To be a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
HARDING, Distinguished Professor Jane Elizabeth, ONZM
For services to neonatology and perinatology
Distinguished Professor Jane Harding is a world-leading neonatologist at the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for her services to paediatrics.
Professor Harding assembles, supports, and leads international multi-disciplinary teams to address critical questions in perinatal medicine through world-first research. Her research has investigated how events and interventions during pregnancy, birth, and the newborn period affect the growth, development, and long-term health of babies and their mothers. Her work on the regulation of a baby’s growth before and after birth has led to paradigm changes in the field, nationally and internationally. She identified the impact of low blood sugar levels on premature babies’ brain development and developed a simple and cheap intervention in the form a dextrose gel, which has changed the treatment of babies around the world. She has previously been the Deputy Director of the Liggins Institute from 2003 to 2007 and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) of the University of Auckland from 2008 to 2015. Since 2014, she has been the New Zealand Secretary for the Rhodes Trust, appointed by the Trust to select and mentor future generations of outstanding New Zealand leaders and scholars. Professor Harding chaired the Public Health Global Challenge Steering Group and has been a member of the Worldwide Universities Network's Academic Advisory Group, also chairing their Public Health Global Challenge Steering Group.
HONOURS
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Queen’s Birthday 2002
To be a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
POUTASI, Dr Karen Olive, CNZM
For services to education and the State
Dr Karen Poutasi was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006 for her services to health administration.
Dr Poutasi has worked as the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) since 2006. After spending 30 years in the health sector, she joined the education sector at a time when there were public concerns around the implementation of NZQA’s school qualifications framework. In her time as Chief Executive, public confidence in NZQA has increased, as has performance in school qualifications assessment. NZQA also quality assures the non-university tertiary education sector and administers the Codes of Pastoral Care. She is currently Commissioner of the Waikato District Health Board, as of May 2019. She is also Deputy Chair of the Crown-owned company Network for Learning and chairs the New Zealand Appointment Committee for Harkness Fellowships awarded by the Commonwealth Fund of New York. She was a panel member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry from 2016 to 2017. She is a member of Global Women New Zealand and has been Chair of Basketball New Zealand. From 2007 to 2011 Dr Poutasi volunteered on the Board of Presbyterian Support Central.
HONOURS
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Queen’s Birthday 2006
New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993
To be a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
RERITI-CROFTS, Mrs Aroha Hohipera, CBE, JP
For services to Māori and the community
Mrs Aroha Reriti-Crofts has been a member of Māori Women’s Welfare League since 1968, serving a term as National and International President from 1990 to 1993 and is a Life Member of the Otautahi Branch.
Since 1993 Mrs Reriti-Crofts has been a Trustee, Director and Chairperson of Māori Women’s Development Inc. She has been a Trustee of Partnership Health Canterbury and the Southern Regional Health Authority Board of Directors. She has been the Runanga Representative of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu representing Ngai Tuahuriri. She is Chairperson of Matapopore Charitable Trust, culturally advising and guiding developers in the re-build of Christchurch. She was Chairperson of Poutama Training Centre Trust and a Board member of the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation. She was Chairperson of Nga Maia Māori Midwives Trust and a member of the Management Committees for both Rakaia Māori Land Inc. and Mawhera Māori Land Inc. She was Supervisor of the Whānau Toko i te Ora Parenting Programme. She is a member of Te Ropu Whakaruruhau Breast Feeding Authority and Te Ropu Kawa Whakaruruhau at ARA. She was a member of the Whānau Reference Group for the Families Commission, Quest Rapuara, Māori Education Trust, Kohanga Reo National Trust, and Enterprise Waitaha. She was the Kaumātua and cultural advisor for the Queen Mary Hospital Group until its closure. Mrs Reriti-Crofts is currently a Trustee of Te Puawaitanga Maori Health Provider and Kaumatua of Waimakariri District Council.
HONOURS
Commander of the Order of the British Empire, New Year 1993