Dr Arapera Royal Tangaere, CNZM, of Wellington, for services to Māori and education
Dr Arapera Royal Tangaere has been the voice of Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust since 1982. As a National Advisor and Manager with the Trust, she has enhanced learning for children, providing quality oversight of the curriculum and teaching qualifications.
She has been instrumental in the growth of the Te Kōhanga Reo movement, the total immersion in Māori language and values for preschool children, from fewer than ten early childhood centres to more than 460.
She has helped the Trust work with the Ministry of Education, without compromising the kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo. She has been a key contributor to the Te Kōhanga Reo curriculum.
Dr Royal Tangaere has represented the Trust on government early childhood education working groups to encourage families to utilise Te Kōhanga Reo.