Recognition of community excellence among Grey Power members is always something to celebrate, so when former North Shore Grey Power president,
William (Bill) Rayner received the King’s Service Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours this year, it was an occasion to applaud.
Awarded for services to seniors and cultural heritage, Bill (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine), was a chartered accountant by profession. Since retiring from a career in international shipping and aviation, he has advocated for New Zealand seniors primarily through Grey Power.
He has also contributed to the heritage sector through the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Currently vice president and a life member of North Shore Grey Power, he has been a Zone 2 director, Federation Board member and national treasurer.
“My interest in advocating for New Zealand seniors and Grey Power’s lobbying of government, has never waned. I remain an active member of the North Shore association.”
A long history of local and national government involvement includes being an East Coast Bays City councillor, member of the Auckland Harbour Board and of the Rangitoto College Board of Governors.
“Since the establishment of the Auckland Super City, I’ve worked closely with council including on the establishment of its Seniors’ Advisory Panel.”
Bill also contributed to the Haumaru partnership, between Auckland Council and the Selwyn Foundation, to ensure affordable housing for older people was retained, and on the introduction of the Auckland Transport SuperGold HOP Card for senior travel.
“I’ve always taken an active interest across local council, however, over the years my interests have crossed many activities and career roles including aviation (“after I learnt to fly!”), shipping, transport in general, travel, the arts, writing and more.”
Bill was on the Auckland Council Heritage Advisory Panel for many years and was a founding Board member of the Museum of Transport and Technology. His involvement still continues.
His community input extends to serving a term on the Board of the International Association of Transport Museums, advising the Ministry of Culture and Heritage on technical heritage issues and as a member of the Te Papa National Services Sector Standards Advisory Panel.
His work with heritage organisations includes a special interest in the Devonport Museum and Auckland Civic Trust. He has also served on the Ngāti Kahungunu Asset Holding Company Board and the Iwi Board.
Delve into Bill’s rich ancestry and one discovers a fascinating family tree with many distinguished forbears descending from the Wynyard family for which the Wynyard Quarter in Auckland is named.
One of his forebears, Colonel Robert Wynyard, brought the 58th Regiment from Australia to New Zealand in 1845 for the Maori war in the north.
The colonel stayed on here as a military commander and civil administrator under former Governor General, Sir George Grey and continued to serve with him when both returned to England. However, his son, Gladwin married a Maori woman, Wahinekino of Ngati Kahunguru whapapapa and remained in Auckland. Both he and his wife are buried in Devonport.
“I continue to stress the need to include heritage, in particular, community heritage, as a key Grey Power concern,” Bill says. “It is the story of our lives and those before us. In these changing times, it is important to preserve and present it to our grandchildren.”
Bill’s list of achievements, plus community and specialist activities, are too many to mention, yet he continues to serve tirelessly within his areas of expertise, including writing for Grey Power magazine when requested. His King’s Service Medal is recognition of his mana.