ONZM
David Perez
Dunedin
Services to oncology
He has long proved influential in the fight against cancer in Otago and Southland, including through cancer treatment, medical education and helping mobilise community action.
A former national president of the Cancer Society (2001-02) and president of the New Zealand Society for Oncology, he was appointed as an oncologist at Dunedin Hospital in 1984.
From a work conference in Chicago, Prof Perez said his Queen's Birthday honour was a great surprise and he was delighted.
''It has been a privilege serving patients with cancer and their families. The challenges are many but the rewards are great thanks to the spirit shown by patients.''
Prof Perez was the first medical oncologist in the area and has said the number of cancer treatments available had ''exploded'' in recent years.
Many of the new treatments were easier for patients to tolerate and there was ''more focus on looking after people, as well as the disease'', he said.
He played an influential role in developing chemotherapy treatment at Southland Hospital, in Invercargill, and later also helped establish the Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa charity in 2010.
Prof Perez was a member of the Otago-Southland Cancer Society's board from 1985 to 1999, and president from 1990 to 1999.
He was appointed associate dean of medical education at the University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine in 2002 and later as programme director of the university's Early Learning in Medicine Programme.
He served as a member of the national committee for physician training and chaired a specialist committee for medical oncology training for the Australasian College of Physicians.
He held a voluntary clinical appointment at the Otago Community Hospice (1994-99), also serving as chairman (2006-08) and was a member of the hospice trust board.
The Otago District Health Board has named a new oncology seminar room after him - the first time the board had named an area after a serving clinician. His research interests include cancer drug clinical trials, application of molecular biology to clinical management, quality of life issues in cancer care and medical education.
Palmerston North
Services to pharmaceutical profession
A pharmacy educator for about 50 years, former Dunedin resident Gael Donoghue believes her honour reflects not only her own achievements, but also provides ''great recognition'' of the wider pharmaceutical profession.
''That's quite important to me, because the pharmacy profession has been a major part of my life,'' she said.
The community pharmacist was often a patient's first link with the overall healthcare system and played a key role, including by providing information and advice, she said.
Mrs Donoghue (74), who now lives in Palmerston North, said she had always enjoyed the ''great mix'' of practising as a pharmacist and undertaking pharmacy-related education.
She initially tutored pharmacy students in the greater Wellington area in the 1960s and later, during some of her time in Dunedin, she also lectured part-time at the University of Otago School of Pharmacy.
Also a former National Party candidate in Dunedin North, she served as president of the Otago-Southland branch of the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Society.
She became a Fellow of the society in 1998 and in 2010 was honoured as the society's first life member.
And, more recently, she has served as a ministerial appointee on the Ministry of Health's central regional ethics committee since 2010.
Born in Wellington, she had tried to follow throughout her pharmacy education work the motto of her former school, Wellington Girls College, to ''Take the light and hand it on''.
She had shifted to Dunedin in 1966 after her husband, Dr Alan Donoghue, had decided to train as a doctor. He later became a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Apart from three years spent away - two in London and one in Ranfurly - during her husband's medical specialist training and later medical work, she had lived in Dunedin, until shifting to Wanganui in 1992 and later to Palmerston North.
MNZM
Timaru
Services to health and transport industry
Born and raised Timaru, resident Joe Butterfield (73) was recognised for his work in health and transport and has no plans to slow down.
Mr Butterfield was appointed the Southern District Health Board chairman in 2010.
He was the South Canterbury District Health Board chairman between 2000 and 2009 and was the Health South Canterbury chairman between 1996 and 2000.
Mr Butterfield served on the Ministry of Health national capital committee and District Health Boards New Zealand.
He was also a partner of Footes Ltd Chartered Accountants.
''I was a partner in Footes Ltd and its predecessors from 1963 until three years ago,'' he said.
He continued to consult for the accountancy firm.
He was the finance committee chairman of the Timaru High School Board from 1983 to 1990.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Zealand and the New Zealand Institute of Directors and is a chartered member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport.
He had held directorships in Intercity Holdings Ltd, Ritchies, the Port of Timaru and the South Canterbury Regional Development Board.
He was still ''heavily involved'' in transport and was chairman of Intercity Holdings Ltd and chairman of the board of Ritchies, he said.
Mr Butterfield is a life member of Yachting New Zealand and served as its president from 1992 to 1995 and as its representative on the international body's council from 1994 to 2008.
