December 29, 2017
Kia ora Dames and Knights
Kia ora Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish.
The former tolls operator who caused a furore by extending a Maori greeting to callers has been named a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Yar’s Honour’s list for a lifetime of service to Maori and the community.
Dame Rangimarie says she is proud to be the first from Ngati Whatua and the first from her hapu Ngati Te Rino and Ngati Hine to hold the title.
She says Rangimarie is the name she was not allowed to use because her grandmother did not want it mispronounced by Pakeha schoolteachers.
Apart from her advocacy for te reo Maori, she has also served on the Maori fisheries settlement trust Te Ohu Kaimoana, chaired Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua, been president of the Maori Party, and worked for many years in Maori health.
She says the title won’t slow her down, and will make her more determined to make progress in areas such as improving Maori mental health and reforming the justice system.
Also made a Dame is former National list MP and minister Georgina te Heuheu of Ngati Tuwharetoa.
Dame Georgina had a long career as a lawyer before entering parliament, and served on the Royal Commission on Maori Reserved Lands and on the Waitangi Tribunal.
She chairs the board of Maori Television and is deputy chair of the Tuwharetoa Settlement Trust.
Other new dames were former Labour deputy leader Annette King and fashion designer and World co-fonder Denise L’Estrange-Corbet.
Former Ministry for Maori Affairs head John Clarke was made a Knight Companion for services to Maori and heritage.
Other new knights are former Court of Appeal judge and Law Commission president Douglas White and former All Black Bryan Williams.
Children’s author Joy Cowley was made a Member of the Order of New Zealand, the nation’s highest honour.
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