Rare investiture ceremony

James Tomlin after being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to art education at an investiture ceremony on Wednesday.

Two Dunedin people received honours at an investiture ceremony presided over by Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins on Wednesday.

James Tomlin was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to art education and Reverend Canon Ihipera Waikare (Bella) Morrell received a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to the Maori language and community.

Mr Tomlin’s award had been announced as part of the 2020 Queen’s Birthday honours, while Rev Morrell’s award was part of the 2022 New Years Honours.

Reverend Canon Bella Morrell holds her Queen’s Service Medal on Wednesday morning. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON

A spokeswoman for Government House said that in rare, exceptional circumstances, award recipients might be unable to attend one of the twice-yearly investiture ceremonies in either Wellington or Auckland.

Under such circumstances the Governor-General might approve a local ceremony with the local mayor acting on her behalf.

andrew.marshall@odt.co.nz

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