Victor Walker received his New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro in Wellington this week. Mr Walker was recognised for his 35 years of service to the Māori community in Tairāwhiti. Uawa-based, Mr Walker has supported and facilitated Māori hui and marae-based wānanga programmes inUawa, Tolaga Bay since 1985. He is currently a team leader for Uawa Covid Response Committee. He has been the chairman of Te Aitanga a Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust since 2010, leading the design and implementation of iwi, hapu, marae and school learning opportunities and pathways. He is also the chairman of Uawa Cultural Haka Groups and E Tipu Kohanga Reo Uawa (since 2010). He has been involved in ensuring the survival and revitalisation of te reo Māori.
