Mere Selwyn

Mere Selwyn, of Manukau, received the Queen's Service Medal at an investiture ceremony on 31 March for services to Māori and the community.  Mrs Selwyn has been involved in the Manukau community for many years.  She is the chairperson of the board of trustees of Mountain View School and under her leadership, the school went from a failing decile 1 school to being awarded the best New Zealand School of Year Award.  She played a key role in the establishment of the Te Kohanga Reo o Maanuka.  She is also involved in the wider community as a community kuia on-call, who visits prisoners at Paremeremo Prison and patients at Middlemore Hospital.  She also teaches waiata, kapa haka, and karakia at the local Māori Anglican Church, has promoted te reo on local radio stations.