Heather Ayrton Explained

Heather Ayrton
Birth Name:Catherine Heather Donaldson
Birth Date:1934
Death Date:24 May 2024 (aged 89-90)
Occupation:journalist, justice of the peace, coroner
Known For:Queen's Service Medal recipient

Catherine Heather Ayrton (née Donaldson; 1934 - 2024) was a New Zealand coroner, journalist, and community heritage and conservation advocate. After becoming a Justice of the Peace in 1975 she was appointed coroner for the Bay of Islands, the second woman to hold the position. She was a journalist for the New Zealand Herald for 35 years.[1]

Ayrton joined the committee of the Northland branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1984, and then Heritage Northland in 2015.[2] She supported many other community groups, acting as patron for Hokianga Historical Society[3] and Chair of the Northland Conservation Board among other roles.[4]

In 1998 she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her community activities.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Heather Ayrton JP calls it a day . 16 October 2024 . Northland Age . 26 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20240821145138/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/heather-ayrton-jp-calls-it-a-day/I52KACZH6MTTNROU4TNA4O7JFY/. 21 August 2024.
  2. Web site: O'Hare . John . Farewell Heather . Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga . 16 October 2024.
  3. Web site: Whaley . Alexa . Hokianga Historical Society Newsletter September 2016 . Hokianga Historical Society . 16 October 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240608232924/http://ourhokianga.com/files/Hokianga_Historical_Society_Newsletter_September_2016.pdf. 8 June 2024.
  4. Web site: Minister announces new Northland lottery appointments . Beehive.govt.nz . New Zealand Government . 16 October 2024 . 14 January 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20190219080457/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-announces-new-northland-lottery-appointments. 19 February 2019.
  5. News: OBITUARY: Heather Ayrton, Northland identity and fierce supporter of the country's heritage . 16 October 2024 . Northern Advocate . 31 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240902180041/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/obituary-heather-ayrton-northland-identity-and-fierce-supporter-of-the-countrys-heritage/DJK6NO4UPZDF5N3CN7EUHMD3Q4/. 2 September 2024.

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