Ms Gair McRae, of Auckland,QSM,for services to theatre and youth
Ms McRae established the Huntly Children’s Theatre as a young primary school teacher. She then started teaching drama from her Howick home and at the Howick Little Theatre Youth group. She established the Bucklands Beach Children’s Theatre, where she often self-funded props, running costs and hall hire. She later established Uxbridge Children’s and Youth Theatre, which became the Howick Children’s and Youth Theatre (HCYT). She is a Life Member of HCYT and has taught thousands of children over the years. More than 500 students attend HCYT classes each week, and Ms McRae remains involved in teaching these classes.