A Ngati Tuwharetoa woman who has been a longtime stalwart of Maori wellbeing has been awarded a top royal role.
Maori King Tuheitia has appointed Dame June Mariu to be a patron of Maori public health provider Hapai Te Hauora. She was presented with a royal warrant during a special ceremony in Auckland today.
Hapai Te Hauora chief executive Lance Norman says it's a significant step in improving Maori ownership of Maori health.
He says Dame June will feed information back to the king so he can consider Maori health priorities at his events and in his circle of influence.
Dame June, a former Silver Fern, is the national co-ordinator for Aotearoa Maori Netball. Other roles have included national co-ordinator of Te Hotu Manawa Maori (Maori Heartbeat), and president of the Maori Women's Development Fund.
