Mr David Kent, of Kirwee, MNZM for services to the deaf and hard of hearing community
David Kent chairs the Southern Hearing Charitable Trust Board. He has campaigned for an increase in captioning for free-to-air television and digital media. He helped develop a Public Health Programme aimed at driving a change in the hearing health sector, with a focus on early intervention, healthy aging and reducing inequities for Māori and Pacific communities. He has increased available funding for adult cochlear implants for the Southern region. He was appointed to the ABLE – making media accessible national board. He is Deputy Chair of the National Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Mr Kent secured sponsorship for an annual scholarship with the Southern Hearing Charitable Trust.