Mrs Gail Thompson, of Bluff, MNZM for services to Māori and conservation
Mrs Gail Thompson (Ngāi Tahu) is Manager of Awarua Runaka, providing leadership in fisheries management. She was Te Runanga o Awarua representative to Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. She was a founding member of Guardians of Fiordland Fisheries. She has served on the Southland Conservation Board and Kaitiaki Rōpū and has contributed leadership to conservation projects.
She advocates for Ngāi Tahu access to taonga species and materials for customary cultural use. She leads Korowai Wānanga at Te Rau Aroha Marae. Mrs Thompson was a founding member and co-chair of what is now Whakamana Te Waituna, and was instrumental to restoration of the Waituna Lagoon and surrounding wetland areas.