Norm Withers

Norm Withers, Christchurch, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.  He has been active in sports, in particular soccer, cricket, and boxing.  He has been an accredited judge for New Zealand Boxing for more than 20 years and was a New Zealand Team Manager in 1984 and 1985.  He was a voluntary ringside announcer and reporter for local media on boxing.  He was a player and administrator with cricket and soccer and is a member of the board of the Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust.  For more than 25 years, he has been involved in fundraising for young sports people, sports clubs, and those with disabilities or in ill-health.  He also supported the New Zealand Rugby Paraplegic Team to attend World Championship tournaments.  Mr Withers advocated for a referendum on the justice system in 1999.  He has been a member of the Christchurch City Council since 2001 and is the deputy mayor.