Mr Robert Edwards, of Opotoki, MNZM for services to the community and governance
Mr Robert Edwards is Chair of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board. Working with the Ministry for Primary Industries, he helped develop the Whakatōhea Fisheries Trust and serves as the inaugural Director. He worked with the local Mayor, iwi and researchers, finding that the Ōpōtiki site could produce mussels faster than other local sources. This led to the establishment of Whakatōhea Mussels Ōpōtiki Limited to commercialise this opportunity. He is Director of Mataraupo Housing, Kaumatua of Te Tāwharau Establishment Committee, and 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.