Beverley McConnell, of Howick
Beverley McConnell received the Queen's Service Medal for services to horticulture. Mrs McConnell has made a significant contribution to horticulture and landscape design for more than 40 years. She is the creator of Ayrlies, an internationally recognised country garden in Whitford, which is featured in various international publications. In 1991 she initiated the Trinity Garden Festival that raised more than $1 million towards the building of Auckland's Anglican Cathedral, and remains Patron of this event. In 2004, she assisted the Tourism Board with the planning and development of the Gold Award winning 'From Darkness to Light' exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, and has been a judge of the Ellerslie Flower Show. Mrs McConnell was made an Associate of Honour of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture in 1998.