Bahá’í honoured for promoting te reo Māori on radio

George Burt, a Bahá’í in Aotearoa, has recently been appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The Universal House of Justice sent a letter of congratulations on 21 January 2020.

Dear Bahá’í Friends

The Universal House of Justice has received with warm appreciation your email letter dated 8 January 2020 (9 Sharaf 176), regarding the New Zealand Order of Merit awarded to Mr. George Burt, who has been recognized for promoting the Māori language and the well-being of the Māori society in New Zealand. Kindly convey to Mr. Burt the congratulations of the House of Justice and assure him of its supplications at the Sacred Threshold that he may be surrounded by the divine bounties of the Blessed Beauty and ever guided and assisted in his efforts to serve humanity.

[Signed: Department of the Secretariat]

The National Assembly had reported this news to the Universal House of Justice:

Dear Supreme Institution

We are happy to report that a member of the New Zealand Bahá’í community, Mr George Burt, has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s New Year Honours.

According to an official description: “The New Zealand Order of Merit was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 30 May 1996. The Order is awarded to those ‘who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits’.”

Please find attached a newspaper article about Mr Burt and the work which he has been recognised for, in the fields of promoting Māori language and the wellbeing of Māori society, particularly through the medium of radio. Also attached is a letter of congratulations that the National Assembly has sent to Mr Burt.

We trust that this news will be received with pleasure by the Universal House of Justice.

[Signed: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand]

George is the husband of Mabel Wharekawa-Burt, a believer who is also a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, having been appointed in 2009 for services to the performing arts and the community.

The Bay of Plenty Times published an article on George’s services under the heading: “Walking in a Māori world George 'Papa' Burt receives MNZM”