Leith Pirika Comer says he feels deeply honoured to receive a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to Māori, governance and education in the New Year’s Honours – his second national honour in recent years.

“I am especially honoured and pleased, first of all, to be recommended for this award,” Mr Comer told the Beacon.

In 2018, Mr Comer (Te Arawa – Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Ngāti Pāhauwera) was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to Māori, the State and local government.

Now based in Rotorua, Mr Comer was born in Matatā and maintains strong ties to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, reflected in his governance and community leadership roles in the region.

“Although I lived a lot of my life away from Matatā, I am a Matata boy.”

Mr Comer lived in Matatā until the age of six.

After the death of his father, his mother remarried and the family moved first to Kawerau, where his stepfather, a carpenter, worked at the mill.

“We lived in Kawerau for a time and then we moved to Auckland, where I completed my education. But I had a grandmother and sister who lived in Matata, so it is both the spiritual and family home.”

He describes himself as being in the middle of his third career.

“My first career was as an Army officer. I spent 21 years in the Army, became a lieutenant colonel, and commanded a battalion. That was the platform for my participation and service.”

His military service led to a strong commitment to veterans’ advocacy.

He served as an inaugural trustee of the Fallen Heroes Trust, was chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Board from 2018 to 2024 and is a member of the Te Arawa Returned Services League.

Following his Army career, Mr Comer moved into governance and public service, holding numerous community and board roles.

These include membership of the Te Arawa Wallaby Kahui, Rotorua Area Primary Health Services Board, Te Arawa Emergency Housing Initiative, chairmanship of the Rotorua Golf Club, membership of the New Zealand Parole Board from 2014 to 2021, and service on the Oranga Tamariki chief executive’s complaints panel.

He also contributed to iwi-led economic development as a member of the Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Tarāwhai and Tūhourangi iwi consortium, advancing tourism opportunities around Tarawera.

Mr Comer spent a significant period in senior public service roles in Wellington.

“I spent 15 years as a deputy secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and 12 years as chief executive of Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development,” he said.

Around 12 years ago, he returned to the Bay of Plenty, becoming chair of Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, based in Matatā. In that role, he led negotiations that resulted in the Ngāti Rangitihi Treaty settlement with the Crown in 2022.

One of his current passions is chairing the Tarawera Awa Restoration Strategy Group, established as part of the settlement.

“We can’t leave the Matatā Lagoon as a stagnant lagoon. We have to recreate its flow, so it becomes a living, breathing water body,” he said.

A strong advocate for regional development and Māori economic empowerment, Mr Comer also highlights the importance of tertiary education. He serves on the council of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, which has responsibility for tertiary education across a wide area of the central North Island.

Reflecting on the honour, Mr Comer said no single achievement stood out.

“I don’t think I have done anything singly that is hugely outstanding. It’s the aggregation of activities over many years that has led to this.”

He credits a philosophy of active contribution.

“Wherever you are, you need to be involved. I would much rather be on the field playing than on the sideline criticising. I’m happy to be involved where I think I can add value.”

Mr Comer said he was grateful to those who nominated him and to the many people who supported him throughout his life.

“I’ve been fortunate in the number of people who have given me opportunities and encouragement along the way. I hope my contributions have been worthwhile.”