Ms Marie Baker, of Whanganui, ONZM for services to lifesaving and swimming
Marie Baker has been involved with New Zealand Lifesaving for more than 55 years and has taught swimming throughout New Zealand for more than 25 years. She was President of the Royal Life Saving Society’s Whanganui Branch and is currently President of Royal Life Saving Society New Zealand (RLSSNZ). After the destruction of the RLSSNZ’s national headquarters in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, she undertook the challenge of rebuilding the Society, forming a new Board of experienced personnel. She has led RLSSNZ’s partnerships with Swimming New Zealand, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, and Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ). As the Society’s delegate to WSNZ, she contributed to the development of WSNZ’s integrated sector plan to reduce drowning nationally.