Top award runs in family for community leader

Napier man Toro Waaka was appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Photo/Duncan Brown

A Napier community leader has become the third person in his family to be appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Toro Waaka was humbled to receive the honour which was also given to his mother Awhina Waaka, in 2006, and his father Ted Waaka in 2008.

His sister Ann Motutere was also awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 2000.

Mr Waaka was appointed MNZM for services to Māori and the community due to his involvement in employment, community development, conservation and tourism initiatives over the past 45 years.

The New Zealand Māori Tourism board member said the honour was unexpected and humbling.

He was slightly wary about accepting the appointment because there were many others who deserved it but hoped this would inspire others.

"If we do get recognition I think we should accept it, we want our young people to aspire for better things.

"My receiving this award has got a lot to do with the way I was raised by my parents who were heavily involved in the community."

Mr Waaka was a founding member of the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competitions in the late 1960s and Nga Tamatoa in the 1970s.

He has worked with at-risk youth through Napier YMCA and was the chair of Te Taiwhenua o Whanganui a Orotu, which included an urban marae, a kohanga reo and training and employment schemes.

He has been CEO of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi incorporated and is chair of Hawke's Bay Māori Tourism.

He was a claims researcher and trustee negotiator for the Ngati Pahauwera Development Trust 2012 Treaty of Waitangi Deed of Settlement, of which he is chair.

As a Fisheries Commissioner he helped develop the Māori Fisheries allocation model.

He has chaired the Napier Community Grants Committee and is a member of the Ministry of Social Development National Māori Innovation Reference Group.

He has had influence on council policy and planning as a Māori Liaison Officer for the Wairoa District Council, member of the Hastings District Council Māori Committee and co-chair of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council planning committee.