Ms Gaylene Te Rauna, of Wellington, MNZM, for services to Māori and disabled people
Ms Gaylene Te Rauna is Vice President of Ngāti Kāpō Aotearoa, New Zealand’s only national tāngata kāpō Māori (Māori blind, low vision and deaf blind) and tāngata whaikaha Māori (disabled Māori) led organisation. Previously, she represented the organisation on the Coalition of Disabled People’s Organisations, including as meeting Chair, and has been involved in decision-making on government policy and practices. She has held administrative roles with the New Zealand Childcare Association, New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa, Te Taura Wiri I te Reo Māori, and Whānau Care Services with Capital and Coast District Health Board. Ms Te Rauna helped establish a Young Blind Adults Group.