We work alongside some incredible people and this year it was beautiful to see so many of them acknowledged in the New Year Honours.

We wish to extend a heartfelt congratulations firstly to Matua Te Taku Parai, who has played a key role with Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu over the past 10 years as the Ngāti Toa Rangatira representative on our iwi shareholder council, Te Taumata and in his recent role as Co-Chair.

Taku, with others, was instrumental in bringing the iwi of Te Waipounamu together to form Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu back in 2014. He has spent decades serving his whānau, hapū, iwi and the wider Māori population and it is wonderful to see his commitment and hard work recognised.

Taku, along with Christine Panapa, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit – one of the highest honours bestowed each year. We also acknowledge Professor Rawinia Higgins, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori language, education and governance.

A number of people were also made Companions of the King’s Service Order for their work supporting survivors throughout the abuse in care inquiry. Their work to bring some of the country’s darkest days into the open and seek justice will never be forgotten.

Gary Michael Williams, MNZM – For services to survivors of abuse in care

James William Goodwin – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Tristram Richard Ingham, ONZM – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Leoni Frances McInroe – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Paora Crawford Moyle – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Moeapulu Frances Eileen Tagaloa – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Keith Vernon Wiffin – For services to survivors of abuse in care

Paul Andrew Zentveld – For services to survivors of abuse in care

We extend our best wishes particularly to Gary Michael Williams, MNZM. He and his wife, Ruth, are valued partners through He Whakapiki Mauri and are strong advocates for the tangata whaikaha community.

We also congratulate the following recipients of the King’s Service Medal.

Rangimahora Mokomoko Reddy – for her services to Māori health and so much more. Rangimahora has been Chief Executive Officer for Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust since 2010. Her work with kaumātua or those she describes as “nga mātauranga taonga” makes Rauawaawa a very special place to be.

Rangimahora has spent the past three decades working in both the health and education sectors and we hope to work with Rauawaawa on a research kaupapa that supports the hauora of kaumātua here in Te Waipounamu.

Other King’s Service Medal recipients are:

Toni Lee James Jarvis – For services to survivors of abuse in care.

Michael Joseph Ledingham – For services to survivors of abuse in care.

Darryl William Smith – For services to survivors of abuse in care.