Te Oraiti Calcott, Otaki, QSM, for services to Māori and education
Ms Te Oraiti Calcott is a well-respected Māori educator, who has been involved in various education and academic roles, for more than 50 years. She is a fluent speaker of te reo and an expert on Māori language and tikanga, particularly for her skill in karanga. She has a wide knowledge of kapa haka, as a judge, performer and teacher. She was actively involved in the Kohanga Reo movement and supported the establishment of a Kohanga Reo in Porangahau. She served as a representative on the government review of the Kohanga Reo Trust in 1987. She became one of the first secondary school teachers of Māori language and has also supported young Māori graduates to transfer into the workforce, particularly in the education sector. Ms Calcott was previously a trustee of Te Upoko o Te Ika Māori Radio.