Heather Aitken, of Reefton, QSM, for services to karate
Heather Aitken teaches karate at Reefton Karate Club on a voluntary basis, in addition to her work as a nurse at Reefton Hospital and involvement in running her family’s farm and gold-mining operation. As a Branch Chief of the Reefton Dojo, she holds the rank of 5th Dan Black Belt. She has helped sponsor children’s karate uniforms and travel costs to camps and tournaments, including an annual training camp in the Nelson area. She has attended overseas tournaments with Reefton Karate Club members. Mrs Aitken has served on the Boards of Trustees for Inangahua Junction School and Reefton Area School.