"I feel that what I am doing is part of my job and profession. So I feel appreciated by the teachers and school community who work with myself and our teaching teams; and also by those in school communities that I'm involved with as we create destinations and experiences for learners to participate in."
Mr Chapman said the honour was the result of all the effort and collaboration that went into planning and working with Board of Trustees, staff, teachers and communities.
"The support staff and teaching teams that have worked towards promoting learning experiences for our school communities are all like-minded and onboard, so you can easily support learners to be confident participators.
"I don't know who nominated me but I'd like to thank those persons - obviously, they appreciate our efforts.
"I'd like to pay tribute to my wife Maraea (and whanau whanui), many know her as the huge support behind myself and our schools supporting us in a plethora of ways as how support staff do - having those robust arguments, working out the practicalities and the logic.
"I'd like to acknowledge the BOTs and teachers, and communities and committees - that revolve around our school district for their roles - that have made it interesting and fun to achieve the promotions we do for our akonga, our learners.
"He tangata he tangata he tangata - it is people you need that work together and to build relationships - can't do it without you."
Mr Chapman is also chairman of the Eastern Zone schools sports organisation committee and chairman of Wairoa Ross Shield Rugby Tournament organising committee.
He has also supported ecological education and conservation initiatives, including the planting of a native garden on land next to Nuhaka School, the establishment and planting of Mokotahi Reserve at Mahia Beach and community clean-ups of Mahia Peninsula.
He is a member of the Wairoa Principals Association, the Rural Education Activities Programme, and a member support for the New Zealand Education Institute.
