Kumiko Duxfield, of Auckland, Honorary MNZM for services to the Japanese community
Kumiko Duxfield is the Secretary and former Vice President of the New Zealand Japan Society of Auckland. She has organised a number of cultural initiatives, including a Japanese tea ceremony club, Japanese language classes for New Zealanders and a haiku and shodo competition. She established and continues to administer the biannual event Taste of Japan, which showcases Japanese culture to as many as 25,000 people. She founded the Haere-mai Taiko Group, the first Japanese drumming team in New Zealand. The Haere-mai Taiko Group were official entertainers for all Japan games at the Rugby World Cup 2011 and performed at the World Masters Games in 2017.