Koanga Institute co-founder and director Kay Baxter has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to conservation and sustainable food production.
As one of New Zealand's best-known organic gardening pioneers Ms Baxter is a woman of many talents, having been a permaculture designer, teacher, grower, collector and ardent fan for many years.
Ms Baxter said the recognition reflected one step towards her ecological work entering a "mainstream conscious".
"The most overwhelming feelings for me is that finally, after all of these years, there's recognition that the work we do is important. It gives me a glimmer of hope for the future and it's also validating for all the people that have done voluntary work," she said.
Located in Wairoa, Koanga Institute has been operational for 30 years and holds the title of New Zealand's first national initiative to collect and save New Zealand heritage food plants.