Thomas Johnson
Thomas (Tom) Johnson, of Napier, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby. Mr Johnson played 84 rugby union matches for Hawke’s Bay from 1959 to1968, including 50 as captain, and coached the team in 1969. He has served as a New Zealand Rugby Union councillor for 12 years, and as Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union. He is President of the Hawke’s Bay Saracens Club for post-representative rugby players, and was the founder of ‘Golden Oldies’ rugby which culminated in biennial international tournaments.