Mr Denis Aitken, of Outram, ONZM, for services to the dairy industry and the community
Denis Aitken has had a long-term involvement with the Holstein Friesian breed of dairy cattle.
He has been a member of Holstein Friesian New Zealand for 48 years and a Board director for 10 years, and was previously President, Vice President, Treasurer, Head Classifier, Inspector, and Otago branch Chair. He is the World Holstein Friesian Federation (WHFF) Oceania’s representative on the WHFF’s Type Harmonisation Working Group.
He has significantly contributed to the development of the Traits other than Production (TOP) classification system. He was President of the New Zealand Dairy Breeds Federation. Mr Aitken is a member of Taieri Rotary Club, serving a year as President and helping run the Rotary Youth Leadership Award programme, and has held several roles with the West Taieri Rugby Football Club.