Andrew Buglass, of Hokitika, QSM, for services to outdoor recreation and conservation
Andrew Buglass has led the preservation and maintenance of backcountry huts and tracks in Westland. In 2003, he founded a website and established a group called Permolat for like-minded enthusiasts. The group has become a strong voice for the retention of backcountry facilities, as well as actively carrying out hut and track maintenance. Permolat’s Trust, which Mr Buglass chairs, maintains more than 40 huts on the West Coast. The Department of Conservation recognised the success of the Permolat model and funded the New Zealand Outdoor Recreation Consortium to grow volunteer effort to maintain the backcountry hut and trail network nationally.