A Ngati Tuwharetoa woman who has played an active role in the Maori Women's Welfare League, urban Maori affairs, justice and netball has been awarded a Queen's Birthday honour.
Mabel June Hinekahukura Mariu was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
For more than 40 years, Dame June has devoted herself to her community - particularly supporting wahine Maori and students struggling with mainstream education.
She has held many key roles, including national president of the Maori Women's Welfare League (1987-90), chairperson of Te Whanau o Waipareira and a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission.
Dame June was also national co-ordinator of Te Hotu Manawa Maori (Maori Heartbeat) and a former president of the Maori Women's Development Fund.
Most recently, she was appointed as a lay advocate working in west Auckland with young people and their whanau at the Rangatahi Court based at Hoani Waititi Marae.
Dame June is currently the national co-ordinator for Aotearoa Maori Netball.
The Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit will be added to her 2006 Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori and the community, along with four other prestigious honours.
