Traci Houpapa

[2] Houpapa grew up as one of four children on a sheep and beef farm in the King Country, in New Zealand's North Island.

Her father was active in campaigns to return Lands and Survey-operated properties back into Maori management in the 1980s.

[3] On finishing high school, she was advised to gain experience in a wide range of occupations, She subsequently worked as a tour guide on the Whanganui River, a rousey in a shearing gang, a lab technician and a social worker.

Houpapa then returned to the King Country and worked for her community Maori Trust Board as operations manager and then as chief executive.

[4][5] In the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours, Houpapa was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business and Māori.