The Honorable Willie Jackson
Te Minita Whanaketanga Maori
Minister of Maori Development
he mihi
Kei aku rangatira kua whakawhiwhia koutou ki ngā tohu à tō tātou kuīni hei whakanui nui i à koutou mahi rangatira i hāpai i te manotini puta noa ia Aotearoa. Ko koutou ngā tino taira. I whanake i ngā hapori, iwi, hapū, whānau me te motu anō hoki. Mauri ora ki a koutou i ēnei tohu rangatira.
To all the recipients of the Queen’s Honors to celebrate all of your outstanding work through our people of Aotearoa. You are all examples that enhance the congratulations of our community, iwi, hapū, whānau and country for honors.
Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson today pays tribute to three outstanding Maori who were recognized in the 2022 New Year’s Honor Roll for their achievements.
“The New Year’s Honors List recognizes the accomplishments and service of people across Aotearoa, from all walks of life. I would like to thank in particular Lisa Carrington for his service to the canoe races, Robert Nairn Gillies for his service to the Maori and the remembrance of the war, and Peter Broughton for his services to the Maori cinema and theater.
“Their accomplishments are extraordinary and make us all incredibly proud,” said Willie Jackson.
Lisa Marie Carrington, MNZM, named Dame Companion of the New Zealand of Merit (DNZM):
Lisa Carrington of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Ngāti Porou, is New Zealand’s most successful Olympian, having won six Olympic medals since the 2012 Games, five gold and one bronze, out of a total of 23 medals during his canoe racing career.
She coaches young paddlers at her home club in Ōhope and works with Canoe Racing New Zealand (CRNZ) to develop the sport. The success of CRNZ’s performance program since 2017 is attributed to its accomplishments, profile and the sharing of its performance funding. In 2021, Lisa was named the most influential Maori sports personality of the past 30 years on the show “Māori Sports Awards 30 in 30”.
“Lisa is a great example of mana wāhine and a role model for all the women of Aotearoa,” said Willie Jackson.
Robert Nairn Gillies, named Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM):
Robert Gillies or Bom as he is affectionately called, is a descendant of the Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Whakaue, he is the last remaining member of the 28th Maori Battalion and served in B Company during World War II from 1942 to 1945, in across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and mainly in Italy.
“For over 20 years, Bom has represented the men and service of the battalion at national and international events. He became a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2019. Mr. Gillies has been a director of the 28th Māori Battalion B Company History Trust since 2013. He is an active member of his iwi Ngāti Whakaue and his marae, Te Arawa Returned. Services Association, Waikite Rugby Club and 28th Maori Battalion B Company History Trust.
“Bom is a reluctant recipient, he is a man of integrity and humility and has agreed to accept this knight’s title to honor the memory of the magnificent Maori Battalion,” said Willie Jackson.
Peter Broughton (Rāwiri Paratene), ONZM, appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM):
Rāwiri Paratene of Ngāpui descent is an acclaimed actor, writer and director for stage and film, who has been active for over five decades and was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013 for his contributions .
“Rāwiri has long campaigned for the use of Maori te reo and was a member of the Ngā Tamatoa movement which campaigned for the teaching of Maori in schools after founding the Wellington branch. He has directed the language learning shows “Kōrero Mai” and “Whānau”.
“Rāwiri has always been a strong political supporter of the Maori, he is a former supporter of Mana Motuhake and a strong supporter of the Green Party, of which his daughter, the Honorable Marama Davidson, is co-leader. Rawiri’s most recent live performance was ‘Peter Paka Paratene’ which he performed in Parliament in 2021, “said Willie Jackson.
