Whakaari/White Island responders receive awards from New Zealand Defence Force

05:00, Jun 07 2021

JOHN BORREN/GETTY IMAGES

Crew members from the HMNZS Wellington that were involved in the response to the Whakaari/White Island eruption are among a group of New Zealand Defence Force personnel being acknowledged today.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel who flew and sailed in challenging conditions at short notice in the aftermath of the Whakaari/White Island eruption have been recognised with several military awards.

The December 9, 2019 eruption off the coast of Whakatāne in the eastern Bay of Plenty left 22 people dead and 25 people with severe or critical injuries.

Among the responders acknowledged by the Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on Monday were people involved in the helicopter recovery operation in the aftermath of the deadly eruption, as well as specialist doctors, and crew from the HMNZS Wellington.

A pilot who pushed his helicopter “towards the edge of its limits” while undertaking a challenging low level search of the active volcano was awarded the Defence Meritorious Service Medal.

READ MORE:
* 'I hadn't eaten, I hadn't slept': NZDF commander recalls Whakaari/White Island recovery operation
* 'I felt like I was in a different world': The medics and military behind the Whakaari/White Island rescue and recovery
* The Whakaari recovery operation - behind the scenes

Chief of the NZDF, Air Marshal Kevin Short, said the actions of all those involved with the victim recovery operation “showed great courage and determination to retrieve those that perished on the island”.

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The NZDF deployed personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force and New Zealand Army to respond alongside other agencies to the emergency situation on Whakaari, and were able to reunite the remains of six victims with their families.

Flight Lieutenant Hamish Reichardt was the lead pilot of the second NH90 helicopter detachment that was sent out.

The aircraft had to deal with unfavourable wind and low cloud, as well as a regular volcanic explosion every few minutes that would cover most of the crater with poisonous gas and fumes.

Flight Lieutenant Reichardt flew the helicopter in and out of the area in cycles and, with two of the victims unable to be located, undertook a low level search, “demanding exceptional piloting skill to operate the NH90 helicopter towards the edge of its limits”.

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES

The December 9, 2019 eruption of Whakaari/White Island left 22 people dead and 25 people with severe or critical injuries.

Reichardt was commended for his leadership, tenacity, judgement, and his quick decision-making in modifying the recovery plan to use an alternative technique to recover some of the more isolated bodies.

“In doing so he ensured that the ground recovery teams were not exposed to the fatiguing and hazardous environment for any longer than necessary.”

Reichardt was awarded the Defence Meritorious Service Medal.

DNZM

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT: DAMES COMPANION

Professor Carolyn Waugh Burns, CBE

For services to ecological research

Judith Anne Kilpatrick, CNZM

For services to nursing education

Hinewehi Mohi, MNZM

For services to Māori, music and television

Ruia Mereana Morrison, MBE

For services to tennis

KNZM

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT: KNIGHTS COMPANION

Michael Grenfell Daniell

For services to business, healthcare and governance

Distinguished Professor William Alexander Denny, ONZM

For services to medical research

Wayne Thomas Shelford, MBE

For services to rugby and the community

Grahame Charles Sydney, ONZM

For services to art

CNZM

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT: COMPANIONS

Dr Evelyn Imelda Coxon

For services to Pacific and tertiary education

David Charles Cull

For services to local government

Deceased. Her Majesty’s approval of this award took effect on 26 April 2021, prior to the date of decease.

