A man at the heart of his community recognised for decades of service: Mr Martin Kaipo

Mr Martin Kaipo (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Te Hau Āwhiowhio o Otangarei Trust, which has provided holistic social services in Whangārei since 1991. Through the Trust, Mr Kaipo has provided a wide range of support services to the community, including access to culturally tailored health services, mental health support and addiction recovery, transitional housing, employment support, budgeting advice, counselling, and youth development programmes. He works with urban communities with complex and high needs Māori youth and their whānau, and has been Director of three residential facilities. Mr Kaipo is a respected advocate for Māori development, advocating for improved outcomes, leading policy discussions and sharing successful kaupapa Māori frameworks with other organisations nationally and internationally. Martin becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.