Mr Tama Waipara, of Gisborne, MNZM for services to Māori music
Mr Tama Waipara (Ngāti Ruapani, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) is founder, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival. He was Creative Associate of the Auckland Arts Festival. He is a Waiata Māori Music Awards Ambassador and has advocated for equitable Māori representation at the New Zealand Music Awards. He has been a member of Pūatatangi, the national committee of Māori musicians, and has supported rangatahi through the ‘Pao! Pao! Pao! Tuakana-Teina Mentoring programme’. He is Deputy Chair of Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust and a Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum Board Member. Mr Waipara has composed film soundtracks and won Best Roots Album at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards.