One of east Auckland’s great people and leaders, known and respected for her modesty and can-do attitude, describes her national New Year Honour as “amazing”.
Long-time Howick and Districts Historical Society member and former two-time president, Marin Burgess, received a King’s Service Medal (KSM) as 2026 commenced.
She told the Times this week that it took her three days “to realise the email advising of the nomination wasn’t spam”.
When people are nominated for a national honour, they’re contacted by the Government-responsible department and asked if they’re like to accept, and if they do, they’re sworn to secrecy until the acknowledgement is made public.
“I was – and am – astounded, as I’ve never regarded those 45 years as anything other than happily supporting the best living history museum in New Zealand – right here in Howick,” Burgess says.
Since 1980, she’s been a volunteer at the Howick Historical Village in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, and taken on many different committee, guide and co-ordinating roles.
Her KSM is for services to heritage preservation and education.
“The Howick Historical Village tells so many stories about people and how they adapted,” Burgess says.
“It teaches, educates and entertains at every level and I’m very grateful to have been involved, and even more grateful for the folks who actually made the nomination.”
She’s still unsure who exactly made the nomination, as is often customary with national honours.
“I now have to justify this amazing honour! And it will be a pleasure,” says the Farm Cove resident.
Burgess is also on the society’s board as its heritage advisor and is working with others on a programme cataloguing the museum’s collection.
The national honours’ citation reads: ‘She was a foundation education guide with the village’s education programme, providing hands-on learning for schoolchildren, before moving to visitor guiding and setting up heritage exhibitions.
‘She served twice as president of the Howick and Districts Historical Society, who own and operate the village.
‘She steered the society through the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the village, and during her first presidency oversaw the transfer of ownership of Bell House and the relocation of Puhi Nui Homestead, both noteworthy buildings within the village.
‘She was a member of both the 150th and 175th anniversary trusts for Howick, playing a key role in the 2022 district-wide event with multiple live events, displays and competitions.
‘She was involved in the development of the Auckland Volunteer Centre and COVAK (Coordinators of Volunteers Auckland).
‘Mrs Burgess has been a Red Cross refugee support volunteer and received the Founders Day Award from Zonta of East Auckland for services to the community and Howick’s heritage.’
- For an earlier Times’ story about the 2026 New Year Honours, read: https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/east-aucklanders-recognised-in-2026-new-year-honours-list/
- For an earlier Times’ Q&A feature interview with Marin Burgess in August 2025, read: https://www.times.co.nz/lifestyle/qa-marin-burgess-howick-historical-society-stalwart/
- For an earlier Times’ story about the cataloguing of the Howick Historical Village’s collections, read: https://www.times.co.nz/news/village-upskills-in-digitally-recording-treasures/
