Helping others brings surprise

Rotorua woman Hariata Paikea has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to health and Maori.

When Rotorua's Hariata Paikea was told she would receive a Queen's Birthday Honour, she thought to herself "surely there is somebody more deserving".

Mrs Paikea, who has worked tirelessly as a leader and mentor for more than half a century, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the honours list for her services to health and Maori.

She has supported young people as an advisor and kuia with Horohoro School and Kohanga Reo, and as a foster parent.

Mrs Paikea played a fundamental role in the establishment of the Tipu Ora Health Centre in Rotorua, and is a trustee of both the Nurse Cameron Memorial Trust and the Janet Fraser House, which is used as a facility for alcohol and other drug counselling services.

She also supported the Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust for many years as a trustee, which provides services for clients with addiction issues.

Mrs Paikea's further contributions including serving as the president of the Women's Health League for Horohoro since 1975, and the national body since 2005, and as a representative for women's health through the Whanau Ora Collective.

Mrs Paikea is an active member of Te Arawa Pukenga Koeke Iwi elders council for the region, and takes classes for people wanting to learn more about the culture.

She told the Rotorua Daily Post that her passion for helping people was her main driver.

"I like helping and I have always liked working among people rather than sitting at home twiddling my fingers. I always want to do what I can."

The honour did come as quite a surprise, she said. "I thought to myself, do I deserve this? Surely there's somebody out there doing something much more deserving."

Mrs Paikea said the highlight from her 60 years of service was meeting lovely people from all walks of life.