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June 02, 2025
The King Honours the mahi of Maori across all walks of life
Waatea Team
Posted On June 2, 2025
The Kings Birthday Honours list is out & there are a number of our whanau Maori that are bring honoured. Here is a breakdown:
Now a Knight – this recognition is as clear as day: Mark Cooper
The Honourable Sir Mark Cooper (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui). Former President of the Court of Appeal from April 2022 to November. Retired Court of Appeal Judge and a High Court Judge from 2004. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the government appointed him to chair the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission
Sir Mark advised on the amalgamation of the Auckland Super City and has been on a range of Boards.
A leader with distinction & Mana continues to lead the way: Bill Nathan
Mr Bill Nathan ( Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa). Is a former New Zealand Parliamentary ‘Black Rod’. He is an ordained Priest in Hui Amorangi Ki Te Upoko O Te Ika. Nathan has also co-led the Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club for the past six decades, guiding numerous generations of young Māori in Wellington in their search for cultural connectivity and identity, and representing Aotearoa-New Zealand as cultural ambassadors internationally.
He is a Trustee of the National Health and Disability Advocacy Service Trust, and Board member of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network and chaired its Treaty Partner Te Rōpū Ārahi until retiring in 2024. Mr Nathan and his wife Donas provided care for young persons for the Children and Young Persons Service. Bill is now a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
She’s helped many soar in song now this songbird is soaring: Cath Andersen
Cath Andersen (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) has been Chief Executive of the New Zealand Music Commission (NZMC) since its inception in 2000, providing leadership and support to the New Zealand music industry for 25 years. She has helmed New Zealand Music Month since its inception in 2001, which has become a cornerstone of the cultural calendar, fostering national pride and boosting awareness of local music. Cath has advocated for the power of music to effect positive change in society, through initiatives such as Music Mentoring in Schools, and the music support and mental health charity MusicHelps. She adds CNZM: To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit to the great song book that is Aotearoa.
One of the greatest women’s rugby players ever is honoured by the King: Mrs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Mrs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahu) is considered one of the greatest women’s rugby players ever, having been recognised as the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year and World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade in 2020. An advocate for gender equality in sports promoting more investment and support for women’s rugby, including participating in various programmes providing mentorship, training, and resources to help young women develop their sports skills and confidence.
Well now Portia can add Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit to the list of accolades!
AWARDS: World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Decade, 2020, Māori Sportswoman of the Year, 2017, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, 2015, 2017
Educator, scholar, leader – an absolute inspiration!: Dr Lesley Rameka
Dr Lesley Rameka (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe) is an influential scholar and educator highly regarded in early childhood education (ECE). She is the leading Māori academic in early learning in New Zealand, dedicating over 30 years to ensuring tamariki have quality education and a deep understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori. Her work on curriculum, assessment and teaching qualifications has been instrumental in professionalising Māori-medium ECE. Dr Rameka was National President of Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand between 2018 and 2023 and remains a Council member. Lesley is now a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Leader, inspiration & heart of the Kaupapa: Mr Joe Conrad
Mr Joe Conrad (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hauā) has been a member of the Committee of Ngā Waka Federation since 1996 and an executive member since 2003, also serving as the kaihautū (captain) of Ngātokimatawhaorua.
Mr Conrad is a driving force behind the Waitangi Day waka commemorations, overseeing waka crews from across the country during five days of training and events. He has forged relationships through waka culture with indigenous communities on the Northwest Coast of America since 2005 and in the Netherlands since 2010. Mr Conrad became kaumatua and cultural advisor on the Board of Tautoko Tane Male Survivors Te Tai Tokerau in 2023, supporting male survivors of sexual violence. Joe adds Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit to his awesome list of accomplishments.
