Laurie Duckworth
Laurie Duckworth, of Blenheim, received the Insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori and the community. Since being awarded The Queen’s Service Medal in 1986, Mr Duckworth has continued to be involved with Maori and the community in the Marlborough District. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ngati Apa ki Waipounamu Trust, where he created three oral history resource videos. He was the co-ordinator of the Ngati Apa Waitangi Tribunal claims, for which he voluntarily carried out research, personally funded the legal expenses for the court hearings, and spearheaded the success of the iwi claim. He was instrumental in acquiring scallop fishing quotas for Ngati Apa. He chaired the Omaka Marae Trust until 2006, during this time he oversaw the establishment of an early childhood centre and a Maori health unit. Mr Duckworth was a founding trustee for the Marlborough Theatre Trust, was active in the Marlborough Arts Council, the Good Samaritan Society, and is a life member of the Marlborough Historical Society.