Te Ripowai has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her outstanding services to education and Māori. In her decades of service for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Te Ripowai has guided thousands of tauira Māori through their academic journeys.
Her connection to Te Herenga Waka and its marae started nearly 40 years ago. Beginning her career at the University in 1989 as a lecturer in the social work programme, her skill in te reo Māori and her extensive knowledge of tikanga and te ao Māori was recognised by the late Professor Sir Hirini Moko Mead—the University's first Professor of Māori studies.
He offered her a lectureship at Te Kawa a Māui, where she was later promoted to Senior Lecturer and held the position of head of school for six years. Te Ripowai then became the Taurima (Manager) and Ruahine (female cultural leader) of the marae, holding the role of Ruahine until she retired in 2016 after 27 years of service.
Te Ripowai was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in 2024 at the opening of Ngā Mokopuna.
Distinguished Alumni and Honorary fellow Sir Peter Boshier has been honoured with a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) for his services to the State and the Judiciary.
Over his years in service, Sir Peter rose through the Judiciary to become Principal Family Court Judge, later serving as a Law Commissioner, and then Chief Ombudsman from 2015 to 2025.
Sir Peter graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1975 and has since dedicated his professional life to making public institutions work better for New Zealanders.
Other alumni on the honours list have been recognised for a wide range of disciplines including the arts, science, and information technology/computer science.
We acknowledge and congratulate all our alumni and former staff of Te Herenga Waka who have been recognised in the 2026 Kings Birthday Honours:
Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM):
Peter Francis Boshier—for services to the State and the judiciary
Bachelor of Laws with Honours, 1975.
Professor Emeritus James William Chapman—for services to medical science.
Bachelor of Arts, 1971.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours, 1972.
Master of Arts, 1974.
To be Companions of the said Order (CNZM):
Hilary Anne Souter—for services to the advertising industry.
Bachelor of arts, 1989.
To be Officers of the said Order (ONZM):
Dr Te Ripowai Pauline Higgins, QSM—for services to education and Māori.
Former staff member at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Diploma of Māori, 1991.
Trevor David Janes—for services to business and public sector governance.
Bachelor of Computer Applications, 1967.
Adrienne Anne Jansen—for services to writing and publishing.
Bachelor of Arts, 1968.
Master of Arts with Honours, 1969.
Dr Michael Brian Johnston—for services to education.
Former staff member at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellinton
Bachelor of Science, 1989.
To be Members of the said Order (MNZM):
Sumati Govind—for services to governance and the community.
Bachelor of Science, 1981.
Bachelor of Computer Applications, 1989.
To be a Companion of the King’s Service Order (KSO)
Robyn Mary Hunt—for services to people with disabilities and the arts.
Bachelor of Arts, 1971.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours, 1981.
Carolyn Doreen Tremain—for services to the Public Service.
Bachelor of Arts, 1989.
The King's Service Medal (KSM)
Mary Catherine Gow—for services to music.
Bachelor of Arts, 1975.
Bachelor of Music, 1977.
Johanna (Hanny) Elisabeth Naus
Bachelor of Arts, 1977.
Master of Arts, 1989.