Shes a champion Olympian & one of our vey own to boot!: Ms Ellesse Andrews
Ms Ellesse Andrews (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) is a world champion cyclist and four-time Olympic medallist. She went on to win three gold medals and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and two golds and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. She became the second New Zealander to win three medals in a single Olympic Games, and now ranks as New Zealand’s sixth most successful Olympian. Through her role in the Athlete
Leaders Group, she has been a key driver of applying tīkanga Māori to Cycling New Zealand’s programme. Ms Andrews, is an advocate for mental health and regularly participates in awareness campaigns. Ellesse is now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
From the farmgate to helping grow the Maori economy Whakatōhea leader recognised: Mr Robert Edwards
Mr Robert Edwards (Te Whakatohea) joined the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board in 2004 and has served as Chair since 2006. As Chair he guided the Trust during a turbulent time and implemented several goals and initiatives to increase the Trust’s engagement and trust with the community. Working with the Ministry for Primary Industries, he helped develop the Whakatōhea Fisheries Trust and has served as the inaugural Director since. Since 2023 he has been Director of Mataraupo Housing, Kaumatua of Te Tāwharau Establishment Committee, and is a member of Ngāti Rua Marae Committee. Mr Edwards has been a member of Ōpōtiki Rugby Club and a committee member of the Whakatōhea Farms since 2012. Now hes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Educator, leader & dedicated to the Kaupapa: Mrs Liz Graham
Mrs Liz Graham (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Toroiwaho) has dedicated more than 40 years to her community and Māori education. She has been associated with Te Aute College for over 40 years, as a hostel staff member, a Board of Trustee and Trust Board before taking up teaching in 2003. She was Deputy Chair from 2015 and Chair from 2017 to 2023 of the Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust, guiding the community through the Treaty settlement process. She has been the Secretary and led the catering of Ōtane Sports Club since 2010. Mrs Graham has been a director of Kāweka Gwavas Forest Trust since 2018, the entity which holds the Kaweka and Gwavas Crown Forest lands for Heretaunga, Tamatea and Ahuriri. Liz becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Meri
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.
Artist extraordinaire – a picture paints a thousand words: Ms Janet Lilo
Ms Janet Lilo (Te Rarawa) is an award-winning artist, educator and advocate for Pacific and rainbow arts and communities. She works across digital video, photography, drawing, sculpture and installation. Her work has been shown at Auckland Art Gallery, Te Papa Tongarewa and Christchurch Art Gallery as well as in Asia, Europe, the United States and across the Pacific. She is a tireless advocate for Pacific artists, creating creative pathways while serving on and chairing the Board of Tautai Pacific Arts Trust between 2008 and 2019. Ms Lilo is a founding director of interdisciplinary arts organisation Whau the People, leading All Goods community gallery in Avondale and nurturing the next generation of artists.
Leader recognised for services to education: Mr Grant McMillan
Mr Grant McMillan (Kāi Tahu) was the Ministry of Education Southern Region Manager for schools and early childhood education from 2001 to 2009. He was Tumuaki/Principal of James Cook High School, Manurewa from 2016 to 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he organised computers for James Cook students to continue learning at home and coordinated school and community-based vaccination clinics throughout Auckland schools, in response to low vaccination rates in Manurewa. He is currently Chairperson of the Charles Upham VC and Bar Centre Trust and the Secretary of the Regimental Association. Mr McMillan served 16 years on the Greendale Reserve Board and more than 20 years, including time as Secretary, with the Canterbury Rugby Referee Association. HONOURS AND AWARDS: Efficiency Decoration, 2001, 2007, 2013, Manurewa Local Board, Local Hero Award, 2022.
Advocate recognised for mahi: Dr Alisha Moeahu
Dr Alisha Moeahu (Ngāti Awa, Ngā Tūhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Hikaairo, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) is recognised for her knowledge of tikanga and mātauranga Māori. She was a kaitautoko-tikanga for morehu during the National Apology of the Crown to those abused in state care. This role included being kaitiaki for kaikaranga wāhine-morehu at both the dawn ceremony and national apology to survivors. She is a co-Pou Tikanga for Parliament. The Doc becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Moeahu is presently Chair of Ngāti Awa ki Te Whanganui ā Tara.
