Dr Diane Mara
Dr Diane Mara, of Napier, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 24 March 2009 for services to the Pacific Islands community. Dr Mara has contributed to teacher education and educational research for more than 35 years. She has been a primary school teacher and lecturer in teacher education and has worked to improve educational resources for Maori and Pacific Island children and women. She has researched many aspects of Pasifika education. She is the national president of PACIFICA. She has also been a member of the think tank that developed the Pacific Women's Economic Development Plan. Dr Mara is a member of the Pacific Women's Economic Development Advisory Board.