Ms Heke-Turoa Huata, ONZM, of Havelock North, for services to Māori and education
Heke-Turoa Huata (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Porou) was a foundational member of Te Waka Tapu o Takitimu, now Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, and has served as a tutor, administrator, tour manager and performer. She established Te Kōhanga Reo (TKR) o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, a high-performing flagship model. She has been a long-serving national and regional manager for Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and helped establish the first teaching certification at degree level for TKR. She established Te Kura Kaupapa Māori (TKKM) o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, the first TKKM in Hastings, Napier and Te Wairoa, which now offers a secondary schooling option. Ms Huata has held several governance roles and is currently a Waipatu Marae committee member.