Press Release – Fire and Emergency NZ Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Paul Swain has congratulated past and present firefighters from Kaiwaka, Opotiki, Kaikohe, Westport and Ohakune who have been recognised with Queens Service Medals in the 2021 New Years Honours list …
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Paul Swain has congratulated past and present firefighters from Kaiwaka, Opotiki, Kaikohe, Westport and Ohakune who have been recognised with Queen’s Service Medals in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list released today.
“We are very proud to have such dedicated people offer their time and skills to serve both their communities and Fire and Emergency New Zealand,” said Mr Swain.
One-hundred-and-fifty-four people from a variety of sectors including education, sport, health, and science have been honoured.
Former Children’s Commissioner Professor Cindy Kiro says being recognised for services to child wellbeing and education shows the importance of the work she has done. She was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2021 New Year Honours, for her work improving outcomes for marginalised children. Kiro, who was born in Whangārei, Northland, and raised by her grandparents, who were manual labourers, said she was motivated by the enormous potential of children and young people.
National Hauora Coalition/Supplied
New Year Honours: Kaiwaka fire chief John Bowmar s community service rewarded
30 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Kaiwaka fire chief John Bowmar will receive a QSM for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Photo / John Stone
Imran Ali is a reporter for the Northern Advocateimran.ali@nzme.co.nznorthernadvocat
John Bowmar may be the first firefighter from Kaiwaka to receive the Queen s Service Medal but like many other recipients elsewhere over the years, the accolade belongs to the team in his brigade.
The 72-year-old omnipresence, not just in Kaiwaka but neighbouring towns, has led to great improvements in the areas of firefighting, road safety, and civil defence over many decades.