Venkat Raman –
Dr Daniel Muthumala, a Justice of the Peace based in Wellington was the only person of South East Asian origin found on the list of Honours declared on Queen’s Birthday, which New Zealand observed on June 1, 2015.
Among the many recognised this year were two officials of the New Zealand Police, a community of responsible people who risk their lives for our safety and security.
Dr Muthumala was recognised for his services to the Sri Lankan community.
According to a report, he plays a key role in finding the necessary resources and ensuring the success of Guitar and Voice Training classes run for young Sri Lankan children at the Tawa Community Centre.
“If not for him, there would not be a Sri Lankan Drumming Orchestra in Wellington. He has recently been shouldering responsibility for organising workshops and practices for a Sri Lankan drama production. He works tirelessly and with great enthusiasm and commitment for the Sri Lankan community,” a notification said.
Highest Honour
Sir Peter Gluckman, Chief Science Advisor to New Zealand Prime Minister, has been appointed to the Order of New Zealand, the country’s highest honour, limited to 20 living persons.
An internationally recognised biomedical and medical scientist, Sir Peter’s research has been wide-ranging, from hormonal control of growth before and after birth, neurological diseases and evolutionary medicine to the interface between human and pastoral animal biology.
The Companions
Businesswoman Bronwen Holdsworth, Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson and Sports Event Organiser Therese Walsh have been made Dames Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit, while former National Party Leader and Diplomat Jim McLay, former Maori Party Leader Dr Pita Sharples and businessman Peter Talley have been made Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The Officers
Black Caps Captain Brendon McCullum and Head Coach Mike Hesson have been made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket.
Louise Nicholas has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the prevention of sexual violence.
Dr Pita Sharples
Maori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said that Dr Pita Sharples has made an extraordinary contribution to Maori development over the last 50 years, from establishing this country’s first Maori language immersion primary school in Auckland (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi) to helping establish this country’s only indigenous political party in Parliament.
“The Maori Party was incredibly lucky to have a founding Co-Leader with his vision and utter belief in the power of Maori culture and knowledge to transform people’s lives. His long list of political achievements include establishing the ‘Maori Economic Taskforce,’ and writing the ‘Maori Economic Strategy: He Kai Kei Aku Ringa,’ which continues to guide the Crown in its support of the rapidly growing Maori economy,” he said.
New Zealand Police
Detective Superintendent Andrew Lovelock, Auckland, and Sergeant Rob Woodley, Counties Manukau, become Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said that he was very proud that the work and achievements of both officers in their specialist fields had been recognised.
Andrew Lovelock
Detective Superintendent Andrew Lovelock supervises all criminal investigations undertaken in Northland, Waitemata, Auckland City, Counties Manukau, Waikato and Bay of Plenty police districts.
Earlier, he was appointed an advisor to the Select Committee considering legislation to enact the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and played a leading role to ensure the Act’s implementation within police.
Detective Superintendent Lovelock has also led sensitive and high public interest cases, including last year’s review of the 1970 double homicide of Harvey and Jeanette Crewe.
Joining New Zealand Police in 1975, he became Chief of Police in Niue in 1999, influencing that country’s positive changes in policing practice, civil defence planning and prison management.
On his return, he worked as a Detective Inspector and Field Crime Manager for Auckland, and was seconded to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct from 2004 to 2006.
Rob Woodley
Sergeant Rob Woodley has earned the Queen’s honours for services to the New Zealand Police and youth.
He has devoted the past 14 of his 20 years in Police to growing the ‘Genesis Youth Trust’ New Zealand’s largest police affiliated youth development programme which works with the most at risk, disadvantaged and challenging young people.
Under his leadership, the Trust has grown from a staff of three to 23 in a mixed Police and Trust funded model and has expanded the Trust’s area of operations from Mangere into Manukau West, Auckland East and Papakura.
The Trust provides a seamless holistic service for youth offenders and their whanau involving youth workers, social workers and family counsellors.
With an annual case load of more than 200 young people, Genesis Youth Trust has achieved high levels of non-reoffending.
