June 05, 2018
Queens Birthday honours for arts, sport and service
The producer of Taika Waititi’s breakthrough short, Two Cars One Night, and hit feature Boy, Ainsley Gardner, has been made a Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film and television.
Ms Gardiner’s production company Whenua Films was formed in 2004 to bring indigenous storytelling to the screen. Her new company, Miss Conceptions, is focused on producing films by women writers and filmmakers.
Other new Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit named in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List include:
– Dr Sharon Gemmell from Te Atiawa ki Te Tau Ihu, the director of Blenheim’s Koru Institute of Training and Education, for services to Maori and education.
– Gabrielle Huria, a former Ngai Tahu communications manager and chair of Tuahiwi Mare and social services organisation Emerge Aotearoa, for services to Maori and governance;
– Laura Mariu, the captain of the Kiwi Ferns’ 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup squad, who has also represented New Zealand in karate, softball, touch rugby, and tag football.
– Palmerston North Reserve Trust chair Liz Mellish, for services to Maori and governance;
– Christine Panapa, a former NZ Womens Rugby League president and chair of Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society, for services to sport and Maori;
– Northland clean rivers campaigner Millan Ruka;
Queens Services Medals went to:
– Southland Conservation Board member Stewart Bull for services to conservation and Maori;
– Raymond Coffin, who has been associated with the Maori Wardens Association in Mangakino for more than 50 years;
– Hiriwa Curnow, the former long-serving head of Maori studies at Tauranga’s Otumoetai College, for services to Maori and education;
– Former Maori hostel matron and United Maori Mission Choir founder May Mackey, for services to prison support;
– Maera Maki-Anderson of Murupara, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
– Hatete Joe Manuaku of Katikati for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community;
– Whangarei kuamatua Richard Shepherd for services to Maori and the community.
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