Mrs Kaa Williams and Mr Tawhiri Williams, of Auckland, CNZM for services to Māori and education
Kaa Williams (Ngāti Tuhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Haka-Patuheuheu) and her husband, Tawhiri Williams (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mahuta, Whakatohea, Ngaitai Ki Torere, Te Whanau Ā Apanui, Ngāti Tuhoe), established the private learning institution Te Wānanga Takiua o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa in 2000, where Mrs Williams continues as Pouako Matua and Mr Williams is Chief Executive. Their one-year total-immersion Rumaki Reo course has led to an increased number of qualified Te Reo Māori teachers, and agencies such as the New Zealand Police and Customs Service fund their staff to attend these courses annually.The couple established the Judge Karina Williams Scholarship, for aspiring Māori lawyers, in memory of their late daughter. They have engaged with senior members of the judiciary through an evening learning facility for Te Reo fluency and tikanga. Mr Williams and Mrs Williams were senior judges of Te Matatini performing arts in Auckland and nationally.