Civic Honours awards were presented to:
John Hewitson – Community Affairs. John serves his community quietly, with dedication, goodwill and without hesitation. He cares deeply about the community and the people within it.
John came to Waikawa Beach in about 1999 and was soon elected as chair of the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association, a role he has served in ever since. As chair, he has run the regular committee meetings and AGMs. John attends various meetings relevant to the community, such as the Manakau District Community Association AGMs, Waka Kotahi O2NL expressway meetings. He also represents the interests of Waikawa Beach residents at Horowhenua District Council consultations.
John readily responds to community members who approach him and spends time and effort to ensure that the appropriate people or organisations address these concerns or issues. He always lends a hand where there's a need.
Beyond the Waikawa Beach community, John has helped out extensively at the Levin Uniting Church, sorting out their electrical problems and serving free Sunday night dinners. He is always serving the community.
Barrie Buck – Community Affairs & Religious Affairs. Not only is Barrie a successful local businessman, leading a team of qualified electricians and apprentices, he has also recently retired after fourteen years as a Judicial Justice of the Peace (JP) for Levin. JPs provide an essential voluntary service in relieving the load on District Court Judges. Barrie was also the chair of Horowhenua JPs and is still a committee member. He will continue his role as an administrative JP as he has done for the past four years.
Barrie has been the property manager for St Mary's Anglican Parish, Levin, with three churches, halls and offices to maintain and supply. This position has been particularly challenging due to stricter earthquake regulations leading to St Mary's Church's forced demolition.
Barrie's long list of service to the community includes 30 years' service to the Levin Brass Band, where he is a past president and life member. Barrie coached secondary school hockey for many years, volunteered as an umpire and is a past chair of the Hockey Association. Barrie was a member of Levin's Promotional Council and a Rotarian. Of note is Barrie's staggering 55 years of service to the Masons Lodge, where voluntary work and service to the community is well known across the district.
David Roache – Community Affairs, Cultural Affairs, Education Services, Social Affairs/Services, Recreation and Sport, Religious Affairs. A stalwart across the wider Foxton Community, David has contributed personally or professionally over many years.
David has served an impressive 37 years in local government, commencing in 1985, serving five years with the Foxton Borough Council until amalgamation in 1989; a further 32 years on the Foxton Community Board, with three terms as the Kere Kere Ward representative. This has included two terms as chair of the Foxton Community Board.
David has been involved with community projects, including the seawall at Foxton Beach, Donnelly Skate Park, the new grandstand at Easton Park, lighting the water tower, and pushing for the development of the pump track at Foxton Beach. Initiating the Christmas tree installation in Foxton's Main Street, which began in 1975, firstly with the Foxton Lions Club, then the Foxton Tourist & Development Association, then with the Roache family continuing the tradition until 2018.
David was a trustee of the Foxton Flax Stripper museum, MAVtech and Manawatu College and served as the Bishop's Representative for Saint Mary's board of trustees. He served on the Foxton RSA as a committee member, vice president, and the last three years as president. David is the managing director of Roaches Concrete Products since 1979, employing many local people.