Mr Aaron Nicholson, of Wanaka, MNZM for services to the New Zealand Police and Search and Rescue
Aaron Nicholson was employed with the New Zealand Police and served as Officer in Charge and Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator in Wanaka, servicing Mt Aspiring National Park. During his tenure, Mr Nicholson managed more than 600 SAR operations. He has volunteered with Wanaka SAR since his retirement from Police, including time as Chair. Under his leadership, Wanaka SAR raised around $4 million and created specialist integrated teams for alpine/cliff rescue, swift/water canyon rescue, sub-alpine/bush and an incident management team. He is a New Zealand Land SAR Incident Management Tutor, delivering training nationally. Mr Nicholson helped found the Southern Alps Rescue Trust and remains a Trustee.