Mr Ross Black, ONZM, of Wanaka, for services to health
Ross Black founded the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and was Chair from 1998 to 2019, during which time the rescue helicopter service transported more than 9,500 patients to hospital.
He spearheaded a $3.5 million fundraising drive for a dedicated rescue helicopter.
The Trust now has four such helicopters. He was instrumental in obtaining a significant value in donated professional services, supporting day-to-day operations as well as ground-breaking equipment upgrades.
He was Trustee and Chairman of the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust, overseeing the implementation of an investment policy that built the Trust’s funds to more than $17 million and distributions to the community of more than $10 million for equipment, training, research and community projects.
Mr Black was a Director of Canterbury Health Boards and Chairman of Otago DHB.