NZ Queens Birthday Honours for a Longstanding NZGS Member

Mark Christopher Farnsworth, Mangawhai, for services to the community.

Former Northland Regional Council chairman Mark Farnsworth of Mangawhai Heads was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community.

He was New Zealand School Trustees Association national president from 1994 to 1996 and served on the Hobson District Council, including a term as deputy chairman.

He was the principal fire officer of the Pouto Rural Fire District, president of the Northland School Trustees from 1990 to 1993 and national councillor of the New Zealand School Trustees Association for nine years.

In 1992 he was elected to the Northland Regional Council, serving on the council until 2010, the last nine years as chairman.

Mr Farnsworth also chaired the Northland Regional Animal Health Committee from 2000 to 2006.

He has served a six-year term on the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee and was appointed to the Aquaculture Advisory Group in 2009 and the Ministerial Aquaculture Advisory Team in 2010.

Many of these positions have been voluntary.

Mr Farnsworth is highly regarded in the Northland region for his community-minded approach.