Lindsay Paku
Lindsay Paku, of Hastings, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to Māori and Māori youth. Mr Paku negotiated with the Hastings branch of Child, Youth and Family (CYFS) to deliver social services for Māori in the region. He established the Heretaunga Māori Executive Whanau Services and has been the coordinator of the service since 1990. He built up many services and developed policies and cohesion between the practices and procedures of CYFS to better support those in the area. He developed follow-up programmes for youth placed in foster care. As a result, six foster homes were established which provide longer term care and various programmes, including home maintenance, horse-riding, hangi making, and cooking. He has also been instrumental in encouraging youth to get involved in voluntary community work.