Chris Marjoribanks has been awarded the Sir Eion and Jan, Lady Edgar Lifetime Achievement Award by Sport New Zealand for over 25 years' service to Māori wellbeing, youth and national sport in the Eastern Bay of Plenty community.

Growing up, Mr Marjoribanks ( Te Whānau a Apanui) played rugby for Kawerau United and represented Rangitaiki Sub union and a BOP Invitation 15.

He also discovered a love for coaching, providing his services to clubs including Kawerau United, Te Teko,15s and 7s Whakatāne Marist and Kawerau Sports Women.

“I enjoyed building team skills, and seeing the relationships established through sports. I think it is an important part of sports, the lifelong friendships that can form from sharing skills,” he said.

Back in 1997, Mr Marjoribanks was invited by founder Matt Te Pou to a meeting with the Mataatua Sports Trust and, to his surprise, was nominated as chairperson.

“When I got there, he stood up and announced, ‘welcome to the new chairperson’.”

He said the goal of Mataatua Trust was to keep rangatahi connected in the community, and to keep them involved in education through sports.

After approximately three years of voluntary operations, the trust achieved funding through He Oranga Poutama with the objective of introducing traditional Maori sport and cultural activities to encourage Māori participation and leadership.

“It’s about recognising Māori sports and utilising the natural environment for physical and educational activities,” Mr Marjoribanks said.

Through He Oranga Poutama, ki-ō-rahi, tapu wae, tī uru, mū tōrere, poi toa, waka ama and mau rākau were progressively introduced to rangatahi and whānau.

Eventually, with the advocation of the He Oranga Poutama team, ki-ō-rāhi and waka ama became recognised at secondary schools around Aotearoa, and the sports recognised nationally.

“We have been well supported by competent and committed kaiwhakahaere (sports facilitators); they’re the ones doing the job,” Mr Marjoribanks said.

During this time, Mr Marjoribanks also served as both chair and deputy chair of Sport NZ’s National Rōpū Manaaki over 11 years, back when Sport NZ was known as the Hilary Commission, and then SPARC.

He led an advisory group to guide organisations in cultural engagement between Māori and SPARC.

As a Kawerau district councillor, Mr Marjoribanks served two terms and even had a short time as interim CEO.

“I think it’s important, where we can, to contribute to the development of our community,” he said.

He was part of a team within the council that initiated a plan for housing and a retirement village facility for Kawerau, contributing to the long-term evolvement of Kawerau and its community.

“Kawerau District Council was an amazing team environment, with strong cultural recognition within the community.”

Retiring after 43 years in what he referred to as the “pulp and paper industry”, Mr Marjoribanks decided to devote his time and skillset to health and social services.

He became chief executive of Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, serving 12 years.

One important chapter from his time with the hauora was the implementation of a Suicide Prevention Action Plan to address significant issues with youth suicide in Kawerau.

After talking with whānau, the community, and experts, a prevention plan was developed involving training up whānau champions. These were people already known and trusted in the community, who would be trained to see signs of those at risk, and to educate their whānau on how to best support their loved ones through these situations.

This effort earned Mr Marjoribanks a Queen’s Service Medal, which he accepted on behalf of the team and collaborators who worked tirelessly for the positive outcome.

After retiring from Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, Mr Marjoribanks was offered the general manager position at the Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Health Provider Alliance, which he accepted, and held for two years.

He has also been a Justice of the Peace for over 30 years.

When discovering he would be receiving the Sir Eion and Jan, Lady Edgar Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr Marjoribanks said he was “quite stunned”.

“This is not just about me, it’s about many people who have been guiding me and supporting me over the years.”

He said none of these projects could have been achieved without the dedicated and competent teams he was surrounded by in each of these roles.

“I want to recognise the amazing, exceptional and integral support from our community,” he said.

He said Te Hau Tutua, Wharekaihua Coates, Mark Harawira and Jerry and Waina Araroa were his kaumatua throughout his service to the community.

He also acknowledges Matt Te Pou, Jim McLean, Jack Thatcher, Howie Tamati, Harko Brown and Dallas Seymour for their valued contributions and advice.

“I want to acknowledge the support of whanau and guidance these people have given me over many years.”

Mr Marjoribanks is still actively involved in the community through a variety of organisations. He is chair of the Sir James Fletcher I Memorial Trust that focusses on providing Māori educational grants.

He is a trustee with Rautahi Marae at Kawerau, and a governance member with Te Whānau a Apanui Justice Programme.

He also chairs Te Pukaea, a pilot programme between Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa and Oranga Tamariki with a focus on improving services for children in need.