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December 30, 2014
Dame Tariana Turia tops New Years Honours
Waatea Team
Posted On December 30, 2014
Former Maori Party leader Tariana Turia has been made a Dame Companion of the Order of New Zealand for services as a Member of Parliament.
The former Maori Affairs community officer and hauora manager entered parliament as a Labour list MP in 1996, just a year after taking a leading role in the occupation on Pakaitore-Moutoa Gardens.
She won the seat of Te Tai Hauauru in 2002, but split from Labour in 2004 over the Foreshore and Seabed Act, forcing a by-election in her seat which she won convincingly.
She then formed the Maori Party, and became part of the National-led Government in 2008, serving two terms as a minister.
Among the eight new knights is Auckland lawyer and social justice campaigner Peter Williams QC.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says their contributions and that of the others on the list have done much to shape the social fabric of New Zealand.
Rob Cooper of Ngati Hine has been made a Companion of the order for services to Maori health. He was also an influential voice in the debate about decolonisation, particularly among Catholic communities.
New Officers of the Order of New Zealand include Dr Monty Soutar of Gisborne for services to Maori and historical research, Ngai Tahu kaumatua Kukupa Tirikatene of Auckland for services to Maori and education, and Colleen Urlich of Dargaville for services to Maori art.
Auckland scholar Dr Huhana Hickey was made a member of the order for services to people with disabilities, and Roma Ruruku Hippolite, now of Keilor, Australia, was made a member for services to Maori and health.
Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says the Maori Party is also proud Aroha Campbell of Rotorua has been recognised with a QSM for her multiple successes as an entrepreneur.
Others recognized include Hinetaina (Budgie) McIlroy of Tolaga Bay for her services to the community; Teariki Mei of Wairoa; Hoana Pearson for her contribution to Maori education; Chris Hill, a respected leader within Mana whenua ki Mohua, for her services to healthcare; and Wayne Hurunui for more than three decades of voluntary service to the Shannon Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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