Mr Waihaere Mason, of Nelson, ONZM for services to Māori and education
Waihaere Mason (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Rārua, Te Atiawa o Te Waipounamu) is Chairperson of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia. He held a leading role within the Kurahaupō Iwi Large Natural Group negotiating settlements through the Waitangi Tribunal process, the initial Aquaculture Settlement and settlement for Water Space. He is a founding member of Te Putahitanga – Whānau Ora o Te Waipounamu and Co-Chair of Te Hoiere Project. He has liaised with local councils and organisations in an iwi partnership involving Matauranga Ahumara Certification in horticulture to maximise collectively owned Whānau lands. Mr Mason was Chairperson of the Whakatū Marae Komiti and Project Manager for the Te Hora Marae rebuild.