Robert Charles Francis, QSO, MBE, JP

For services to community and conservation

Professor Angus Hikairo Macfarlane

For services to education, psychology and Māori

Dr Kevin Raymond Marshall

For services to food science and technology

Harry Haerengarangi Mikaere

For services to the aquaculture industry and Māori

Mr John Stewart Ombler, QSO

For services to the public service

Professor Suzanne Carolyn Purdy

For services to audiology and communication science

Professor Emeritus David Eric Richmond

For services to health and education

Dr Robert Simon Hearn Rowley

For services to paediatric and neonatal care

Dr Maxwell Gilbert Shepherd, JP

For services to biotechnology and business

John Webster Te Kapene Thatcher

For services to Māori and education

ONZM

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT: OFFICERS

Murray Ian Bain

For services to tertiary education and digital learning

Margaret Mary Baker

For services to Special Olympics

Carol Ann Beaumont

For services to the union movement and women's rights

David Ross Black

For services to health

James Anthony Brownlie

For services to agriculture and education

Jamie Bull

For services to the performing arts and the community

Hugh Jason Paul Canard

For services to conservation and paddle sports

Garry Keith Carnachan

For services to secondary school sport

Margaret Agnes Chapman

For services to rural women and rural communities

Reverend Iliafi Talotusitusi Esera

For services to the Samoan community and Christian ministry

Fiona Mary Gower

For services to rural women and governance

Dr Anne Denise Guy

For services to infant mental health

Susan Jean Hassall, JP

For services to education

Anne Lynette Hawker, QSM

For services to people with disabilities

Professor Emerita Paula Elizabeth Jameson

For services to plant science

Esther Rata Jessop, QSM

For services to Māori and to New Zealand-United Kingdom relations

Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp

For services to street dance and youth

Robert Henry Ludbrook

For services to family law and children's rights

Mary Joan McFarlane

For services to swimming

Dr Benjamin Frank Pittman

For services to Māori and art

Fiona Jocelyn Riddell

For services to cardiac physiology

Dr Linda Janet Robertson

For services to Occupational Therapy and seniors

Itamua Muaiao’omalo Mataiva Dorothy Robertson

For services to women, youth and the Pacific community

Riccardo Michele Salizzo

For services to sports media

Noma Jeanne Shepherd, MNZM

For services to the community

Professor Harold John Simpson

For services to art education

Darien Ruth Takle

For services to the performing arts

Gwendoline Tepania-Palmer

For services to Māori and health

Philip Spencer Trusttum

For services to art

Beverley Celia Watson

For services to race relations and youth

Bruce William Massy Wills

For services to agriculture and the environment

Neil Bernard Woodhams

For services to people with Multiple Sclerosis

Honorary

Dr Wolfgang Scholz

For services to engineering and metals-based industry

MNZM

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT: MEMBERS

Lynette Kaye Anderson

For services to the zoological industry and conservation

David John Appleyard

For services to education

Ryan Jeffrey Archibald

For services to hockey

Jane Ross Arnott

For services to Pacific communities and conservation advocacy

Sergeant Gurpreet Singh Arora

For services to the New Zealand Police and ethnic communities

Richard Douglas Benge

For services to arts accessibility

Danielle Rachelle Bergin, JP

For services to the community, particularly the homeless

Murray Frank Binning

For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Adam Ngawati Blair

For services to rugby league

Cynthia Margaret Bowers

For serives to the community and local government

Dorothy Joy Burt

For services to digital learning

Catherine Frances Cooney, JP

For services to health and the community

Yvette Louise Couch-Lewis

For services to conservation and Māori

Nicola Jane Denholm

For services to humanitarian advocacy and photography

Mustafa Ismail Derbashi

For services to migrant and refugee communities

Margaret Ann Dodds

For services to special education

Dr Graeme Alexander Downes

For services to music and music education

Miles Denis Ellery

For services to youth, education and the community

Kathleen Margaret Farrell

For services to netball

Dr Michael John Fletcher

For services to social and public policy

Dr Janet Seymour Frater

For services as a General Practitioner

Lala Athene Frazer, QSM

For services to conservation

Sameer Handa

For services to business and New Zealand-India relations

Iqbal Manzoor Haque

For services to education governance

Bruce Henry Hart

For services to education

Francis William Helps

For services to wildlife conservation

Shireen May Helps

For services to wildlife conservation

Michael David Holdsworth

For services to Special Olympics

Margaret Anne Hopkins

For services to conservation and the community

Peter Ronald Horne

For services to bowls and Paralympic sport

Sally Anne Jackson, JP

For services to special education

Shirley Diane Kerr

For services to mycology

Mary Louise Kisler

For services to art history and curation

Hoani Sydney Langsbury

For services to conservation

Shirley Audrey Lanigan

For services to nursing

Kenneth Bernard Laurent

For services to wildlife conservation

Susanne Maire Laurent

For services to wildlife conservation

Colleen Janice Lyons

For services to netball and education

Dr Peter Alexander Maddison

For services to conservation

Posenai Samoa Mavaega

For services to Pacific performing arts

Tanya Soliali'i Mavaega (Tanya Muagututi’a)

