Christine de Jong and Mark de Jong, of Auckland
Christine de Jong and Mark de Jong, of Auckland, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to music. Mrs and Mr de Jong established Parachute Music in 1989 as a vehicle to involve young people in the development of contemporary Christian music. The Parachute Music Festival has expanded from a gathering of 1,200 people at a small Waikanae venue to an event at Mystery Creek in Hamilton that regularly attracts more than 25,000 people. The Festival has helped foster the careers of a number of popular musicians. It works in partnership with World Vision and has achieved sponsorship for more than 5,000 children. Other organisations are supported by the Parachute Music Festival, including the New Zealand Women’s Refuge.