Ceremony held in Hastings for QSM recipient

Rehia Hanara was presented her Queen's Service Medal by Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst at a ceremony at Omahu Marae on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

A Hastings woman received her Queen's Service Medal for services to Maori and education at a ceremony at Omahu Marae on Saturday.

More than 200 people attended the investiture for Rehia Hanara (pictured with her medal) who was awarded the medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

At 84 years old Mrs Hanara said she was not able to attend an official ceremony in Wellington but was pleased to receive the medal from Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst at her marae.

Ms Hazlehurst said she was honoured to be able to present the medal at her first official engagement as mayor.

Mrs Hanara played a vital part in the establishment of the first kohanga reo in the Ngati Kahungunu tribal district on Omahu Marae in 1981.

She is currently kuia and kaikaranga for Ngati Kahungunu and was involved in fundraising for the construction of the Omahu Marae wharekai, which was opened in 1990.

She was also involved with the Omahu Maori Committee.