Māori recipients in the 2025 New Year’s Honours list demonstrate a deep commitment to improving communities across the motu, inspiring all New Zealanders, says Māori Development minister Tama Potaka.
35 Māori have been announced as recipients of the New Year’s Honours 2025 including a Dame Companion and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and dozens of others receiving Honours recognition.
Ingrid Collins (Ngāti Porou) is first up being appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori, business and health governance.
“The name Ingrid Collins wields a deep wealth of mana. Her knowledge of whenua has been informed by 50 years of governance to Whāngārā B5 and has been Chair of the Whāngārā Farms partnership since inception in 2006.”
Potaka said Collins has a notable history of mahi, including advocating for Māori land matters at key international forums like the United Nations Indigenous Forum, and through Whāngārā, becoming the first Aotearoa New Zealand beef farm to join McDonald’s flagship farmers’ scheme in 2018.
“Whāngārā Farms won the premiere Māori farming award and was named the Ahuwhenua Māori Farm of the Year for Sheep and Beef in 2009.”
Next on the list is Dr Taku Parai (Ngāti Toa, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Tama) who has recieved the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori, governance and the community.
Potaka said Dr Parai is a true Porirua legend.
He has been a pou at the centre of the community for more than 50 years, including as mana whenua representative to Porirua City Council since 1999.
“Along with his deep contribution to iwi, Dr Parai has held various advisory and committee roles with local organisations including Women’s Refuge, Porirua RSA, the Royal New Zealand Police College, sports clubs and various primary and secondary schools.”
Marama Royal (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) has become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and governance.
Her earlier career demonstrated significant commitment to supporting others through 20 years of mahi with the Ministry of Justice and Courts and 18 years with Victim Support New Zealand.
Potaka recognises Royal’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Foundation North, Sky City Auckland, the University of Auckland, Eden Park and the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.
Potaka acknowledges Linda Te Aho’s (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta, Waikato) achievement in becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and legal education.
“Her mahi has resonated across the mighty Waikato. From sharpening the legal minds at Te Piringa Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, to developing a vision for the magnificent Waikato awa, the influence of Mrs Te Aho has significantly enhanced this rohe,” he said.
