While being recognised as an "inspirational leader" is an honour for Gaylene Sciascia, it is one shared with those who have helped her celebrate the cultural diversity of New Zealand through dance.
In the New Year Honours announced today, Mrs Sciascia was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to dance.
Aside from being a champion dancer, she founded New Zealand's first professional modern dance company, established the Whitireia Performing Arts course - the first of its kind - and is celebrated as a "visionary in the development of contemporary dance that celebrates the cultural diversity of Aotearoa".
Although born in Auckland, and now residing in Wellington, Central Hawke's Bay holds a special place for Mrs Sciascia.
Her husband Piri is from Porongahou, and it was at the town's Rongomaraeroa marae where Mrs Sciascia instigated the first National Dance Congress in 1976.
"We've had a lot to do with Porongahou because that's home with the marae there," she said. "and Porongahou marae has had an amazing connection with my dance world too."
"I think it was from my dance background, and meeting and marrying Piri that the whole dream and vision of bicultural and contemporary Maori dance was born really."
She was a spearhead of the movement - as well as founding New Dance and being a member of Tamatea Arikinui, her choreography of significant works for the South Pacific Arts Festival, Impulse Dance Theatre, and Royal New Zealand Ballet contributed a new bicultural development grounded in contemporary dance and kaupapa Māori.
Mrs Sciascia later moved into an academic role, lecturing at tertiary institutions before founding Whitireia Performing Arts in 1991.
"I moved from the choreography artist to using the power of culture, and art, and education, and saw how you could touch people's lives through that," she said.
She led the programme for more than 20 years and was instrumental in extensive touring throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.
Mrs Sciascia has also served on various local and national committees including Te Ope o Rehua - Toi Maori and as a Director of Dance Aotearoa New Zealand.
Although humbled to be appointed an officer, Mrs Sciascia said it was an honour she shared with her husband, her family, and "with all the people that came to teach".
"I don't think it's so much about me, but that the work we're doing has been recognised," she said. "That's what makes me feel blessed and proud."