Mr Ron Cooke, QSM, of Taumarunui, for services to historical research
Ron Cooke established and began publishing “Roll Back the Years”, a pictorial magazine recording the history of Taumarunui and surrounding districts, in 1980.
He later developed a national version of the magazine, “New Zealand Memories”, which captured the stories, reminiscences, factual accounts and images of all New Zealand regions and districts.
Mr Cooke has written and published over 20 books recording King Country history on subjects ranging from school reunions to sawmilling, as well as many volumes on the region’s general history.
Mr Cooke was a member of the Taumarunui and Districts Historical Society and a Ruapehu District Councillor.