We would like to acknowledge Warwick Wilshier and Scott O’Donnell, who have both been appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). Warwick has been recognised for his services to the road freight industry, and Scott has been recognised for his services to business.

Wawick Wilshier

Mr Warwick Kenneth Wilshier, To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the road freight industry. 

Mr Warwick Wilshier has been a log truck operator for more than 44 years, and has substantially increased the safety standards of log transport nationally through governance and advocacy. 

Mr Wilshier began as a one truck operator in 1982, and became one of New Zealand’s largest log truck fleet owners with more than 150 vehicles. In 1985 he joined the New Zealand Road Transport Association Region 2 and was appointed the Region 2 representative on the Road Transport Forum in 2018. He was a founding member of the New Zealand Log Transport Safety Council in 1996, established to address the safety of log trucks operating on New Zealand highways. He advocated for the increase of log truck trailer lengths to 22 metres, allowing for lower loads and significantly increasing the safety of the vehicles. He led the development of new vehicle designs and driver education. At the conclusion of his 25 years as Chair of the Council in 2025, log truck rollovers had reduced from 2.4 per million kilometres to 0.3. He was appointed Chair of the Road Transport Forum, and was Chair of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand from 2021 to 2024. Mr Wilshier was inducted into the New Zealand Road Transport Hall of Fame in 2022.

Scott O'Donnell

Mr Scott O’Donnell is a businessman and philanthropist based in Invercargill who has contributed to the city’s economic and community development for more than 30 years.

Mr O’Donnell is a Director of the HW Richardson Group (HWR). From 2006 to 2015 he served as Managing Director, leading the company’s expansion into the petroleum, rural transport, and waste sectors. He has been a key driver of HWR’s investment in green hydrogen, supporting the development of alternative fuels for heavy vehicles. He helped pioneer New Zealand’s first hydrogen–diesel dual‑fuel truck, advancing the decarbonisation of heavy transport. He has overseen the growth of HWR’s property portfolio and was appointed CEO in 2016.

As Chair of Invercargill Central, he led the joint venture between HWR and Invercargill City Council to deliver the $180 million redevelopment of the city centre. He has supported the development of major tourism attractions in Invercargill, including Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Toot Sweets, Bill Richardson Transport World, and The Lodges at Transport World. He is Chairman of Blue Sky Pastures Limited.

Mr O’Donnell has served on the Board of MotorSport New Zealand since 2016 and is a promoter of Invercargill’s George Begg Motorsport Festival. He was involved in the development of Hawthorndale Care Village, a dementia and elderly care facility designed around innovative community‑based care principles.

Mr O’Donnell’s leadership, investment, and long‑term commitment have played a significant role in strengthening Invercargill’s business landscape, tourism sector, and community wellbeing.