Dame Cindy with Peter Chemis, on behalf of the late Mr John Chemis, of Gisborne, MNZMfor services to education
The late John Chemis was CEO of the Eastbay Regional Education Activities Programme (REAP) and Deputy Chair of REAP Aotearoa New Zealand. At Eastbay REAP, he focused on the development of rural areas, community development, and working with young Māori and their whānau. He helped initiate a driver licence programme for local youth and played a lead role in hosting a Gifted and Talented Education Mini Symposium with a theme of Māori succeeding as Māori. Following the Edgecumbe floods, he directed his staff to provide support. Mr Chemis was a board member at Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu, New Zealand’s largest state school.