Mr Rodney Bracefield, of Porirua, CNZM, for services to Search and Rescue and aviation
Rodney Bracefield has contributed to Search and Rescue and aviation for more than 60 years. He was integral in New Zealand’s membership of the international emergency distress beacon organisation Cospas-Sarsat, consisting of 45 nations and agencies, detecting and locating emergency locator radio beacons. He was instrumental in the building and commissioning of New Zealand’s satellite ground station. He helped establish the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, which delivers 24-7 Search and Rescue coordination services. He has recruited and trained staff, and represented New Zealand internationally. He served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force for 24 years. He has been the Project Manager for several projects for Maritime New Zealand. Until recently, Mr Bracefield was the Operational Support Manager with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue and Coordination Centre New Zealand.