Wing Commander John Bates, of Taupo
Wing Commander John Bates received the Queen's Service Medal for services to search and rescue. Wing Commander Bates has played a major role in the Lake Taupo Volunteer Coast Guard and the Taupo Search and Rescue Service for many years. Since 1998 he has served as both Vice President and President of the Lake Taupo Volunteer Coast Guard, and has made it an efficient and cohesive service that has saved many lives. Under his guidance, a specialised rescue vessel was constructed, along with a training centre. In 2003 he led a small group of fellow-volunteers to complete the training required by the Maritime Safety Authority to become professional skippers. He is on call for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and also manages to dedicate many hours a week to his work as a Justice of the Peace. Wing Commander Bates was part of a crew that went to Banda Aceh, Sumatra, to assist with victim relief after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.