Ms Tara Moala, of Auckland, MNZM, for services to the community and environment
Tara Moala (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Māhanga Hourua, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Paoa, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Ngā Rauru) founded Rākau Tautoko, which supports Community Development Practitioners to engage and empower communities through environmental and social projects. She takes on the role of tuakana and ensures all projects are for the community and remain within the community. She has helped create many environmental projects. As the Outcomes Manager with Tāmaki Regeneration Company, she designed a system for repurposing old housing stock and built up local Māori and Pacific entities to create sustainable projects, products and services. Ms Moala established a food access programme during the COVID-19 pandemic for her community.