Mr Hugh Canard, ONZM, of Christchurch, for services to conservation and paddle sports
Hugh Canard is Patron and former President of Whitewater New Zealand Incorporated.
He is a member of the Canterbury Regional Water Committee and has contributed to the Land and Water Forum and the National Objectives Framework Reference Group.
He has led hundreds of amateur kayaking and rafting trips for the Canterbury Whitewater Club. He helped to secure Water Conservation Orders on several rivers and, with others, purchased land alongside the Buller River’s Granity Rapid to retain public access.
He has been part of the Tasman Environmental Trust, National Water Strategy Working Group, Adventure Tourism Council, and Tekapo Whitewater Trust.
He chaired the Nelson-Marlborough Conservation Board. He helped to establish the Sea Kayak Operators Association. Mr Canard is a board member of the Packrafting Association of New Zealand.