Robin Judkins

Robin Judkins, of Christchurch, received the Insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports administration.  Mr Judkins established the Alpine Ironman and the Coast to Coast race.  The Coast to Coast is a 243km endurance race that traverses the South Island of New Zealand from Kumara Beach to Sumner Beach and was first run in 1983.  The event has won many awards, including the 1990 New Zealand Tourism Award for Best Special Event and the 2006 Champion Host.  Mr Judkins is also an inspirational speaker at secondary schools in the greater Christchurch area and was involved with the SPARC workshop lobby group addressing issues facing the events industry.  He established a conservation programme in the Arthur's Pass National Park which has contributed to the survival of the endangered Blue Duck and won the Canterbury Conservation Board Award in 2007.  He has received many awards, including the Canterbury Sports Personality of the Year in 1993 and received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the New Zealand Events Industry in 1994.