Tahi Takao, Motueka, QSM
For services to Māori. Mr Takao was involved in developing Māori mental health services in Canterbury for more than 13 years. In the 1990s he was a cultural advisor to the Department of Social Welfare, and then was a member of the Rolleston Prison Board for six years. From 1991 to 2005 he was Cultural Advisor to the Mental Health Division of the Canterbury Area Health Board/Healthlink South, supporting Māori consumers of mental health services and directly contributing to the establishment of He Korowai Ataawhai, a Māori mental health team. He was on the National Advisory Group for Child, Youth and Family. He was a member of the Primary Health Care Organisation Board from 2005 to 2008. Mr Takao is a kaumātua of the Iwi Health Board of the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board. He has also been involved with the Māori Golf Association for many years, helping to organise numerous tournaments.