Maori Party Celebrates Impressive Talent in the New Year Honours

Maori Party Co-leader, Te Ururoa Flavell, is ‘blown away’ with the incredible diverse range of talents represented in the 2014 New Year Honours.

“As MP for Waiariki I am delighted to acknowledge Sir Toby Curtis for his lifetime devotion to Maori education (KNZM); our local international hero and Toastmaster Extraordinaire, Kingi Biddle (QSM for services to Maori and mental health) and Kathleen Jehly who was awarded a MNZM for her expertise, including establishing the first bilingual early childhood centre in Rotorua”.

“Toby’s leadership – as Chair of Nga Kura a Iwi o Aotearoa; of the regional Whanau Ora leadership team for Te Arawa; Chair of Te Arawa Lakes trust and previously as Chair of Te Mangai Paho – is outstanding on many levels. But for many of us his brave courage in working with his whanau to address issues that confronted them has been inspirational, in taking a collective stand to safeguard their future”.

‘The talents of tangata whenua extend across the globe with Peter Cooper, of Ngati Kahu, Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri, honoured for his real estate and retail developments in Texas, Washington, and California (CNZM). Back home, the honours stretch the full length of Aotearoa from Michael Skerrett of Invercargill; Chair of the Kaitiaki Roopu Murihiku Advisory Committee and Waihopai Runaka (QSM) to the legendary Hekenukumai Busby of Northland (ONZM). Hekenukumai has been closely involved with the Waitangi National Trust for more than fifty years. He has earnt a distinguished profile both nationally and around the globe for his work in restoring the waka Ngātokimatawhaorua, becoming the first Maori to be appointed as a Polynesian Master Navigator”.

“Commitment to uplifting our general health and wellbeing is recognised in the honours accorded to the kuia, Te Maari Joe of Napier who receives the ONZM for her services to Maori and the community; and Molly (Amoroa) Luke – General Manager of Te Hauora o Ngati Rarua in Blenheim (MNZM). Marj Joe, as she is affectionately known, has been actively engaged with Te Kupenga Hauora-Ahuriri Trust over the last twenty years; as well as being involved with traditional Maori medicine.

“We recognise our friends of the cloth – Reverend Judith Anne Cooper who received a QSM for services to Maori arts and the community; Jill McVinnie (QSM for services to ecclesiastical embroidery) and the Archbishop Most Reverend Sir David Moxon who was knighted for services to Anglican church”.

ENDS

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