Vera Wilson, Ohakune, MNZM, for services to Māori, music and the community
Mrs Vera Wilson has been the music leader for Maungarongo Marae, including the Ohakune community, for 50 years. As a singer and guitarist she accompanies the marae and its kapa haka items at home and away. She is responsible for the singing programme at the local Catholic Church. She has been a member of the Ruapehu Māori Catholic Club since 1969 and is the longest-serving guitarist in the history of the Hui Aranga Festival held during Easter weekend for the last 66 years. In 2004 she became a judge in the chorale section of the Hui Aranga. She is also a life member of both the Hui Aranga and the Ruapehu Māori Catholic Club. She has supported the annual memorial services for the Tangiwai Disaster for the last 30 years. She has been associated with te reo and Māori culture, especially in the field of music at Ohakune Primary School, Ruapehu College, Manu Kōrero Te Kohanga Reo and currently at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Rangi. Mrs Wilson has been involved with her local community including as trustee of Maungarongo Marae, Ngāti Rangi Community Health Board, Ruapehu College Board of Trustees and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Rangi.