Message from our Chair: Firefighters recognised with King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours
By Rebecca Keoghan, Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair.
Please join me in congratulating these past and present firefighters for their recognition in the 2023 King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List released today:
- Derek Collier (Whitianga) – Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
- James Hazlett (Naseby) – Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
- Geoffrey (Geoff) Mayall (Kaikohe) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
- Neil Robbie (Foxton Beach) – Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
- Stephen Shaw (Cromwell) – Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and hockey
Our people are regularly honoured twice a year, at King’s Birthday and at New Year, when the King recognises citizens from Commonwealth countries for their exceptional service. You will notice that our people are still being awarded Queen’s Service Medals despite the recent coronation of King Charles. This is because the New Zealand government are yet to consider changes to the honours system.
Congratulations to Derek, James, Geoff, Neil and Stephen. Their exceptional dedication to their communities has not gone unnoticed. This is an incredible achievement, and all recipients should be proud of their hard work and commitment.
He kōtuku rerenga tahi. A white heron flies once.