John Banks CNZM
John Banks, of Auckland, received the Insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs. Mr Banks served two terms as Mayor of Auckland, from 2001 to 2004 and from 2007 to 2010. As Mayor he focused on the improvement of law and order, and on job creation and economic development opportunities. He supported the amalgamation of the Auckland region’s local authorities into one ‘supercity’. He was also Member of Parliament for Whangarei for 18 years from 1981 to 1999, during which time he was Minister of Police, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Local Government. He was a talkback radio host for many years on Radio Pacific.