Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Paul Swain has congratulated past and present firefighters from Kaiwaka,
Opotiki, Kaikohe, Westport and Ohakune who have been recognised with Queen’s Service Medals in the 2021 New Year’s
Honours list released today.
"We are very proud to have such dedicated people offer their time and skills to serve both their communities and Fire
and Emergency New Zealand," said Mr Swain.The recipients are:
John Bowmar (Kaiwaka) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Syd Hughes (Opotiki) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Jim Powdrill (Kaikohe) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Kevin Stechman (Westport) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Bruce Thompson (Ohakune) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
"This recognition is thoroughly deserved for the immense amount of work these five have undertaken over many years to
make their communities stronger, safer and more resilient.
"On behalf of all New Zealanders, I would like to congratulate them all on receiving this very special honour," says
Paul Swain.Additional information:
Mr Daniel John (John) BOWMAR (Kaiwaka) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and
the community
John Bowmar has been a member of the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1977. He was Deputy Chief Fire Officer from
1994 to 2004 and has since served 16 years as Chief Fire Officer. In the past 10 years, he has attended 847 callouts
across a range of events. At the same time, he has provided support to neighbouring Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade,
including mentoring new officers.
John has also been an active member of his local Lions Club and been involved in community fundraising including for the
Northland Rescue Helicopter Trust. He has supported the local Civil Defence team and has responded with his tractor to
assist with rescues in the community.
Mr Joseph Sydney Ronald Robert (Syd) HUGHES (Opotiki) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency
New Zealand and the community
Syd Hughes was a member of the Opotiki Volunteer Fire Brigade from 1961 until retiring from the brigade in 2015. During
that time, he responded to a total of 2,793 callouts. He was promoted to Station Officer in 1981, Senior Station Officer
in 2001, and Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2004. Syd remains involved with recruitment for the brigade and is an Honorary
Life Member.
He was involved with the Opotiki St John Ambulance Brigade from 1960 until 1987, including volunteering at sports events
and ambulance callouts, and later became a full-time ambulance officer. He volunteered as a cadet instructor for St John
from the mid-1970s until 1987.
Syd has been a member of the Opotiki Pony Club, the Opotiki Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Opotiki Hunt
Club committee where he acted as first responder for hunts.
Mr James George (Jim) POWDRILL (Kaikohe) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Jim Powdrill has been a member of the Kaikohe Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1963, rising to the rank of Senior Station
Officer. During his time with the brigade he was a driver and pump operator and assisted in training new recruits. He
played a major role with other senior officers to support the brigade through three restructures, fitted smoke alarms in
almost every house in Kaikohe, and cleaned chimneys in response to a rise in call-outs to chimney fires.
Jim spent many years as a marshal and timekeeper at Northland Fire Brigade competitions and has officiated at provincial
level from Cape Reinga to Turangi.
Jim was recognised as a Life Member of the Brigade in 1988 and received a Citizen Award from the Far North District
Council in 2016. He has volunteered with Kaikohe St John ambulance service as a driver and at Kaikohe Pioneer Village
and has been involved in various community fundraising functions. Jim is also a member of the Kaikohe Community Patrol
and maintains the patrol vehicle in addition to patrolling.
Mr Kevin STECHMAN (Westport) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Kevin Stechman has been a member of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade for 46 years. He is currently the Senior Station
Officer and has served as Secretary and Treasurer since 1999.
Kevin has represented the Brigade at the United Fire Brigades’ Association Annual Conference for the past 20 years. He
has served on the West Coast Provincial Fire Brigade Association Executive, including as President in 1993. In this
capacity he helped organise and run annual competitions and exercises for the firefighters. He is the current Secretary
and Treasurer of the West Coast Gold Star Association, a group that provides support to fire personnel who have served
more than 25 years for their brigades.
Kevin has also been involved with the White Star Club in the Buller Rugby Union as player, coach and committee member
for more than 20 years.
Mr Bruce Herbert THOMPSON (Ohakune) - Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the
community
Bruce Thompson has been a member of Ohakune Volunteer Fire Brigade for 55 years. He spent many years with the Brigade as
Treasurer and Secretary and was made a Life Member in 1990. He is currently Clothing Manager and provides a meal
following every training night. He has been instrumental in fundraising for a water tanker and motor vehicle extrication
cutting equipment for the Brigade.
Bruce operated the Ohakune movie theatre until 2014, where he organised a number of film screenings for community and
fundraising events. He was Councillor for the Ohakune Borough Council from 1972 and was Deputy Mayor from 1974 until
1985. He was Councillor of Waimarino District from 1989 to 1994 and Ruapehu District Council from 2001 to 2004. He was
also a member of the Waimarino Waiouru Community Board from 2004 to 2009.