29 August 2025

Safeguarding Tongariro for future generations, improving pay for kaimahi in participating kōhanga reo, and bringing Te Tiriti o Waitangi to life through a uniquely tikanga-led justice approach – these initatives are supporting Māori Crown relationships through kōwhiringa (opportunities), auahatanga (innovation) and whakapūmautanga (durability).

Te Tohu mō Whai Ratonga | Māori Crown Award at Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards celebrates these outstanding public service contributions to Māori Crown relationships and initiatives that demonstrate impact for iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori.

Read more about this year's finalists; Tongariro Alpine Crossing Sustainability Project, Te Kāhui Tātari Ture (Te Kāhui) | Criminal Cases Review Commission, and the Kōhanga Reo Kaimahi Pay Scheme.

Tikanga at the heart of justice reform

Te Kāhui Tātari Ture (Te Kāhui) | Criminal Cases Review Commission is an independent Crown entity that reviews possible miscarriages of justice – it is unique in New Zealand and one of the few agencies that do this in the world. 

Te Kāhui embeds tikanga at its core, shaping investigations, decisions, recruitment, engagement,  and care for mōrehu | survivors and kaimahi | staff.

Mana, whanaungatanga | relationships and aroha | compassion guide how Te Kāhui engages with tangata whaiture | applicants and their whānau | families. 

This includes wānanga-style hui with whakawhanaungatanga, karakia and kai and communications kanohi ki te kanohi | face to face with space to kōrero.

This approach restores trust and mana and brings Te Tiriti o Waitangi to life through a uniquely tikanga-led justice approach that benefits all New Zealanders. 

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Sustainability Project

More than 100,000 people walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC) each year, placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, the environment, and cultural values of the area. 

To manage these impacts, the Department of Conservation works in partnership with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to deliver interventions through culturally grounded, sustainable practices that emphasise manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga. 

Key interventions include a voluntary booking system, pre-visit cultural and safety briefings, cultural installations, welcome on arrival from Manaaki Rangers, and annual wānanga to build cultural capability among TAC concessionaires. 

The partnership fosters Māori leadership, protects a taonga, and improves outcomes for whānau and the environment – ensuring Tongariro is safeguarded for future generations. 

Kōhanga Reo Kaimahi Pay Scheme

Developed by the Ministry of Education and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the Kōhanga Reo Kaimahi Pay Scheme delivers pay improvements that are aligned to the kaupapa and context of kōhanga reo.

It supports the Trust’s strategic goals of growing mokopuna participation and strengthening te reo Māori in kōhanga.

The initiative is a practical example of partnership with Māori which improves the lives of whānau by improving pay for kaimahi in participating kōhanga reo.

The scheme helps attract and retain kaimahi, supports the sustainability of the kōhanga movement and ensures kōhanga reo remain accessible to whānau Māori.

Kōhanga reo are the foundation of the kaupapa Māori education pathway and are critical to the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

About Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards

Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards recognise initiatives that deliver great outcomes for New Zealand and New Zealanders. Three categories also recognise exceptional individuals. The winners will be announced on Thursday 4 September.

The awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors ANZSOG – The Australia and New Zealand School of Government, DXC Technology Australia and New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington School of Government, Westpac New Zealand, and Deloitte.

For more information, check out our Spirit of Service Awards page.

Spirit of Service Awards