Plenty of Bay residents are amongst this year's recipients listed on the New Year's Honours list.

Valerie Ann Burrell, of Te Puke, Alan Frank Hitchens, of Tauranga, and Pouroto Nicholas Hamilton Ngaropo, JP, of Whakatane have become Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year's New Years Honours list.

Val was awarded for her services to the community and horticulture.

She has contributed to community organisations within Te Puke and at regional and national levels since 1977, and has been active with the New Zealand Women's Institute for 57 years and was Te Puke/Paengaroa President for 12 years, amongst other roles, the award says.

She has been regional president of the Tauranga Federation for four years and served on the National Executive from 2013 to 2017.

She has been involved with the National Dahlia Society of New Zealand for 33 years and has been Northern Secretary, National Secretary/Treasurer, and Privacy Officer.

She has been National Treasurer since 2010 and over the years has assisted with producing the Society's magazine and various fundraising efforts.

Her 40 year involvement with the Floral Art Society of New Zealand has included holding the positions of regional and local Treasurer.

Val was a member of the Te Puke War Memorial Hall Committee for 10 years.

Alan Frank Hitchens, of Tauranga, was also made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism and the community.

Alan has had a long career in the newspaper industry as an editor and mentor of young journalists, the awards says.

He was chief reporter and then news editor from 1964 to 1970 of the Wellington morning newspaper The Dominion. He was editor of the Sunday News in the 1970s.

He was general manager of News Media Auckland from 1986 to 1994, overseeing newspapers including the Auckland Star, the Sunday Star, the Sunday News, Truth, and horse racing magazines.

He was chief executive of Independent News Corporation from 1994 to 1997, the American subsidiary of INL which owned and operated 32 newspapers in the United States.

Within his local community he has been a member of the management board of the Pauanui Sports and Recreation Club and helped guide the club through some troublesome years. He joined the Hikuai District Trust and over the course of nine years he was responsible for the promotional advertising for outdoor concerts held by the Trust that raised $150,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Alan provided guidance in 2012 for the Trust's project to build a community cycle way from Pauanui to Tairua.

Pouroto Nicholas Hamilton Ngaropo, JP, of Whakatane, has become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and governance.

Pouroto Ngaropo is Chairperson of Te Tāwera Hapū Trust and was a driving force behind the re-establishment and upgrading of Iramoko Marae.

Pouroto has been deputy chairperson of Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa, was involved in Ngāti Awa Treaty settlement negotiations, held positions on Ngāti Awa's Arts Council and various other committees, and was previously Chairperson of Ngāti Awa Education Grants Committee.

He has been involved with kapa haka in a range of roles, including as tutor and leader of Te Tāwera Hapū, as a composer of contemporary and traditional waiata, and as leader of kapa haka teams that performed in the United Kingdom in 2008 and 2009. He has been a Trustee of Tuariki Marae, Umuhika Lands Trust, Pou Whakaaro Trust, and Awakaponga Cemetery.

He has been Chairperson of the Māori Mataatua Consultative Committee for Pacific Health, Pōkerekere Māori Lands Trust, Te Kohika Art Collection, Whakatane District Council Iwi Liaison Committee, and Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation. He has been a member of Whakatane District Council New Zealand Creative Arts Committee, the Community Arts Council, and Whakatane and District Historical Society.

Pouroto has held numerous cultural advisory positions for individuals and organisations ranging from District Health Boards, Ministers of the Crown, media organisations, and private businesses.

There are also a number of Bay of Plenty residents that have been awarded a Queen's Service Medal.

Reverend George William Bryant, JP, of Tauranga, has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to publishing and the community.

Pete Donaldson, of Katikati, has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the Coastguard.

Heather Yvonne McLean, of Tauranga, has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to genealogy and historical research.

John William Pullar, of Whakatane, has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.

Patricia Anne Roser, of Tauranga, has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the Coastguard and children.

For more information, and a full list of recipients, visit the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.