Passionate about the Kaupapa & making a big difference: Dr Malcolm Mulholland
Dr Malcolm Mulholland (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) is co-founded in 2018 and is Chair of He Reo Tūroro o Aotearoa, Patient Voice Aotearoa, an organisation which increases awareness of issues affecting patients and to improve patients’ rights and health outcomes through the health system. Through Patient Voice Aotearoa, he has assisted in the formulation and delivery of more than 20 petitions to Parliament, with requests for more than 50 medicines to be funded, particularly around cancer treatment. Dr Mulholland has published a range of work on Māori history, race-relations and social politics, including ‘Beneath the Māori Moon: An Illustrated History of Māori Rugby’ and ‘A History of St Joseph’s Māori Girls College’. Malcolm becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For services to the Hauora Kaupapa: Dr Max Ronald
Dr Max Ronald (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai) specialises in breast cancer surgery with an interest in oncoplastic techniques and is an advocate for Indigenous Health Equity. She is the first indigenous councillor at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Committee Surgery, and a past Chair of RACS Indigenous Health Committee. In 2024, she was awarded the inaugural Breast Cancer Fellowship from Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa, to address breast cancer inequities and advocate for Māori health equity, with a focus on building Māori capability and leadership in breast cancer research. Dr Ronald is a member of Hei Āhuru Mowai and Te Pae Whakatere (BreastScreen Aotearoa steering group), the Steering Committee for Medical Workforce, the National Māori Pandemic Group, and was a clinical expert advisor for Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority). Dr Ronald becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
An inspiration one and all – including Basketball: Ms Ronnie Thompson
Ms Ronnie Thompson has contributed to basketball in New Zealand for 40 years, as a player, coach and administrator.
Ms Thompson had success at secondary school and United States university levels. She captained the Wellington club team, Morehu, to its first Women’s National Club Championships title in 1984,
continuing her playing career until 2001. She represented New Zealand with the Tall Ferns from 1985 to 1988. She began coaching girls and women at all levels from 1984, from mini-ball, secondary school and club to national age-group teams. Her commitment to kaupapa Māori-driven approaches and community development led her to roles with Sport NZ, Auckland Council, and Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation. She was key in the development of Sport NZ’s ‘He Oranga Poutama’ and the ‘Te Whetū Rehua’ frameworks, seeking to increase Māori participation and leadership in sport and recreation while upholding cultural values. Ronnie becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Decades of service recognised by the King: Hariata Vercoe
Ms Hariata Vercoe (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Kea/Ngāti Tuara, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Makino, Te Rarawa) has provided leadership and service in healthcare and her community, in both professional and voluntary roles, for more than forty years. Ms Vercoe has worked as Chief Executive Officer of Korowai Aroha Health Centre since 2012. She has established a number of successful health and social service programmes including Tāne Takitu Ake for Māori men, Respiratory and Diabetes services, and Hāpū Mama and Community Māori Nursing services. She led the centre’s COVID-19 response and vaccination hub. She has served as a Trustee of the Rotorua Community Hospice Board since November 2020, and Board member of the Nursing Council of New Zealand since 2020. Hariata becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Survivor advocate honoured by the King: Tyrone Marks
Mr Tyrone Marks (Ngāti Raukawa) has been advocating for redress for survivors and recognition of events which occurred at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (Lake Alice Unit). Mr Marks’ contributions have helped highlight the abuse and torture suffered by approximately 360 children and vulnerable adults between 1972 and 1978. He has used his personal experience and challenged the response to the abuse experienced at the Lake Alice Unit. His tireless advocacy across several years culminated in a formal acknowledgement by the government of the abuse and torture of children and young adults at the Lake Alice Unit. He has been a member of the inquiry’s Survivor Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) since 2019. SAGE has helped provide the inquiry with guidance and support to engage with survivors and their representative organisations about their experiences. To be a Companion of the King’s Service Order
Community champion recognised by the King: Phil Paikea
Mr Phil Paikea (Ngāti Whātua, Te Uri O Hau) has drawn on personal experiences of hardship and violence in the 1980s to inform his work for more than 30 years to support safe families and communities, prevent family violence and address drug and alcohol harm. Mr Paikea was a mentor, youth worker and family violence prevention advocate with Bream Bay Community Trust from 1995 to 2019. He is a founder of the White Ribbon Ride. He works with a wide range of organisations from gangs to churches and community groups to offer help and advice. Mr Paikea and his wife organised a drive-through foodbank in their community of Ruakaka during the COVID-19 pandemic, feeding hundreds of people locally and regionally, and provided foster care to 243 children over 20 years. To be a Companion of the King’s Service Order.
Decades long service recognised by the King: Dover Samuels
The Honourable Dover Samuels (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Rēhia) was a Labour Party List Member in the late 1990s before becoming the Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau from 1999 to 2005. He was previously a Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the Far North District Council. He helped establish the Rawini Health Hub to provide primary health care to a rural Māori community. Mr Samuels led the Rainbow Warrior project to sink the wreckage of the vessel and erect a memorial on Matauri Hill and is kaumatua of several organisations. To be a Companion of the King’s Service Order.
Image: Photograph by Millie Pilkington 2024
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