Parnwell, Ada Mabel (née Cairns), 1925-2014 (Person)

Politics: Ada was 26 years old when elected as the highest polling candidate to Tauranga Borough Council in 1956. Served three terms, the last being on Tauranga City Council 1962-1965. Key projects included building of Kaimai Rail tunnel, land-banking in the 1960s for a future University, sister city with San Bernardino in California, Tauranga Orange Festival.

Business with husband Bert:

• Parnwell Bakeries, for 35 years. In the 1950s they supplied 90% of the Bay of Plenty's bread supply.
• Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge, 100 acres, held regular New Zealand Horse Magic shows and weekly cattle sales

Racing: Introduced the New Zealand Incentive Scheme Series in 1997, established the Thoroughbred Bonus Scheme in 2004. Her horses won many trophies including the Japan Cup. The Waikato Racing Club organised a Ada Parnwell QSM Tribute Raceday in July 2014 to honour Ada's contribution to thoroughbred racing.

Organisations included:

• 20,000 Club (President) club projects included Memorial Pool, Memorial Park fountain, Queen Elizabeth Stadium
• New Zealand Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Federation (President 1996-2002)
• Plunket
• Tauranga Hospital Board (18 years, some as Deputy Chair, retired 1995).

Ada was working at the Dairy Company in Tirau when she met Tauranga-born Albert (Bert) Parnwell. She moved to Tauranga in 1948.