Professor Sir Timoti Karetu, KNZM, of Havelock North, for services to the Māori language
Professor Sir Timoti Karetu served as the inaugural Māori Language Commissioner from 1987 to 1999.
He was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the Māori language in 1993. After stepping down as Māori Language Commissioner, he served as Executive Director of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust until 2003. He remains the current Chairman of the Trust. He was a key instigator of the establishment of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, the Institute of Excellence in Māori Language, in 2003 and has been the Executive Director since inception. The Institute provides the most advanced Māori language academic course for adult students across New Zealand. He has been a regular contributor at national and international symposia, delivering presentations and papers on indigenous language revival and retention. Professor Sir Timoti has been involved with the National Film Archive and has served on the Boards of Te Waka Toi, Toi Māori, and the National Library, as well as being Chairperson of Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival Committee and Te Māngai Pāhō.