Popular Wellington Kaumatua Sam and June Jackson were acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this weekend.
This morning at very short notice people were called to the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust to celebrate this honour. Representing Greater Wellington Regional Council Lee Rauhina-August passed on the best wishes of Chair Fran Wilde, Chief Executive Dave Benham and the GW team, noting the many years of advice and sharing of tikanga and kaupapa Mori to the Wellington Regional Council from Sam and June.
“We know that we have a very special and important partnership with Mana Whenua of this region and much of that can be attributed to Uncle Sam and Aunty June for their knowledge, leadership and aroha ki te tangata,” said Ms Lee Rauhina-August.
Kaumatua Sam and June Jackson have earned their award for a lifetime spent helping their Wellington community – and the government – understand Maori traditions.
They credit each other for their success and Sam says they “think and move on the same wavelength”.