He was surprised when he was told that ''part of a lifetime of work'' in health and transport would be recognised, he said.
''It is very nice to get recognised and to have the honour bestowed but I'd be very surprised if it makes any difference to my life.''
He had no plans to retire from his enjoyable work, he said.
''I wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't enjoying it.''
Timaru
Services to community
''Humbled,'' was how Graeme Nind, of Timaru, described being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Mr Nind (72) was also surprised at being nominated when he was contacted about the award: ''I didn't think I was up to that.''
However, the award recognises a variety of services to the community, including 23 years with the Automobile Association in South Canterbury that also led to national involvement in motoring issues.
He first served on the South Canterbury AA district board in 1980 and is still a member. He has been president and then chairman.
He was involved in the restructuring of the AA, which saw 20 provincial associations amalgamated into the Automobile Association of New Zealand in 1991.
Appointed to the New Zealand board, from 2003 he was national president and chairman until 2005, and from 2004 also on the board of the association's Drivers' Education Foundation.
Another area of major involvement was in health. From 1982 to 1991 he held senior executive management positions with the South Canterbury Hospital Board and Canterbury Area Health Board.
From 1996 to 2003, he was an administrative surveyor for the New Zealand Council of Healthcare Standards and was appointed to the Community and Public Health Advisory Committee for South Canterbury, serving until 2010.
He was appointed the Timaru community representative for the Aoraki Primary Health Organisation in 2005.
As chief executive of Presbyterian Support South Canterbury from 1991 to 2003, he also served on the Presbyterian Insurance Group New Zealand, the last 10 years as chairman.
He is a working member of Landcare New Zealand and from 2002 to 2009 was chairman of the South Canterbury SPCA and, since then, its deputy chairman.
Te Anau
Services to fishing industry
John Steffens is humble about becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, choosing to give credit for the honour to others.
A commercial fisherman in Fiordland, Mr Steffens has been active in various fishing industry organisations, including the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board and the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.
He is a past president of the Fiordland Fishermen's Association, past vice-president of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen and past member of the New Zealand Rock Lobster Management Group.
He is chairman of the CRA8 management committee and Otago Rock Lobster Association, and has led CRA8 fisheries to a unique level of excellence in quota management.
He established the Guardians of Fiordland as a new form of mixed-purpose marine management, and was a driving force behind the formation of the first two Fiordland marine reserves - Milford Sound and The Gut (Te Awaatu Channel).
Mr Steffens has been a member of the Te Anau Community Board, Progress Southland and a board member of Venture Southland.
He is also a director of Fiordland Lobster Co Ltd, a pastor in the Te Anau New Life Church, and supports the Te Anau Youth Worker Trust.
''I feel pretty blown away by this honour. Like everyone else who gets one of these, I'm pretty surprised. It's pretty humbling.
''I have to acknowledge some of the people I've worked with. It's definitely not an honour I've won on my own.
''It's recognition of all those people who have supported me along the way.''
QSM
Bluff
Services to community.
When Astrid Brocklehurst learnt she had been awarded a QSM, the surprise was such that she vowed to find out who had nominated her.
''If I find out who nominated me without my knowledge, there will be a serious discussion.''
Despite her reaction, she was ''absolutely delighted'' with the honour.
''It never ever occurred to me that I would be worthy of such an honour.
''I do this because I enjoy it, because I like supporting my community.
''I've lived here all my life and I only want to see my community prosper.''
Mrs Brocklehurst has contributed to the Bluff community for more than 30 years. Twenty-eight of those have been spent working for St John in which she has held positions as driver, medic, committee member, and she has been the area chairwoman since 2004.
A member of the RSA for the past 25 years, Mrs Brocklehurst is the chairwoman of the Bluff RSA Women's Committee, and was awarded a long-service medal in 2005 and life membership in 2010.
She was also an elected member of the Bluff Community Board between 1992 and 2010, where she contributed to community projects such as walkways, a viewing platform on Bluff Hill, a skateboard park, the establishment of student bursaries, and improvements to pensioner flats.
She is secretary of the Bluff Community Charitable Trust, a member of the Bluff Community Medical Trust, and secretary of Bluff Promotions.
Dunedin
Services to athletics
Ron Cain has been active in athletics as a successful competitor, administrator and competitor for the past 68 years.
