Peter (Pete) Housiaux’s Queen’s Service Medal is for services to surf lifesaving and canoe polo, but his contribution to the Ōtaki community – where he was born and raised – is what he is best known for locally. He and wife Ann-Marie have been generous with their time and resources, often with sponsorships through their Concrete... Keep Reading

Dianne (Di) Buchan QSM is best known in Ōtaki for her work to save the historic rotunda at the old children’s health camp, and her book about the camp called Sun, Sea and Sustenance. She founded and chairs the Friends of the Ōtaki Rotunda, and for seven years was a trustee of the Ōtaki Museum. Until recently she wrote a regular... Keep Reading

Many communities have people who quietly go about the business of looking after people. Ōtaki has Rodney (Rod) Graham, who received a Queen’s Service Medal in the King’s Birthday honours. Rod has made two significant contributions to Ōtaki. He is chair of the Cobwebs Community Trust, and past-president of the Ōtaki Pottery Club. His... Keep Reading

Jack Rikihana, who was born and raised in Ōtaki, has been honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori, health governance and the community. Jack (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) remembers the area on Mill Road known as Rikiville, and although having lived elsewhere... Keep Reading

Dr Susan Margaret (Huhana) Smith is now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the environment. Huhana lives on the land of her forebears at Kuku, just north of Ōtaki, where she grows olives with her partner, Richard Anderson. It’s deep within her Ngāti Tukorehe iwi, and to where can she can retreat from the rigours of... Keep Reading