Mrs Bina Hepi, of Kawakawa, KSM for services to Māori language education
Mrs Bina Hepi (Ngāti Hine) has been committed to the revitalisation of te reo Maori and tikanga through the Kōhanga Reo movement. She is District Manager of Tai Tokerau for the Kōhanga Reo National Trust, overseeing 10 Kōhanga Reo clusters. She has taught Te Tohu Matauranga Whakapakari Tino Rangatiratanga early learning qualification for Kōhanga Reo. She has encouraged waiata gatherings for Kohanga whānau and has written simple books and waiata for tamariki. Mrs Hepi has been involved with organising celebrations in the region for kaumatua and kuia, regional anniversaries, and graduations of students from their courses.