John Clarke

John Clarke, of Gisborne, received the Insignia of a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services to local body affairs and the community.  Mr Clarke, pictured with Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand after the ceremony, has served the Gisborne community in a number of local government roles for more than 20 years.  He served as Chairman of the Waikaho County Council, chaired the transition committee that merged seven authorities into the Gisborne District Council, and was the new Council’s first Mayor from 1989 to 2001.  He was also a member of the East Coast United Council, the Gisborne District Roads Council, and was chairman of the local Consultative Committee for the East Coast Forestry Project.  He was Chair of the Establishment Committee of the Tairawhiti Area Health Board and is also involved with many local companies, including Port Gisborne Ltd.  He was the Gisborne District Recovery Manager for Civil Defence and led the recovery from flooding in 2005 and the earthquake in 2007.