Pukekohe locals John and Valerie Robinson have been made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for their services to orienteering for over 50 years.

John represented New Zealand internationally in both orienteering and athletics while both he and wife Valerie have had a massive impact on the growth of the sport over the past half century.

“Mr Robinson co-founded the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships in 1988 with his wife,” the citation read. “Together, they have been heavily involved in orienteering coaching at schools, averaging 1,000 students annually and close to 4,500 students in 2017 alone. He pioneered midweek twilight orienteering in the Pukekohe area, mapping parks and setting courses, and managing events for around 100 participants a week.

“He established Year 7/8 and secondary school sprint orienteering across South Auckland, an initiative which has grown steadily with around 500 children competing weekly. A committee member of Counties Manukau Orienteering Club, he has been their delegate to Orienteering New Zealand (ONZ) for 30 years.

“At the national level, he has been a council member, contributed to technical and programme committees, and coached and managed ONZ world championship teams. His event planning contributions have shaped the success and high standards of national and international championships held in New Zealand. He has helped ensure the financial sustainability of the sport, securing funding from grants and other sources.

“Mr Robinson founded the Tokoroa Sports Person of the Year awards, an event that has continued for 50 years.”

Valerie Robinson was equally deserving of recognition, having contributed in the same manner as her husband.

“After retiring as a teacher and principal, Mrs Robinson has organised school sports in the Franklin region on a voluntary basis. She established and maintained the weekly Counties Manukau/Franklin Zone orienteering competitions, drawing 400 to 500 young participants at each event. She has mapped numerous schools across Auckland, equipping teachers to integrate orienteering into physical education programmes.

“She was instrumental in establishing orienteering at the intermediate school level across Auckland, with more than 3,000 Year 7/8 students regularly competing annually in inter-zone orienteering days.

“She represented New Zealand at major international competitions in the 1970s, competed in almost every Trans-Tasman orienteering competition, and was assistant manager for the New Zealand team in 2011. She has been a key committee member of the Counties Manukau Orienteering Club since 1975, serving as President for three terms and overseeing the hosting of national and international events.

“She co-founded the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships in 1988 with her husband. Together, they have been heavily involved in orienteering coaching at schools, averaging 1,000 students annually and close to 4,500 students in 2017 alone. For more than 30 years Mrs Robinson coordinated Counties Manukau school teams competing in major championships nationally.”

Credit: Dale Budge, Counties Sports Hub