The QSM gives public recognition to Mr Cain for the hard work he has put into the sport.
''I don't look for accolades but if they come, it's lovely,'' he said. ''I just do my job as I've always done.
''It's the people in the Caversham Harriers and Athletics Otago over the years who have helped me do what I wanted to do.''
Mr Cain is a past president of the Caversham club, Athletics Otago and Athletics New Zealand. He is a life member of all three.
He was an elite runner in the 1950s and was a member of five Otago cross-country teams that won the national senior teams title. His best individual performance was to finish runner-up to Kerry Williams in 1955.
Mr Cain (81) was a New Zealand cross-country selector from 1977 to 1992 and chairman of the committee for 11 years. He managed three New Zealand teams to international events, the highlight being the world cross-country in Spain in 1981.
He has been meeting manager at the Caledonian Ground since 1980 and this has included three New Zealand championships.
His eldest daughter, Philippa, is attending a wedding in the United States and will not be able to join in the family celebrations today.
But his daughter Christina and son Gregory will join in the family excitment. His wife Betty expects some visitors to the family home at Fairfield and has prepared some sweet cakes.
Mr Cain has a positive philosophy for life.
''Life is fun. Put a smile on your face and enjoy everything you do,'' he said. Last year, Mr Cain received a certificate of gratitude and recognition from the International Association of Athletics Federations to mark its centenary.
''But this is the icing on the cake,'' he said.
''I'm excited about it. It's great for athletics in Otago.''
Fairlie
Services to pipe bands and community
John Campbell was a ''a bit overwhelmed and a bit shocked'' when he learnt he had been nominated for the Queen's Service Medal.
''I never expected anything like that. I didn't quite know how to take it,'' he said.
The first thing Mr Campbell (73) knew about it was the letter telling him he had been nominated and asking if he would accept.
When it arrived, he thought it ''looked pretty interesting'', coming from Government House.
The award was as much for the people he had served with, as himself.
''They work with me, I work with them,'' he said.
Mr Campbell has been involved with pipe bands since he was a Timaru Boys' High School pupil, following in the footsteps of his father.
His highlight was being made a Queen's Piper when Queen Elizabeth II visited Timaru in 1977.
Joining the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band after leaving school, he was pipe major from 1994 and still teaches bagpiping at Mackenzie College, something he introduced to revive band numbers and which has been successful.
Just two weeks ago, he stood down as pipe major, feeling it was time to introduce new blood and new ideas, but continues to play the pipes.
He has done that for weddings, functions and church services and also plays the church organ as an active member of the Mackenzie Co-operating Parish and serves on the parish council.
Mr Campbell was a Mackenzie district councillor from 1989 to 1998, is a life member of the Mackenzie Agricultural and Pastoral Association and served as president.
He has served on the South Canterbury Federated Farmers' branch committee and represented it on the Aoraki Polytechnic Council from 2008 to 2010.
Dunedin
Services as a reporter
After 45 years of recording and presenting news, John McDermott is happy to sit back and watch it.
The 66-year-old retired in 2011 as one of New Zealand's longest-serving television reporters, having worked almost half a century for Television New Zealand (TVNZ), mostly in Dunedin.
''I love being retired. Last Tuesday was one of the sweetest days of my life because it snowed and I was able to watch it gently coming down without having to think about getting out there and covering it.''
Speaking from Australia's Gold Coast, where he was attending a nephew's wedding, Mr McDermott said his Queen's Birthday honour was ''totally out of the blue''.
''It absolutely astonishes me, to be honest, but obviously, I'm very delighted.''
It was the highest honour he had received ''by a long way''.
''It's a lovely way to end my career.''
Mr McDermott has written and produced more than 3000 news items, including coverage of such high-profile events as the David Bain case between 1994 and 2010, the Aramoana shootings and the trial of Clayton Weatherston for the murder of Sophie Elliott.
He has mentored many news reporters and presenters, and received many TVNZ reporting awards.
In the early 1980s, Mr McDermott was the regional editor of TVNZ news in Christchurch, before returning to Dunedin as editor of The South Tonight.
During the 20 years that followed, he reported on all major news events in Otago and Southland, and was regarded for his accurate, fair and balanced journalistic style.
''To be honest, I don't think I ever did anything special as a journalist except turn up for work every day for 45 years. That's what was different - I had a very long career in an industry where short careers are the norm.''
