens Club rooms.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Blokes' Shed at Peria House Rest Home, where men with Alzheimer's make wooden objects for organisations and schools. He co-ordinates the Blokes' Shed day programme.
Glenn Smith, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Longevity within an industry is easy if you remain passionate, according to Whakatane's Glenn Smith.
Mr Smith is to become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a broadcaster. With 33 years at the helm of Radio Bay of Plenty Ltd, a company that owns and operates 1XX and Bayrock, and involvement in an industry that dates back to student radio, Mr Smith said his passion has never wavered.
"And to be nominated for a Queen's Birthday Honour is a privilege," Mr Smith said. "To think someone has taken the time to research what I've done and fill in the forms is inspiring."
Mr Smith has just been elected to the executive of the New Zealand Broadcasting Association.
He was instrumental in bringing FM radio to New Zealand in 1982, and has assisted in the formation of other stations and helped them gain a licence to broadcast. He has also provided support to non-profit organisations in the Eastern Bay.
Graham Smith, Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Distinguished Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith has been closely involved in language revitalisation through the Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Maori educational developments.
His academic work has concentrated on theorising the transforming potential of these initiatives and his efforts have seen him become a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Professor Smith has held appointments as Professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor Maori at the University of Auckland. He was a co-founder and director of the Woolf-Fisher Research Centre, and a co-founder of the national Centre for Maori Development and Advancement of Research Excellence.
He served on the University of Auckland Council and was the foundation chairman of the Council for Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, helping with its establishment in the 1990s. He is currently chief executive officer of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.