Royal recognition for Lorraine and Gerald

Two Marlborough leaders have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list, each appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Dr Lorraine Eade received the honour for services to Māori, governance and the community. She has held a range of community-focused roles, including Justice of the Peace and trustee for local iwi. Lorraine has served on health, business and social committees, and chaired Ngāti Rārua o Te Wairau Society, the Māori night market Te Pātaka o Wairau, and previously Te Pātaka foodbank established during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A retired Justice of the Peace, South Island Taekwon Do director and seven-year Child and Youth Family Home parent, Lorraine has also volunteered on committees to improve health services for Māori, and supported Wairau Pa Marae, Redwoodtown Community Hall and the Marlborough District Council Sports and Recreation Committee.

Gerald Hope was honoured for services to local government, business and the community. Since 1995, Gerald has served 21 years on the Marlborough District Council, including as mayor from 1998 to 2001, championing environmental initiatives, youth development, senior citizens and the arts.

He was an inaugural trustee and later chair of the Marlborough Hospice Trust, Marlborough Art Society president from 1993 to 1997, and has been involved with the Marlborough Youth Trust since 2000.

Gerald also chaired the ratepayer-owned Marlborough Regional Forestry and volunteered with the Grovetown Lagoon Restoration Society, Marlborough Cycleway Group and Rarangi Civil Defence Group. He is a former president of the Rarangi Residents Association and Tennis Club.

In the wine industry, Gerald served as chief executive of the Marlborough Research Centre for 33 years, driving economic growth in the primary sector through research. He also helped establish Marlborough’s sister-city relationship with China’s Ningxia wine region.

Congratulations to both Lorraine and Gerald on their well-deserved honours.