He will never forget the tragedies he covered, nor the pain suffered by those involved.
But for every ''bad news'' story, there was at least one positive ''couldn't be better'' story.
Tuatapere
Services to community
Helen McKay was speechless and overwhelmed when she learnt of her Queen's Service Medal honour.
''I never dreamed of this. I did what I did out of passion,'' she said.
For the past 55 years, she has contributed to the Tautapere community as a teacher of Highland dancing, organising dancing displays for community events, holding annual Highland dancing competitions in Tuatapere, and helping with the Waimatuku Pipe Band's annual fundraising concert in Invercargill.
She was chairwoman of the Tuatapere Resource Centre committee and is a member of the Western Southland Integrated Rural Development committee.
She assisted in establishing a Tuatapere Information Centre and the Bushman's Museum and was co-ordinator of both organisations from 1985 to 2005.
She also opened the Yesteryears Cafe, a cafe with historic furniture and fittings, as a tourist attraction for Tuatapere.
She has been a Hump Ridge Track volunteer since 1985, and has been involved in organising and volunteering at community events such as market days and community concerts and is a member of the Tuatapere New Year's Day Sports committee.
She has also been secretary of both the Tuatapere Primary School committee and the Waiau College management committee.
''Because I had two very good teachers who inspired me, this is my way of giving back to the community.
''Your effort in is your reward out. I live by that principle. It seems to work for me,'' she said.
Queenstown
Services to tourism and children's health
Kaye Parker, who was not able to be contacted, is chief executive of the Queenstown Trails Trust and former chief executive of the Cure Kids charity.
Mrs Parker became chief executive of the Wakatipu Trails Trust, now Queenstown Trails Trust, in 2009 and by 2010 it was the Wakatipu area's most financially successful community body.
The trail, which is more than 110km long and part of the New Zealand Great Rides national cycleway, was opened in October by Prime Minister John Key.
Before taking up the head role at the trails trust, Mrs Parker served as chief executive of Cure Kids, a charity which has raised funds of more than $21 million for research to find cures for life-threatening illnesses affecting children.
Wendonside
Services to fashion
Heather Paterson (59), a name well-known in the fashion industry, said her honour was ''quite a shock, really'' and she was very excited.
She has run the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards in Gore since 1998.
A self-taught fashion designer, she has won several awards for her early designs at the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards in 1989 and 1990 before becoming a judge for the 1996 and 1997 awards.
The following year she took over the running of the event, and has seen it flourish.
Mrs Paterson said the honour was ''fantastic timing'', with the awards celebrating 25 years.
The awards are open to people of all ages and give amateur designers the opportunity to be judged by top fashion experts. Many go on to have successful careers in the fashion industry.
Money from tickets and auctions of designer clothing has been given to help fund breast cancer research.
''I love the thrill of having these awards where people can showcase their designs.''
Mrs Paterson said she has always been interested in the industry.
Her mother worked for a tailor, and Mrs Paterson started sewing from an early age.
She continues to judge fashion competitions in Southland and Otago, and is a member of the Southern Institute of Technology fashion advisory committee.
Mrs Paterson has also been involved with the New Zealand Country Music Awards, the Hokonui Auto Muster, and the Southern Odyssey Arts and Heritage Trail.
Dunedin
Services to community
Long-serving school board of trustees chairwoman Jane Wilson, of Dunedin, has been honoured with the Queen's Service Medal for her community service and work in school governance roles.
Mrs Wilson served for 18 years on Dunedin school boards of trustees, from 1992 to 2010.
''It was a very big surprise. It's very humbling,'' she said last night. ''Volunteering is something I've always done, because I'm part of the community and being involved in the community is extremely important to me.
''I want to make a difference, if I can, and if I have some skills that can benefit the community.''
Mrs Wilson was chairwoman and a member of the Wakari Primary School and John McGlashan College boards of trustees and deputy chairwoman and governance trainer of the Otago Region School Trustees Association.
She began volunteer work in the 1970s, when she served on the Dunedin Youthline executive. She also served as president and board member of the Dunedin YWCA and Community Childcare Association and on the Otago Canine Training Club executive.
She has helped people with learning difficulties, through her involvement with Speld Dunedin, and the Dunedin Parents Centre.
Mrs Wilson also served as president of the Otago Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand and has been a strong supporter of the City of Dunedin and John McGlashan College pipe bands.
