Robert Tapper
Robert Tapper, of Queenstown,received the Insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to aviation and tourism. Mr Tapper has contributed to the Queenstown region for more than 30 years. He is a co-founder of the Hollyford Valley Walk in Fiordland, the Walk New Zealand Marketing Group, Hollyfordair Travel and is the General Manager of Tourism Flightseeing. He is a past Director of Alpine Guides Mt Cook, the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, and Destination Queenstown. A fixed wing and helicopter pilot, Mr Tapper instigated mountain flying training programmes at the Southland Aero Club and was Chair of the Air Transport Division of the Aviation Industry Association. He is also involved with the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust, the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum Foundation and the Southern Regional Lions Air Ambulance Trust.