James Morris, Omarama, QSM, for services to the community
Mr James Morris has raised more than $100,000 for charity, in particular for the Cancer Society and Age Concern, through selling books and CDs of his popular poems, and by donating the proceeds from speaking engagements. He is a committed conservationist and advocate for the South Island High Country. He was one of the first farmers to understand the tenure review process and has helped others with their tenure reviews. He has initiated the High Country Carbon Project, which compares total carbon sequestration between retired and grazed land. Mr Morris has recently been teaching, in a voluntary capacity, outdoor and work skills to pupils from Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka.