Mary Sturgeon, Runanga, QSM
For services to the community. Mrs Sturgeon became the first woman registrar of the West Coast Justices of the Peace Association in 1985. She has given more than 25 years of voluntary service to the Greymouth and Westport Courts as a court convener, preparing court rosters and as a supervisor for all court-ordered summary instalment orders – a last step procedure to prevent bankruptcy and enable debts to be paid back in instalments. She was required to ensure regular payment instalments were made and to help people to manage their financial affairs if court orders were made against them. She has spent many hours presiding over court sittings and has also dealt with search warrant requests. Mrs Sturgeon continues to act as a JP and undertake judicial functions in Greymouth and Westport.