Mrs Anne Marie Biggs, MNZM, of Auckland, for services to education
Anne Marie Biggs was Principal of Glendowie School from 1995 until retiring in 2021.
She oversaw a transformation of the school, with the roll growing from 163 to 630 and an improved reputation.
She integrated a Montessori unit and led Glendowie to become the first state school in New Zealand to offer the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate.
She introduced an onsite programme for after-school and holiday care, established a state kindergarten within the school grounds, and researched and instigated a successful dyslexia programme.
She has helped establish schools in several countries, including Qatar and Japan. Mrs Biggs has hosted delegations of Principals from Japan and Thailand.