Ross Aitken, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to conservation
Mr Aitken is Chairperson of the Auckland Conservation Board. He has led the Board’s work on the Conservation Management Strategy for Auckland, promoted Sea Change and water quality issues, raised public awareness of Kauri Dieback disease and biosecurity in the Hauraki Gulf islands, overseen the establishment of the Aotea Conservation Committee, and supported the new community advisory board. He helped prepare the Conservation management plan for Te Hauturu-o-Toi. He has been involved with the Hauturu/Little Barrier Island Supporters Trust, the Forest and Bird Mid Northern branch, and conservation and community initiatives in and around the Mahurangi Harbour. He is a Department of Conservation accredited supervisor for groups visiting Hauturu/Little Barrier.