🏅 Suzanne Porter of New Plymouth has officially received her insignia as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her decades of outstanding contribution to the regional arts and events industry.
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro presented the award during an investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington on Friday afternoon.
Porter was named in the 2026 New Year Honours List following her extensive tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT). Throughout her career, she has been a driving force behind major regional events, helping position Taranaki as a premier cultural hub.
A statement released by the Govener-General reads:
"Ms Suzanne Porter was Project Manager for the development of Puke Ariki, a museum, library and information centre in Taranaki.
As Chief Executive of the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT), she has been instrumental in establishing New Plymouth as a national and international destination through events such as WOMAD Aotearoa, the Taranaki Arts Festival, and the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival.
She has led more than 60 major events, generating significant economic benefits for the region.
Her commitment to sustainability has ensured all TAFT events are zero-waste and accessible to communities through local schools, marae and halls.
Ms Porter’s leadership contributed to New Plymouth winning the World’s Most Liveable Small City Award in 2008 and 2021 and to Lonely Planet naming Taranaki among the world’s top destinations in 2017."
