Brian Marcroft
Longtime Ngāhinapōuri resident Brian Marcroft, 84, has received the King’s Service Medal for services to the community – thanks to the advocacy of his late friend Alan Livingston.
Brian Marcroft was named Deer Farmer of the Year in 2001.
Livingston, the former Waipā mayor who passed away mid-April, recognised the voluntary dedication by the man nicknamed “Chooky”.
The retired deer farmer has committed his life to committees, boards, coaching, planning and advocating for his beloved Ngāhinapōuri – and surrounding Waipā communities.
Marcroft has spent 77 years in the area, around five years at Saint Kentigern College and two years at Massey University.
Even that time away was dedicated to his home village.
He soaked up every bit of knowledge and skill he could, to give back to Ngāhinapōuri.
Chooky’s Roost cricket pavilion at Stewart Reid Memorial Park is named after Brian “Chooky” Marcroft. It had originally been the old gun club and then a haybarn on Cochrane Rd. Photo: Jesse Wood
“When I was at Massey, my father died aged 51 and I came back to the farm, something I hadn’t planned on, but have never regretted,” Marcroft said.
“My dad had been on the Bobby Calf Committee as a Ngāhinapōuri representative.
“I stepped into his shoes and I suppose that’s what got me started.”
Marcroft was only in his late teens and that got the ball rolling for his community involvement.
Joining the Ngāhinapōuri Hall Society in 1963, he became chairman at age 21.
He oversaw the hall’s rebuild, fundraising and reconstruction.
“It was a major project. A lot of money was raised through stock sales and donations.
“Farmers, anyone in the district who could help were involved with a lot of the work done by volunteers working alongside the builder.”
He continued to serve on the hall committee for many years.
Brian Marcroft in the 1980s
Marcroft’s list of committees and community involvement is astounding.
He has held a range of governance roles in organisations including serving as trustee of Stewart Reid Memorial Park since 1974, an organiser of the Farm Labour Scheme, a committee member of Ngāhinapōuri Federated Farmers, serving on the dairy committee for 35 years and the Ngāhinapōuri School committee for 13 years.
“School reunions, I was the secretary of the school’s centenary in 1977 and the chairman for the 125th in 2002,” Marcroft said.
“I hope to be able to go to the 150th next year, but I’ve stepped back from involvement.”
He was an inaugural member of Waikato Deer Farmers Association, holding various positions over 25 years.
His involvement in local sport includes 10 years as a committee member of Northern Districts’ Cricket.
Cricket and golf are both close to Marcroft’s heart. Living just down the road from both Ngāhinapōuri Golf Club and Ngāhinapōuri Cricket Club made it an easy decision to keep being involved.
He is a life member of the golf club, cricket club, Waikato Eagles Society and Te Awamutu Vet Club.
Marcroft has been a Justice of the Peace since 1999.
In recent years he led the committee to form the Mangahia Catchment Charitable Trust, tasked with creating the Ngāhinapōuri walkway, linking the community to its history through nature.
“I’ve stood down as the chairman now. I’m still involved but leaving it to an enthusiastic group of younger people to lead the way now,” Marcroft said.
Marcroft is indebted to Raewyn and his sons for their support over the years.
“All along the way, there’s been good people that I’ve been involved with. I am accepting this honour on their behalf as well.”
Brian Marcroft