For services to Pacific performing arts

Phillis-Jean Meti

For services to sport, particularly golf

Mani Bruce Mitchell

For services to intersex advocacy and education

Ted Turua Ngataki

For services to Māori and the community

Caron Orelowitz

For services to podiatry

Karoline Fuarosa Park-Tamati

For services to music

Janet Louise Peters

For services to mental health

Stephen Leslie Phillips, JP

For services to seniors and the community

Samantha Anne Powell (Dr Samantha Murton)

For services to medical education, particularly general practice

Tere Veronica Rapley

For services to music and television

Maxine Khrona Shortland

For services to netball and governance

Robin John Simmons

For services to the rail industry

Gina Solomon

For services to conservation and governance

Reverend Janice Ellen Stead

For services to sport and the community

Mairehe Louise Marie Tankersley

For services to prisoners' welfare and Māori

Gabriel Pikiao Edward Te Moana

For services to Māori and governance

Helen Theresa Cecilia Varney

For services to education, particularly Pacific education

Karen Vercoe

For services to governance and sport

Graeme Douglas Watts

For services to the community and charity fundraising

Heather Margaret Williamson, JP

For services to netball and the community

Tracey Lee Wright-Tawha

For services to health and Māori

Honorary

Louisa Humphry

For services to the Kiribati community and culture

QSO

QUEEN'S SERVICE ORDER: COMPANIONS

The Honourable Ruth Suzanne Dyson

For services as a Member of Parliament and to people with disabilities

Michelle Susan Grant

For services to victims of sexual violence

David Alan Matthews

For services to people with disabilities

Peter Anthony Miskimmin

For services to sports governance and public service

Sarah Ann Stuart-Black

For services to emergency management

Heather Leigh Tanguay

For services to local government and the community

QSM

QUEEN'S SERVICE MEDAL

Carolyn Anne Amos, JP

For services to the community

Graeme Rodney Baker

For services to the community

Grant Andrew Aaron Baker

For services to cricket and the community

Jacquetta Bell

For services to arts and the community

Dr Alastair Hartley Blackie, JP

For services to dentistry and local government

Suzanne Blakely

For services to refugees and ESOL education

Bruce Edwin Bold

For services to the community

Sergeant Andrew George Brooke

For services to Search and Rescue

Barbara Michelle Cameron

For services to the community and local government

Charles Edwin Campbell

For services to the performing arts

Grant Kenneth Conaghan

For services to Search and Rescue

Kevin Graham Curtis

For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Diana Lois Dobson

For services to wildlife conservation

Sonia Elizabeth Edwards

For services to wildlife conservation

Carol Annette Frost

For services to the homeless and prisoner rehabilitation

Dr Derek Clifton Gibbons

For services to health

Robert MacGregor Greenfield

For services to college football

Neville Henry Jacobsen

For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Gary Irving Lang

For services to Special Olympics and the community

Heather Dorothy Lear

For services to inclusive education

Ian Christopher Leigh-Mackenzie, JP

For services to the community

Judith Elaine Livingston

For services to music and the community

Ronal Arthur Luxton, JP

For services to health and the community

Habib Ullah Marwat

For services to Muslim and ethnic communities

Yvonne Mavis Officer

For services to victim support

Mila Kim Oh

For services to Korean culture and New Zealand-Republic of Korea relations

Te Rehia Teresa Fay Papesch

For services to the community and public service

Reverend Victor Siaosi Pouesi

For services to the Samoan community

Anita Ruth Prime

For services to youth and the community

Alan John Reekie

For services to performing arts governance

Diana Helen Reid

For services to cancer support

Jannette Leah Riley

For services to cancer support and fundraising

Yvonne Esther Roberts

For services to quilting and patchwork craft

John Robert Sandison, JP

For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Taualoa Lalopua Sanele

For services to union movement and Samoan community

Gregory John Loisel Shelton

For services to the community

Elizabeth Margaret Steel

For services to the community

Vanessa Ann Taylor

For services to bowls and the community

Kenneth Terrance Trinder

For services to Māori and the community

Paul Eric Tyson

For services to sport and the community

Rachael Anne Utumapu

For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and people with cancer

Kim Heather Ward

For services to the community

Janice Valida White

For services to seniors and people with disabilities

Gordon Wu

For services to the Chinese community

DSD

THE NEW ZEALAND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE DECORATION

Serviceman M

For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Lieutenant Colonel Adam John Modd, GM

For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

SpeedPosition

Other members of the helicopter recovery operation were awarded the Chief of Defence Force Commendation.

