Nga Whetu Kanapa
Te Ao Māramatanga – New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses Whetū Kanapa Award
The Biennial Whetū Kanapa Award honours career long contribution in the field of Māori mental health nursing as acknowledged by their peers. Held in conjunction with the College’s Biennial Wananga the Award was first held at Tangatarua Marae in Rotorua in 2012 with an investiture of five inaugural recipients. In 2014 a further four nurses were honoured at a special ceremony evening held Makaurau Marae, Mangere, South Auckland.
Whetū Kanapa, brilliant and gleaming stars, personify Māreikura and Whatukura. They are living aspirations for all.
| 2012 – Rotorua (Inaugural) | Iwi | Place of Training |
| Timoti George | Te Arawa | Oakley Hospital |
| Mere Hammond | Ngāti Kahungungu | Porirua Hospital |
| Robert Elliot | Ngāti Maniapoto, Hauraki | Tokanui Hospital |
| Ronald Baker | Ngāti Porou | Carrington Hospital |
| Jamesina Kett | Ngāti Koata | Tokanui Hospital |
| 2014 – Tamaki Makaura | Iwi | Place of Training |
| Ora Guptil | Ngāti Pukenga ki Waiau | Oakley/Carrington Hospital |
| Moe Milne | Ngāti Hine, Ngā Puhi Nui Tonu | Ngawhatu Hospital |
| Winston Maniapoto | Ngāti Pare Te Kawa, Ngāti Maniapoto | Porirua Hospital |
| Charles McCarthy | Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Te Atihaunui a Paparangi | Porirua Hospital |
| 2016 – Nelson | Iwi | Place of Training |
| Huia Elkington | Porirua Hospital | |
| Mere Balzer | Ngāti Raukawa, Ngati Ranginui | Tokanui Hospital |
| Kathleen Mohi | Ngāti Porou | Tokanui Hospital |
| Ray Watson | Te Atiawa, Ngāti Rarua, Kaitahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha | Dunedin School of Nursing |
| 2018 – Porirua | Iwi | Place of Training |
| Nora Kofler | Ngāti Tūwharetoa | Porirua Hospital |
| Areta Koopu | Ngāti Kahungungu | Porirua Hospital |
| Simon Phillips | Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atiawa, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua | Porirua Hospital |
| Nicola Ehau | Ngāti Porou | Carrington Hospital |
| Wikepa Keelan | Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu | Porirua Hospital |