Community minded Cunningham man of honour

In 2003 Hugh Cunningham set out to save Hawera's beleaguered Community Board. David Bruce Hugh Cunningham was a man of honour and integrity. The Hawera JP and former community board member died on Sunday. Friend Ross Corrigan said Cunningham's integrity was beyond question. "I had the highest respect for Hugh Cunningham." His friend was straight up, Corrigan said. "If he said that was a deal it was done. He was one of the old school, if he said something that was it." The Cunningham family business was AB Cunningham and Co in Waverley. Cunningham moved to Hawera and took over Lewis Motors in the early 1960s, Corrigan said. "My father and I had a really good relationship with him and bought a number of vehicles and tractors from him." Cunningham became a Justice of the Peace in September, 1980, and for a time Corrigan was president of the Association, he said. "During the time I held office there, there were a number of confidential things I chose to discuss with him and his wise counsel I very much appreciated. Hugh's knowledge of the role of JPs was excellent. He was very much involved on the court panel and served on the bench." Cunningham was highly respected by everyone, he said. Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke said Cunningham was a committed member of the community with a strong sense of justice. "The thing I've always respected about him was he was a decent man with a just a fundamental sense of honour. He had extremely high standards which he maintained himself and his family, but he also recognised those things in other people." Cunningham was on the Hawera Community Board from 1995 to 2004, and was the deputy chairman from 1998 to 2001, and chairman from 2001-2004. "He was totally committed to maintaining a recommended standard and level of health service and was a regular submitter on that to the DHB," Bourke said. He was also active behind the scenes nominating others for recognition, she said. "All of those people from South Taranaki who won New Zealand awards could almost guarantee Hugh was behind it somewhere." South Taranaki JP Association registrar Nicki Luxton sent a letter to members saying Cunningham's wisdom, friendship, and huge contribution to the association would be missed. "He was responsible for the peer review of our Judicial Justices. He would sit in the court room and watch those of us on the bench at that time. Hugh's written comments were always helpful and constructive. "His knowledge and understanding of the application of the law meant that he was an excellent mentor to those studying to become a Judicial Justice, another role he undertook." http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/72540440/community-minded-cunningham-man-of-honour - Stuff