Libby Fletcher recognised for over 12 years protecting Lake Tarawera and its future. Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
Elizabeth "Libby" Fletcher, a long-time advocate for Lake Tarawera, has been awarded a King's Service Medal in the 2026 New Year's Honours.
The recognition follows more than a decade of work in environmental protection, community engagement, and local public service.
Fletcher became chair of the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers' Association in 2013, a role she held until stepping down in 2024.
During her tenure, the association established active volunteer environmental groups and formed Lake Tarawera Landcare, bringing pest control and conservation initiatives under one umbrella.
She also supported research with the University of Waikato on water inputs and quality in Lake Tarawera.
Reflecting on the award, Fletcher emphasised the collaborative nature of the work.
"I feel it is not just me who got this award," she said.
"This is through a group that I worked with for 12 years on the wastewater project. They deserve a lot of credit too because they were great supporters. We all had the same aim: better water quality for future generations."
DOC community supervisor Caraline Abbott (left) with Tarawera Pest Control group members Peter Fahey, Libby Fletcher and Richard Nokes, at Kariri Point, Lake Tarawera. Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
Fletcher played a role in the approval and implementation of the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme, helping secure funding and championing the reticulation of local wastewater systems to replace leaching septic tanks.
"Some septic tanks are very old," she said.
"I was appalled at the condition of mine when dismantled. It had been in the ground for probably 60 years or more, and if mine was like that, how many others were?"
Securing $6.5 million of funding in 2017, which paved the way for the system to be installed, is what she listed as her proudest moment during her advocacy.
About 400 households were eventually connected to the reticulated system, helping protect the lake's water quality over the long term, Fletcher said.
Fletcher's work relied on building relationships with mana whenua Te Pūtaiki o Tarawera, Rotorua Lakes Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and members of Parliament.
"I was very fortunate to have great working relationships; it was collaborative. The enjoyment outweighed any difficulties," she said.
Fletcher's love of the lake stems from childhood visits to the area from as young as 4. Eventually, she decided to move here permanently, after years in Auckland, and she wants it to remain a source of enjoyment for the next generation.
"When I was a child, the lake was absolutely pristine," she said.
Sunrise over Mount Tarawera. 22 December 2015 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker. Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
"You could look down and the water was clear, so I've grown up here.
"I have a very strong desire to maintain the quality of the environment for future generations. That's still my aim."
Family ties are also an important factor behind the love of the lake. Her parents bought a section after a visit many years ago and she hopes to one day pass that very location on to her own children - who will be enjoying the holidays at the lake.
"The whole family feels the same way, we're very protective."
Fletcher has stepped down from the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers' Association and does not wish to step on toes going forward so will move her focus to land care.
"I'm still deeply involved in land care, which I'm very attached to," she said.
Again, protecting for the future is high on her agenda, with a 100-year plan in place.
Outside her work at Lake Tarawera, Fletcher has also served the wider community, including as chair of the Laura Fergusson Trust Board.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
