Mrs Pauline Smith, of Riverton, MNZM, for services to Pacific arts and the community
Pauline Smith is Chairperson of Mīharo Murihiku Trust, previously the Murihiku Māori and Pasifika Cultural Trust.
She was a founding member of the first Murihiku Polyfest, which has grown to a week-long event including an annual art exhibition, community projects, art workshops and mentoring, with more than 7,500 youth performing to 40,000 attendees. She authored the book ‘Dawn Raid’ for Scholastic’s My New Zealand Story series, highlighting the controversial raids on alleged Pacific overstayers and the activist work of the Polynesian Panthers, along with an education package to accompany the book. The book led into the touring ‘Polynesian Panthers’ exhibition, which Mrs Smith spearheaded.