Mr David Culham, QSM, Whangarei
For services to business and the community. Mr David Culham is a business leader who has provided employment and training opportunities for many Northlanders. He helped to create Apprenticeships at Work with Whangarei Boys’ High School and NorthTec, training more than 500 apprentices, and offering more than 500 work experience opportunities with Culham Engineering, one of the largest fabrication facilities in New Zealand. Culham Engineering is a sponsor of Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Inc, which provides practical training in waka construction, sailing, and traditional navigation. He was a Whangarei District Councillor for nine years, from 1989 to 1998 and Chaired the Commercial Enterprises Committee. Mr Culham was a trustee of Northpower Electric Trust for 17 years. He was a government appointee to the Northland Regional Development Council, Vice President of Whangarei District Aero Club, and the Vice President of Manaia Football Rugby Club. Mr Culham received the Northland Chamber of Commerce Enterprise Award in 1987 and the NorthTec Council’s Honorary Fellow Award in 2011.