They were: co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Loic Ifrah, second helicopter loadmaster Sergeant Jennifer Hart, and lead helicopter loadmaster Sergeant Phillip Delaney.

Squadron Leader Christopher Ross also received a New Zealand Defence Force Commendation for the leadership and planning role he played during the operation.

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On the afternoon of Monday December 9, Whakaari/White Island erupted while people were visiting the live volcano. The consequences were tragic.

Meanwhile, on the day of the eruption, the HMNZS Wellington had just returned to Devonport Naval Base in Auckland after completing a six-week fisheries patrol.

When it was activated to respond to Whakaari, the crew was recalled and the ship set sail within just a few hours for Whakatāne.

With a crew of 69 people, the HMNZS Wellington played a pivotal role in recovering six of the eight people who died on the island following the eruption, as well as in the ongoing search around White Island for the two missing victims.

In the following days, the ship was required to navigate close to the volcano and often deployed personnel close to the shore, sometimes at night and in difficult weather conditions, and always facing the possibility of further eruptions.

Four members of the crew were today awarded a Chief of Defence Force Commendation, including the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Timothy Hall, and three rigid-hull inflatable boat coxswains who participated in the recovery effort throughout the entire period the ship was on station in support.

They were: Leading Seaman Combat Specialist Joseph Campbell, Leading Seaman Combat Specialist Reyne Hepi, and Leading Hydrographic Systems Operator Stephen Lofthouse.

The HMNZS Wellington also received a New Zealand Defence Force Commendation.

LILLANI HOPKINS/SUPPLIED

Whakaari/White Island eruption as seen from tourist boat.

Dr Sophie Walker was awarded a New Zealand Defence Force Commendation for providing expert guidance on the appropriate protective equipment from the volcanic gases and liquids that those undertaking the recovery might encounter, as well as the decontamination process needed afterwards.

Dr Walker also made sure people were well-informed of the risks present on Whakaari, and advised them on how best to mitigate those risks. She was widely acknowledged for clearly articulating complex technical issues.

Lieutenant Colonel Charmaine Tate received a New Zealand Defence Force Commendation for her role in assisting with disaster victim identification and body recovery operations. She adapted and fulfilled a variety of roles to ensure the emergency agencies, the New Zealand Police, and the NZDF were able to successfully conduct dangerous tasks in support of the recovery.

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Air Marshal Short also acknowledged nine members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron (EOD) today, who cannot be named.

The squadron was deployed on the volcano four days after the eruption to recover the victims who had succumbed to the deadly effects of the initial eruption.

Short said those nine members each displayed courage and determination as they faced extreme conditions, while wearing cumbersome protective equipment that caused them to fatigue quickly.

“Their efforts played a critical role in the success of the operation.”

They were awarded seven Defence Meritorious Service Medals and two Chief of Defence Force Commendations.

A tenth member of the squadron who supported those who deployed on the volcano was awarded a New Zealand Defence Force Commendation.

Award recipients

• Flight Lieutenant Hamish Reichardt – Defence Meritorious Service Medal
• Sergeant Phillip Delaney – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Flight Lieutenant Loic Ifrah – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Sergeant Jennifer Hart – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Leading Seaman Combat Specialist Joseph Campbell – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Leading Seaman Combat Specialist Reyne Hepi – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Leading Hydrographic Systems Operator Stephen Lofthouse – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Lieutenant Commander Timothy Hall – Chief of Defence Force Commendation
• Dr Sophie Walker – New Zealand Defence Force Commendation
• Squadron Leader Christopher Ross – New Zealand Defence Force Commendation
• Lieutenant Colonel Charmaine Tate – New Zealand Defence Force Commendation
• HMNZS Wellington – New Zealand Defence Force Commendation
• Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron (who cannot be named) – seven Defence Meritorious Service Medals, two Chief of Defence Force Commendations, and one New Zealand Defence Force Commendation.