Derek Lardelli
Derek Lardelli, of Gisborne, received the Insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Maori arts, on 5 September. He has contributed to Maori arts nationally and internationally, as a carver, kapa haka performer, composer, graphic designer, and researcher of whakapapa, and kaikorero, but especially as one of the finest ta moko artists. He is considered the pioneer of modern day ta moko and has conducted exhibitions and workshops here and overseas. In 2004, he was the director of the Ta Moko Delegation to the South Pacific Arts Festival in Palau and led a working exhibition at Te Papa as part of the New Zealand Festival of the Arts. He composed the new All Black Haka, Kapa o Pango, designed the logo for the 2006 Commonwealth Games Uniform, and has a design included on selected pieces of the Air New Zealand uniform.