controversial, were fully implemented by the government. Creech served as part of the Solomon Islands International Election Observer Team in the 2001 General Election in that nation. He also led the New Zealand Election Observer Team in the August 2010 General Election in Solomon Islands. He also served on the International Election Observer Team for the Falkland Islands referendum on its future status in 2013. Creech served from December 2004 until June 2006 as a director of investment and property company Bluechip. He resigned in June 2006. The company failed in November 2008. As former directors, Creech and John Luxton (who resigned in October 2006) were included (2012) in two lawsuits which alleged breach of their duty to investors. No in-court proceedings in relation to this claim eventuated, and in 2014 all legal claims against the former directors were abandoned. In 2014, he was appointed chair of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chris Finlayson. Honours and awards In 1990, Creech was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. In the 2003 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as a Member of Parliament. Notes References 1946 births Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit Living people Massey University alumni Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand New Zealand National Party MPs American emigrants to New Zealand Victoria University of Wellington alumni People from Masterton People from Martinborough New Zealand list MPs New Zealand education ministers Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates Deputy Prime Ministers of New Zealand New Zealand people of American descent 21st-century New Zealand politicians New Zealand members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom