Barbara Mahutonga, New Plymouth, QSM
For services to early childhood education. Mrs Mahutonga has been committed to early childhood education and to creating generational positive changes in parenting practice for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Playcentre movement in Tokoroa for many years. When she moved to Taranaki in 1987 she became involved in establishing Kōhanga Reo in the area and was a Kōhanga Reo teacher. She took up a position as a parent educator for the ‘Parents as First Teachers’ programme 18 years ago. At 76 she continues to work full-time in this position, visiting up to 60 families a month. She is renowned for being responsive, empowering, and deeply committed to the families she works with. She is a respected kuia in the Taranaki area.