Mere Balzer
Mere Balzer, of Hamilton, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori health. She established the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Waiariki Polytechnic and was also instrumental in setting up the School of Nursing at Te Whare Wananga O Awanui A Rangi. She is the Chief Executive of the Te Rūnanga O Kirikiriroa Trust, the urban Māori authority for Hamilton. She has been a member of a number of boards, trusts, and committees aimed at improving Māori health, including Te Kaunihere o Ngā Neehi Māori Executive. Ms Balzer has also sat on the Bay of Plenty Ethics Committee, the Waikato District Health Board and is a member of the Iwi Māori Council.