Arapera Royal Tangaere CNZM (born 1950)[1] is a New Zealand early childhood education leader and advocate for the Māori language.

In 2022 Royal Tangaere was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and education.

Royal Tangaere is Māori, and affiliates to Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa and Kai Tahu iwi.

Kōhanga reo are early childhood programmes that provide education to children up to the age of 6 years in a Māori language environment.

[8] In the 2022 New Year Honours Royal Tangaere was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and education.