It's not often that a go0d friend gets a King's Honour. But my friend Ronelle got one on Monday 1 June 2026.
Below are the things she's done (I've never known her as "Mrs Baker", but it will be her new nickname!) More importantly, let me tell you who she is.
Ronelle is one of those rare people who somehow manages to be humble and quietly confident at the same time.
She has been my friend, colleague, confidante and supporter for decades — someone whose wisdom, wit and kindness have meant more to me than I can easily say. She is brave without needing to announce it, profound without ever being grand, and gentle in a way that makes people feel safe, seen and valued.
She is also a loving parent and partner, generous with her time, her care and her fierce belief in others. Ronelle has a way of bringing depth, humour and humanity into every space she is part of.
I am so proud, and deeply grateful, to be part of her whānaunga.
Arohanui e hoa ataahua.
Mrs Ronelle Baker (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Apakua, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāpuhi, Ngātiwai) has contributed significantly to leadership and governance across the disability, health and child advocacy sectors, informed by her lived experience with muscular dystrophy.
Mrs Baker is a nationally recognised advocate for the wellbeing of people living with disabilities, particularly children. She has served in several governance roles, including as Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, as a member of the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Group, and as Trustee of Te Roopu Waiora Trust. She was a Commissioner and Board member for Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People’s Commission from 2023 to 2025, helping establish the Commission and implement legislation changes. She worked closely with the Chief Children’s Commissioner to ensure the Commission had a greater impact for mokopuna whaikaha, young people living with disabilities. She was Chair of Spectrum Care from 2022 to 2024, where her advocacy for disabled people and their whānau shaped the organisation’s governance decisions to better reflect the people they served. She has served in the Child Women and Family Services division of Waitematā District Health Board, the Community Empowerment Unit at Auckland Council, and at Statistics New Zealand Tatauranga Aotearoa. Mrs Baker is currently Kaihautū Chief Advisor Māori for Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People and serves on the Board for Community Law Marlborough.
