New Year Honours List 2025
We wish to congratulate our friend and colleague Duncan Matthews on being recognised in this year’s Honours List as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rainbow communities.
With an accomplished background blending not-for-profit, philanthropy, healthcare, community development, youth development and Rainbow/LGBTI sectors, Duncan joined our Funding Unit in October 2020, and became an Associate with our Centre of Social Impact from August 2022 to August 2024.
Among many other hats Duncan wears, including Treasurer of the Rule Foundation and associate at Community Think Ltd, he currently works for the Foundation as a consultant, contributing his project management, business systems and digital skills to our mahi.
Read Duncan’s citation here
Every year it is always exciting to see so many community leaders in our rohe being nominated and honoured for the work they do - the New Year Honours List 2025 has been no exception and our congratulations go to everyone cited.
Among the many founders and leaders from organisations the Foundation supports in the List, we acknowledge:
Christine Panapa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Pikiao) of Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society who adds an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori to the MNZM she received in 2018 for services to sport and Māori. This year we celebrated with her whānau and community the opening of Te Kainga Atawhai, a 14 unit papakainga complex Mrs Panapa helped to establish in Ahikiwi, outside Dargaville.
Dr Te Tuhi Robust (Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu, Ngāti Porou) who has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his long-time involvement in the education sector, specialising in Māori education and indigenous studies. He also provided leadership for the stunning refurbishment of Te Wairaki Ngāwha Springs, continuing centuries of geothermal wellness and warmth for visitors near Kaikohe.
Anne Fitisemanu, who was Chief Executive of TupuToa between 2017 and 2024 and is now Chief Executive at Make A Wish Aotearoa. The Foundation is a proud supporter of TupuToa which connects Māori and Pacific business graduates with internship opportunities at corporates, and organisations like Foundation North. Mrs Fitisemanu is recognised with a MNZM for services to business.
Mike Camm co-founded Kiwi Coast in 2013 to expand and connect conservation throughout Te Tai Tokerau, focusing on reintroductions of kiwi and pateke. Kiwi Coast now encompasses more than 225 community groups, iwi and hapu, schools, businesses and government agencies. His MNZM is for services to wildlife conservation.
Iosefo Joseph Fa’afiu who receives a MNZM for services to mental health, youth and the Pacific community. His founding work with HopeWalk to break down stigma surrounding mental health and suicide has had worldwide impact. He currently chairs the Gateway Community Trust and is a Trustee for Planet Youth Partner Papakura, an international prevention model to reduce substance use rates amongst young people.
